Johns Hopkins Surgeon Recommendation needed

oh yea she will kick ur butt ;)  but in a good way. she really cares about you being successful. hard not to want a surgeon like that. plus i have had NO complications. NO vitamin issues. and I haven't taken them religiously either. i don't recommend that of course LOL. but she knows what she is doing! let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks again, Nicole. That's the type of surgeon I need! :-) I want to be successful but I need a good motivator and a "kick in the butt" occasionally!
Glad to hear, also, about the no vitamin def. issues, etc. My friend had a GB last March in PA and she has malasorption/vitamin def. issues and is having problems with depression b/c the meds. don't asorb like they should. So, the "regular" GB was scaring me some b/c of that. Also, I have a big fear of dumping. I have had panic attaks in the past and I still wake up during the night a little anxious sometimes and the dumping episodes sound a lot like that...fast heart beat, sweating, etc. It sounds like a nightmare!

Best of continued success!!
Danne

i actually have issues w/ anxiety and although dumping feels bad, it has nothing on anxiety. you just feel bad physically. but if you don't overconsume sugar normally people have a tolerance. I can eat a small amount of pretty much anything and not dump. it is when i go past a serving that things are a problem. your friend that is having problems, was she taking her vitamins all the time? i hope she is doing better.

either way bring these issues up w/ dr. steele or whoever you end up seeing. they will help you make the best decision.

i will also be having surgery at john hopkins bayveiw. dr nguyen will be doing my surgery. i have medicaid and have almost completed my requirements. with my insurence they only pay for the roux-en-y gastric bypass. im not sure about the other procedures seeing they only really explained what they will do to me. but if you call the bayveiw office they will tell you what dr is the best to do the surgery you want. any questions that i have had if my insurence hasnt been able the answer for me then i have called the office and they are very quick with an answer or they find it out and call me back. i wish you luck

Thanks leslie. I'm gonna do that tomorrow. I have other questions anyway. Thanks for helping and the best to you with ur upcoming surgery!

I almost missed your post. You got the right information ~ no one does a one step DS at JH any longer. Based on your BMI alone I would continue to give serious consideration to the DS and looking into other hospitals/surgeons.

My big concerns with the DS as a 2-step process is (1) two surgeries, thus two recoveries and two anesthesia events, (2) there are some proven benefits of having the two procedures together, they work in tandem to give great results, and (3) with the VSG you might lose weight but not get to goal or even a healthy BMI. The problem might then be that you aren't where you want weight wise but you weigh too little to qualify for a 2nd bariatric surgery...see the problem there?  For me the DS was the only choice I would consider but it does require responsible living (e.g., high protein, vitamin supplements, and regular blood work).

My advice is to figure out what surgery you want then pick a surgeon that does it and is highly experienced. Please come check out the DS board ~ we have lots of information to be shared.

www.dsfacts.com

Let me know if you have any questions!

I have already sent my info. to J-H to get the process rolling along. I guess it wouldn't hurt to go to the consult and get their opinion/information. I will check out more about the DS, tho, and thank you for the advice.
Best of success...Danne