New here - Anyone else in Maine have DS?

Hi all!
I'm fairly new on the boards and just found this Maine forum. I live in Pittsfield, between Bangor and Waterville. Anyhoo - I've been doing a lot of research on WLS and have been seriously considering the DS however I can't find anywhere they do it in Maine. So I'm looking at Dr. Greenbaum in New Jersey. My insurance does cover the proceedure. I will just have to pay for staying down there a week afterwards in case of complications.

So has anyone else here had DS? Where did you have it done? Are you happy with it? Are you happy with what you have had done? 

Thanks!
Maeya

RNY, sleeve gastrectomy and Band are mostly what are available in Maine.

I'm sure you have explored DS and have your reasons for wanting this procedure. I won't argue one surgery vs another. We are not a "one surgery fits all" mold. 

I would caution about having a surgeon and program so far from home. There are so many visits, pre-op and post-op that you would need to travel to NJ. A good program will have you meeting with dieticians, surgeon frequently. Will traveling to NJ be a barrier to you being compliant? I know that the 1 1/2 hours to Bangor from home seems huge some days for my follow ups. I can't imagine what a 8 hour or more one way drive would do to my visits. Do you have fiends or family in NJ?



 

I believe you can get the DS in the Boston-area, which may be more convenient than going as far as NJ, but I do understand the desire to choose a doctor wisely.

I think we all have different things we need to consider when choosing a surgery. I have some deficiencies I have had to deal with prior to surgery, so the DS seemed a bit more worrisome to me. I always thought it would be what I would choose because it doesn't require the same lifestyle changes as the RNY I just had done 10 days ago, and, is, on the surface, more successful with diabetes and average long-term weight removal. In the end, though, I decided for me personally and because I have two school-age children, it would be easier to have surgery locally, where I would be home in a day or two, and where I could handle my appointments during school hours.

I do have friends who have either traveled for surgery or have moved after surgery, and it does seem like a challenge. One of them who moved flew all the way back across country for post-op appointments only to have her surgeon cancel after she made the 2000 mile trip! I would have blown a gasket. I also have a friend who did her surgery in Mexico, but then basically has no support here because surgeons often don't want another surgeon's patient. One consideration is if you have an emergency -- is there someone around here who will be able to handle that? One friend who had a DS had potassium issues and that seems like it could be addressed pretty much anywhere, but not sure about other stuff. Would you need to be transported to NJ if you had complications and will insurance cover that?

I completely understand how the DS stats looks better and that it seems easier in many ways post-op because lifestyle changes may not be necessary. I have noticed, though, that while I know more people who have gained back substantial amounts post RNY by giving up health changes, I also have seen more get close to what I call "insurance weight" and stay because they have made a lot of healthy lifestyle changes. I used to think no one with a DS was unsuccessful, but I do know one woman who lost less than 100 pounds total and if she gains back anything she will not be "successful" as it will be keeping off less than 50% of her extra weight.

I heard something about DS possibly being offered in Waterville at some point soon. You might want to call around and see if the more local surgeons would be able to see you if you had any troubles.

Good luck!

Waterville really? Do you have any idea where or what facility?  that would be perfect! I've been looking around and EMMC does the sleeve which is 1/2 of the DS without doing the small intestine bypass. I may just end up having that done since it's doable here. But I'm going to talk to my doctor and see what my options are.  I don't like the idea of traveling to NJ either. Boston I could do since I have enough relatives within an hour of the city but NJ I have no one. I've seen people who've traveled to Spain to have it done! I'd rather not have to travel b/c then I'd have to tell more people and I'm pretty private.  Maybe just the sleeve will work for me.

If your insurance will pay for it, why not go in and talk with the doctors in Bangor. Perhaps if they do the sleeve, they are comfortable keeping up with you after a DS? I think Boston seems more do-able but I can't think of a name. If I remember, I will post.

I don't have much more advice then you've already gotten. Just wanted to say hi and good luck.

Thanks Kelly!!

Did you have your RNY in Bangor? How was it? Stay warm!!!

There is a doctor at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA who does the DS.  He came from CA and practiced with Dr. Crookes who is deemed a good DS surgeon.  I can't recall his name but someone from New Hampshire just had her DS recently with him.

ETA: his name is Dr. Lelan Sillin