DS OR VS IN IL - WHO AND WHERE??

Hey there....I know I have asked this before but I can not find the info.

Have any of you in Illinois had either the DS or the VS WLS?

if you have.....could you tell me where and with which doctor?

I am doing some research into a possible revision and would love some information.

Also....if you had insurance...what kind and what was the requirements if any of you had revision.

I know I posted similar responses a week or so ago....just hoping to see if I can get some more.

Thanks....all the help is appreciated.

I may have responded to you a few weeks ago, so this may be old news.

There are not many people who post here in the Illinois forum who have had the DS. Most people here seem to have had the RNY or band. You may want to post your question on the DS forum. There are a bunch of people there who have had their DS in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Several have used Dr. Alverdy/Dr. Prachand at U of C for their VSG or DS and have had good results. I think they require a BMI of more than 50. Many other surgeons require BMI of 35 and some serious comorbidities. 

I had my amazing and wonderful DS in San Francisco with John Rabkin. He is one of the best in the country on complicated revisions. He does a monthly information session and support group here in Chicago. The next one is Monday October 20, from 6-8 p.m. at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604. As a private club, they do have a dress code--no jeans/denim, shorts, etc. Nice business casual is fine.

Drop by and sit in for the info session (45 min to 1 hour), and then sit in on the support group meeting in the second hour. You can get your questions answered and have your revision questions answered. There is NO pressue to buy!! (Call his office at 1-888-848-8446 to make sure he will be at the meeting personally this month if you are interested in meeting him--he misses a few a year, due to schedule conflicts, but another Paclap team member comes, like the psych or RN to talk about an area in their expertise and give the newbie session.)

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I was NOT a revision, but my insurance info is at this link:

Long and Only Semi-Winding Insurance Road--Jan 4, 2008

Good luck!

Nicolle