Brother needs a surgeon, please.

Hi everyone. I don't want to start anything. I just need information. Anyone know of a surgeon near St. Louis that does the Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch? This website is the pits as far as not having the correct information. They ([email protected]) told me to go to the boards and get what I needed. Thank You!!!

I guess he's not willing to travel to your (and soon to be my) doctor, Dr. Rabkin. How about Alverdy/Prachand at U of Chicago? For more info, check out www.duodenalswitch.com. I see none listed for Missouri. Nicolle

The Rabkins, Feng, Cirangle or Jossart in CA are not BC/BS Federal preferred providers. So, his cost will be more than he can afford. And one daughter lives in St. Louis, one in San Jose and one in Sacramento, so, he is trying to save money, stay with them and not get a hotel. Thanks.

The problem he will have is with post-op support.  He really needs to find a surgeon in his area that can follow him throughout his journey not just for the surgery itself. Just my $.02. Why don't you see who is certified.  He can contact BCBS and they will tell him

Is he dead set about doing the DS?  I had RNY and had a wonderful doctor!  Just curious.

This is just my 2 cents worth also. Well, the best bet for you to do is look on this site for names of surgeons that are in IL, MO or IN that do DS. There really are not many in any of these states. I am not sure what you mean by "not having the correct information . . ."  I am afraid that I am in agreement with OH about you going to the boards for the info. This site can only pass on the information that is given to them. If there are doctors out there that do not want to participate in being members but they do bariatric surgery there is nothing that OH can do about that, OH really cannot provide information about them if they do not want to give. That would be a violation of their rights also. Is there really a sound reason why your brother has to have the DS? There are a ton of people on this board that have had the band or RNY (both myself and my husband 4+ yrs out) and we have been really successful. We are not freaks because we can only eat 1/2 cup at a meal. This has been a life saver for many of us.  Christine