chicago ds'ers dr alveredy or prichard
Hi, Alexus! I think I am the only DSer who hangs out on the Illinois board lately.
Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for YOUR info needs, I went to San Francisco to have Dr. Rabkin do my DS. Check out the DS forum here on OH and post your question there. There are several active U of C patients there and I'm sure they would love to help you with info.
Some U of C patient profiles to check out/people to PM here on OH would be:
biggeekgirl
justamy
Sandra N.
Julia K
It seems the U of C doc's office is not super-quick on the response side and they have some hoops you have to get though to get a DS. The gossip/scuttlebutt that we have heard about them on the DS board is that they are super-strict about who gets the DS there--you must have a higher BMI, 50+ (which should not be a problem for you, given your ticker) and be super-knowledgeable about the DS and the post-op lifestyle.
For example, Prachand will not give the DS to someone who thinks they can just take a multivitamin and be okay the rest of their lives. You have to demonstrate to Dr. Prachand that you are going to be compliant with supplementation, getting regular labs drawn and getting in your protein. If you cannot, they will tell you that you should have the RNY or LapBand--that's just the way they work there. They respect the power of the DS (often called the "bazooka of WLS") and want to minimize risk by cutting out the people they think will not be compliant, which is actually pretty smart. I guess non-compliance is bad to do with the other WLSes, but probably not fatal, like with the DS.
So I guess what I am saying is that when you have your consult with U of C, have all of your ducks in a row and prove that you know the immense rewards and potential risks of the DS. Or else you will end up with a recommendation for another surgey, one that might not get you where you want to go, health and weight-wise.
If you'd like to meet my surgeon, Dr. Rabkin, please come to our next monthly meeting on Monday December 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the Chicago Union League Club, 65 W Jackson in Chicago. The first hour is an info session with him for newbies and the second hour you will get to meet DSers like me and ask any questions--even personal stuff--you want about the post-op lifestyle, etc. Dr. Rabkin has lots of Chicago patients and comes to town monthly for our support group meetings--he's great! (There are some DSers from U of C who come to our meetings on occasion, too, as they find the support missing at U of C).
As to me, I love my DS. As long as I follow the basic rules--eat lots of protein, take my few supplements--I can eat what I want with NO ill side effects. I am 9 months out and I have lost 160 pounds and I feel fantastic. I have about 40 more to go, so I was in the same boat as you, weight-wise. So far, my lab values are good. (I am getting my 9 month lab results soon, so we'll have to see if my good fortune continues!)
With 200 pounds to lose, and if you will be compliant, then I think the DS can be an excellent choice for you. If you have any questions, please visit my profile here or feel free to PM me.
Good luck!
Nicolle
Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for YOUR info needs, I went to San Francisco to have Dr. Rabkin do my DS. Check out the DS forum here on OH and post your question there. There are several active U of C patients there and I'm sure they would love to help you with info.
Some U of C patient profiles to check out/people to PM here on OH would be:
biggeekgirl
justamy
Sandra N.
Julia K
It seems the U of C doc's office is not super-quick on the response side and they have some hoops you have to get though to get a DS. The gossip/scuttlebutt that we have heard about them on the DS board is that they are super-strict about who gets the DS there--you must have a higher BMI, 50+ (which should not be a problem for you, given your ticker) and be super-knowledgeable about the DS and the post-op lifestyle.
For example, Prachand will not give the DS to someone who thinks they can just take a multivitamin and be okay the rest of their lives. You have to demonstrate to Dr. Prachand that you are going to be compliant with supplementation, getting regular labs drawn and getting in your protein. If you cannot, they will tell you that you should have the RNY or LapBand--that's just the way they work there. They respect the power of the DS (often called the "bazooka of WLS") and want to minimize risk by cutting out the people they think will not be compliant, which is actually pretty smart. I guess non-compliance is bad to do with the other WLSes, but probably not fatal, like with the DS.
So I guess what I am saying is that when you have your consult with U of C, have all of your ducks in a row and prove that you know the immense rewards and potential risks of the DS. Or else you will end up with a recommendation for another surgey, one that might not get you where you want to go, health and weight-wise.
If you'd like to meet my surgeon, Dr. Rabkin, please come to our next monthly meeting on Monday December 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the Chicago Union League Club, 65 W Jackson in Chicago. The first hour is an info session with him for newbies and the second hour you will get to meet DSers like me and ask any questions--even personal stuff--you want about the post-op lifestyle, etc. Dr. Rabkin has lots of Chicago patients and comes to town monthly for our support group meetings--he's great! (There are some DSers from U of C who come to our meetings on occasion, too, as they find the support missing at U of C).
As to me, I love my DS. As long as I follow the basic rules--eat lots of protein, take my few supplements--I can eat what I want with NO ill side effects. I am 9 months out and I have lost 160 pounds and I feel fantastic. I have about 40 more to go, so I was in the same boat as you, weight-wise. So far, my lab values are good. (I am getting my 9 month lab results soon, so we'll have to see if my good fortune continues!)
With 200 pounds to lose, and if you will be compliant, then I think the DS can be an excellent choice for you. If you have any questions, please visit my profile here or feel free to PM me.
Good luck!
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
My husband had his DS with Dr. Alverdy, and they have a great team there. I agree that they have some hoops to go through, but I also agree with the other post that there are some very good reasons for that. I had my surgery (RNY) with another doctor, but due to some complications I had to have my RNY reversed, and I went to Dr. Alverdy, he has been very good. I hope this helps!
Jules RNY 10/30/2007
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