Revision from Lapband to DS

different surgeons have different requirements. Some will do consultatios over the phone and have you do all, or almost all, your pre-op testing locally, others insist on in person consults and doing various tests themselves. You will need to ask the office staff of each surgeon what he will or will not accept.

As far as surgeons near you go, check the list on dsfacts, but frankly there aren't a lot of "local" options for you. There is Dr. Simper in Utah, and Dr. Keshishian and Dr Rabkin in CA, not exactly local but the best I can do. Be careful about surgeons who either say they offer the DS but really don't (known around here as "bait and don't switch), just to get you in the door, and also be careful about surgeons offering the SADI (single loop DS) which most of us don't feel is a true DS, and which is experimental, longterm results unknown, and probably not covered by your insurance (though your surgeon might code it as a DS to get it covered)

Larra

HI!  I am in Colorado too in the same boat!.  Dr. Metz was the surgeon who did my VSG in 2009.  I lost a lot of weight, but have gained it back, because the VSG (at least for me) did not keep restriction.  And, that is what we are learning for those of us that are 5 years out or more.  And, before I get eaten for lunch by VSG'ers out there that are lucky enough to be the minority, that's awesome.  But, many many many VSG patients gain it back over long term.  Same thing with lap band.  The VSG stretches over time, for some of us, it is as if we never had surgery at all, I cannot tell the difference anymore.  Clearly, I need more than VSG alone.  I wanted DS back then, but I got scared and let myself get talked into just the VSG.  Regrets.

I paid $16000 then for Metz to do a VSG, I thought he was a fantastic guy, absolutely great bedside manner.  With Dr. Metz himself, I have no complaints.  But, I didn't get treated well in the hospital and booted out too early.  And, for $16000 ca****hought I would get more care for my money.

Now, I am scheduled for a DS with Ungson, who by the way, is The ONLY Mexico doctor I would even consider now with Aceves' passing.  The DS is no joke and it cannot get screwed up.   I will be paying $14000 cash if he considers it a revision, which it technically is.   There are doctors there that will do it for as little as $6000 but to me, this is not something I am willing to skimp on.  There are doctors in California, Dr. Rabkin, who has fantastic reviews and revision success.  His cash price was $27000 but he will only do a revision open surgery, which is one of the biggest deciding factors in favor of Ungson for me. 

Also, consider Metz does not do the traditional DS, he does a "one loop" DS version of the DS.  I don't know much about it, but it may or may not have the same long term results.  And, in Colorado, he is the ONLY doctor who does the DS and then again, he does a modified version of it, so who knows, you might still end up with something you didn't want.

I am an advocate of self pay when it comes to road blocks.  So, I might be biased in this area.  My insurance won't pay for it, not even consider it.  Fine.  But, your money belongs to you to do with what you please.  Your health and happiness is something you cannot put a price tag on.  I get frustrated when people give me grief over what I am willing to spend and I cannot see that logic.  I am a prisoner to my weight and the health problems I have not are not going away and they will get worse and they will kill me.  I can't take the money with me to the grave and my earning power is of no use to my kids if I am dead.  So, why not take matters into my own hands?  Makes every bit of sense in my mind. 

Anyways, good luck!!!  If you do see Dr. Metz, you will most likely like him.  He is adorably sweet and a good surgeon. 

HI!

I'm just shocked there are not more options in the Denver area.  I found a number of doctors that noted that they performed the procedure, but upon speaking with them, I got one song and dance after another.  

If you were interested in the "one loop" DS version, would Dr. Metz be willing to perform it?  I guess I will need to do some research on that procedure.  I do have a consultation with him next week.  I'm skeptical due to the fact that the person I spoke with on the phone said that it is very unlikely I would be approved for DS without being over 50 BMI or having type II diabetes.  

I am still waiting to hear back from Dr. Ungson.  Obviously if I can avoid it, self pay will be my last option. Did you have an initial in person consultation with him or is everything being handled remotely?  This is one of my general concerns, even if I consider a doctor in California or possibly Utah.  

I am in complete agreement with you about how you spend your money.  I am a prisoner to my weight and I don't want to continue to live like this.  I save myself the hearing the grief of others, simply by not sharing my intentions with anyone but my husband.  Fortunately, he is my number one supporter.  

Thank you again for your feedback and advice.  I sincerely appreciate it!

Tina

I have not met Dr. Ungson personally, he has emailed me and his patient coordinator emails me daily whenever I have questions.  That was one of my biggest concerns too, meeting first.  It is an option for me, but that would mean 2 sets of airline tickets.  With Dr. Aceves' passing away, Dr Ungson has also taken on many of his patients, so he may not get back to you right away, hopefully he will.  I was torn between Rabkin and Ungson.  The main reasons I am choosing Ungson is of course cost, but also, he is the only surgeon I have spoken with that says that they can and will do this laproscopically, Rabkin said it would be open surgery, which scares me so much. 

And, for a DS a 40 BMI is enough.  I have a 41 BMI and I qualify.  I qualify because I have a failed VSG and some comorbidities.  Maybe it isn't enough to qualify with the insurance company, that might be different.  But as a self pay, 40 is enough for sure.

Dr. Metz is not an aggressive surgeon, he is very cautious and I am not sure if he would have done it.  I didn't ask him once I found out that what he does do for a DS is not the traditional DS, and that is what I want. 

I have had nothing but grief from others aside from my hubby who is supportive.  But, I work at a medical clinic and got a lecture about going to Mexico.  I have gotten lectures about doing a second surgery in general, my own PCP is not on board with me going to Dr. Ungson.  That type of negativity gets to me and instills fear that wasn't there before. 

Let me know what Dr. Metz says, I am curious now. :) Anna.