Looking for a meanor

i would kind of here had folks experinces havebeen with DS? I am considering this an d dont hear too much about it. I was looking for someone who could kind of be my guide and the what cah i expect kind of friend. I am pretty nervous and thought if i had a friend going thru this ahead os me it might really be a source of comfort!! Any volunteers?? Thank you, Julia

I haven't had the switch. I had RNY. I think my surgeon, though, Dr. Inman, is the only one in the area that does DS. I would wonder if you contacted St. Vincent's, where she works out of, if they could put you in touch with some DS patients? Just an idea. Linda Vicory P.S. Welcome!

Julia, Have you had a consult with Dr. Inman yet to confirm that the DS is best for you? As Linda said, Dr. Inman is the only one that I know of who performs the DS. She is considered an excellent surgeon and from the feedback on here, I would say you would be in very competent hands. If you have had your consult, please start attending the St. Vincent support group meetings. The one that is during the 2nd week of the month (north Indy) is usually not as crowded as the one the 1st week of the month..which would afford you some opportunities to talk with others who have also had the DS. As you probably have noticed, the majority of the people on here have had RNY. I believe that any issues that a DS post-op may experience are pretty similar to that in which a RNY post-op does with the exception that a DS post-op has an increased chance of carbohydrates causing 'dumping' symptoms to where a RNY post-op has an increased chance of sugars/sweets/fats causing the same. You should be able to gain some general support from those on here as well. We also have some lab-banders on here. Jodi is perhaps our most successful of those. Their post-op issues are different than those who have had RNY or DS, and yet, they also are very supportive/and find support for/from those who have had RNY/DS. We welcome you to the Indiana board. We aso welcome you to join in on any of the activities and get togethers that we have. Don't feel that you have to wait until you are post-op to join us. We are perhaps each others' best cheerleaders...every step of each personel journey. Sherri

Julia, I am scheduled for a DS with Dr Inman on Feb 16th. I'll let you know how it goes! Ellen

Ellen, Thank you for replying! I really am excited about it!!! How long from approval did you have to wait for surgery? How long are you taking off work? How long does Dr. Inman suggest? How long will they expect you to be in the hospital? I am so excited!!! I actually have my first appointment on the 22nd but already received my insurance approval! I am really lucky I have great insurance. I am sorry about all the questions but am just so curious! Thank you so much and please can I keep in touch!!! Julia...where is Etna green? I am in just north of Indy!

Julia, I had to wait about 3 weeks to even get a surgery date after approval, but it was the Christmas holiday time. Vickie (Dr. Inman's scheduler) called the morning after Christmas with a Feb 16th date. Best present I got! I think the average hospital stay is 3-4 days, but really who cares! I am telling my boss I will be out 2 weeks and hope to be able to work from home weeks 3 & 4. I think Dr. Inman will let you be off as long as you need, depending on your job duties. I am a revision from a VBG with Dr. Inman in 1999. She is a very capable surgeon and is in no way responsible for the failure of my first surgery. I was off 6 weeks, but I worked in a factory then. There is another person, Dena from Illinois that is having her surgery with Dr. Inman the same day I am. We have been emailing back and forth, but are meeting in person this Wednesday or Thursday while we are doing our preop items. Etna Green is off highway 30 about an hour between both South Bend and Ft Wayne. As soon as I get home form surgery I plan on selling my house and moving somewhere that has a deeper gene pool. Good luck tomorrow! Ellen