Dee from Dennis Smith Office

 does anyone know about Dr. Smith getting in network with United?  I am going to call today and see what they have to say.  

Hello zabs

I don't think that it's a matter of Dr. Smith getting/being in the network with UHC. I think it about UHC expanding the Bariatric hospital to include the hospital that Dr. Dennis work out of.  Remember UHC only cover 2 hospital in Atlanta (Emory Johns Creek, and Atlanta Medical Center) so if UHC do not add anymore hospital then you will have to use doctors listed at the 2 hospital I listed. (which my limit you surgery options) Which SUCKS BIG TIME.  My bariatric nurse told me yesterday that I was not allowed to go out of state to have the surgery. I don't know if she knows what the hell she's talking about, I will find out more information on this one!

I'll keep you updated on my finding

Izzy

Unsolicited advice from someone who has not yet had surgery.  Before you make a decision on which surgery to have, go to the DS forum and and the Revision forum and read, read, and read some more.  Do not depend on your doctor to make a decision on which surgery for you.  You need to make that decision based on which procedure you can live with.  I will be going the DS route because I want to drink with my meals, and I don't want to stay on a diet for the remainder of my life.  Now - there are many more reasons, but those were the main two that guided me to the DS. 

Someone asked why the DS isn't performed more often.  It takes more education and more experience for the doctor, and you can crank out RNY's and other surgeries quicker than DS and therefore earn more money.  I would never tell anyone which surgery they should have, but I just can't imagine why anyone would chose a surgery other than DS - just like I can't undestand anyone having open vs lap surgery - unless you need to be opened for a reason. 

Go to the DS forum and post and gain knowledge.  Then go to the revision forum and see which surgeries are being revised.  There are several that have just had revisions on the DS board (to DS) and I'm sure they'll answer any questions that you have. 

As for doctors in Georgia - Dr. Smith would be my only choice.  Dr. Maynard performs open surgery, Dr. Smith performs lap. 

Please don't let your doctor make up your mind for you - - - you need to research enough to make up your own mind of what you can live with.  Good luck!

Gwen

Gwen - I wanted the DS as well but did not qualify for that procedure so I ended up with the RNY...I don't regret the decision -- right now I'm 19 lbs from goal and it has been great so far.  Dr. Smith and the entire team is the best...
-Carla

Cpcampbell

Highest Weight = 206 lbs.
Surgery Weight = 185.6 lbs.
Current Weight = 149 lbs.
Goal Weight = 130 lbs. (5'1")

Forgot to ask - - - the seminar on 11 Feb - - do you have the time of the meeting? 
Thanks!
Gwen

Hey Ahari,
I just want to add to what Gwen said. Also check out he WLS regrets forum. I found that on both the revision and regret forums, there were no DSers there except to give advise and support.

This is a major decision and you want to make the right one for you. Your off to a good start by choosing Dr Smith, Dee is awesome and wait till you meet Julia.

I chose the DS because of No dumping, No marginal ulcers, No stoma, No vomiting, No chewing food to mush, No foreign object in my body, No fills and unfills, No sliming, No pbing, No calorie watching(malabsorbtion), No fa****ching (only 20% is absorbed), Drinking with meals is okay, Taking NSAIDs is okay, Higher percent of excess weight loss and less percent of regain.

The musts with the DS are eat your protien firs****ch your carbs, drink your water, get your labs and take your supplements.

This is a better fit for me. The VSG is the stomach part of the DS. Maybe you can talk to Dr Smith about starting with the VSG and if the results are not as you hoped, you could get the intestine part done.

Sorry to go on and on. Didn't mean to do that. Dr Smith will be perfect to help you choose what is best for you and your life.

Good Luck and Take Care

Amen Jill  !!!!!!

Couldn't have said it better myself. I know 100% this is the surgery for me. After doing my resarch I wouldn't even consider any of the other procedures.   I am not an official DS advocate, but It really seems like a miracle procedure.

I know it may not be for everyone, but it is definitely for me.

I look at the revision board too and you're right. You NEVER hear of DS patients wanting revisions. The other boards are always complaining about this side effect or the other. Not saying DS is foolproof, but it seems a lot more tolerable than the other procedures.

OPPS, Double post.
Crazy computer problems.
Sorry

Ditto what Blue Rose said! 

Dee was exceptional in getting all of my paperwork pushed through in a very timely manner.  You will love Dr. Smith's presentation.  Most of the ones I have been to are done by a nurse.  Dr. Smith does part of the presentation himself.  I have no complaints with the administrative or surgical part of my experience!

By the way, when I went to the seminar there was no locking of doors.  They may have changed, but that doesn't sound like their m.o.

Ahari, the ENTIRE staff of Dr. Smith is great.  I really have enjoyed working with all of them.  Dee and Julia answered so MANY questions and they were so nice.  I did my research as well and for many reasons other than Dr. Smith being THE best (in my opinion) I selected him and hi team to handle my surgery.  I'm almost 6 months out and 19 lbs from goal and the hoorays and support they give me is undescribable.  

Please keep us posted as you progress, okay?  BTW:  are you in the Marietta or Sandy Springs area?

-Carla

Cpcampbell

Highest Weight = 206 lbs.
Surgery Weight = 185.6 lbs.
Current Weight = 149 lbs.
Goal Weight = 130 lbs. (5'1")