Does anyone in Iowa do the Duodenal Switch?

Does anyone know??  I have been looking at that as the surgery I'd like to have. I don't look forward to going to Chicago though...

I was interested in that route also. I thought there was a surgeon in Peoria but I could be wrong. Either way my insurance wouldn't pay for a DS so I went the RNY route.....
Good Luck!

Hi Jessica,    I too am looking at that route but only saw a surgeon in Chicago. Are you happy with the route you went with? My insurance will go either way but if something should happen and I need medical attention, I did not want to put my husband in the position of taking me back to Chicago. Mysister and brother in law have both had the surgery and surgeon you had. I am currently waiting for approval from my insurance for the RNY whit Genisis. I started out wanting to have the lapband but was told that I was not a candidate for it due to the severity of my reflux. May I ask what was it about the DS that made you perfer it? Thank you very much in advance, Kim

Hi there!
Well look at you, just a hop away from me here in Davenport! I was actually in Wilton yesterday (driving through of course lol).
Some would definitely disagree with me.. but my first thought after coming home from my RNY was "boy am I glad my surgeon is near"... I couldn't imagine having surgery out of town or south of the border! It was a huge comfort having Teresa and Kathy readily available if I needed them.
I go back and forth with the DS. Somedays I wished I researched it more, other days I'm glad I'm not "one of them" LOL if you know what I mean..... If you read the main board its been nothing but a RNY vs DS battle and those people can be just plain ugly hearted. Anyways.. the thing that attracted me to the DS was the ability to eat more "normal". However....I really don't think it is the best fit for me. I'm doing great with my RNY so far, and I'm glad I chose it! I am 58 lbs. down and 3 months out. I have severe reflux and haven't had it since! I was also able to go off of my blood pressure meds and I have normal blood pressure!!!
If you have any questions let me know.... I'm sticking by my RNY

Jessica

Hi there Im from the Decorah Iowa area...and I had the Ds/bpd done on 2/20/03 in Mpls MN. I was 505 and am 280.  I have severe thyroid disease and lymphoedema and my doc didnt think Id even see 300 but I did. I have a huge hernia that needs repaired and a lot of excess skin to remove and after all of that, I know I would be at my goal I made almost 5 yrs ago...250#!! I LOVE the DS and the life it gave me back.  There is a DS message board on here...check it ouf if interested. I would love to answer any questions or talk to you about it and my experiences if you would like too. Just let me know! Lisa

Hi! 

I am from Iowa (Grinnell) and was wanting surgery with Dr. Coster - unfortunately, he doesn't do the DS, and that's the surgery I knew I wanted.  I ended up going to Ohio and had my DS with Dr. Brian Lane of Bowling Green (I was a self-payer, my insurance wouldn't cover me).  He had a good,straightforward payment plan and I was able to swing the initial cost he requested.

It is important to note, however, that if you go out of state, Dr. Lane requires you to remain in Bowling Green for two or more weeks - he wants to make sure that if you develop complications, you can get to him right away.  I think any surgeon worth his salt will require this of you.

Another close option for the DS is Gary Anthone in Omaha. 

Good luck!

Sarah