Recommended Surgeon for DS

Good Morning..

I am starting to search for a great DS Dr. I live near MI although I am in Indiana. Any comments or advise would be wonderful!  Thanks

Margaret Inman is the only one I know who is certified at the present time.  She is an excellent surgeon.

thankyou Annette.

Hi there!  Good luck on your journey for the DS.  You've picked a great surgery and Dr. Inman is a fantastic surgeon!  Please feel free to visit us over on the DS forum here on OH.  There are a lot of educated and helpful people there that can any and all DS questions you may have. 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/a,messageboard/board_id,5357/

Again, good luck!

I appreciate the info. And you look great..

Sammy-

My surgery was done by Dr. Margaret Inman at St. Vincent's.  She is awesome.  Dr. Steven Hoekstra at Elkhart General also does the DS, but he does not take Medicare or Medicaid.  That was an issue for me, because my insurance changed to those two right in the middle of my getting ready for surgery with Dr. Hoekstra, due to Social Security Disability being approved ( i have other medical issues that keep me from working) Also, my COBRA coverage would not approve the DS, but they did approve RNY coverage. (BCBS/Anthem)

Elkhart General's program does not have the Center of Excellence designation, and those are the only ones Medicare and Medicaid patients can go to. 

Personally, I like St. Vincent's program a lot better than Elkhart General's.  I'm not sure if Goshen does the DS, but that might be another close-to-home alternative.

With Dr. Inman at St. Vincent's, you may run into added expenses, such as staying near the hospital for the first three weeks "just in case".  That came in handy for me, because I had a problem with my protein supplement, and had to go back to the hospital  48 hours later for dehydration.  However, Since you live in Elkhart, the ER at EGH already knows what to do for WLS patients who come in with problems.  

That really really helps. I am learning so much. Wonder how I would have ever gotten started without so many people taking the time to blog and answer questions/share experiences. I shudder to think!!