Grand Rapids - Dr. Foote - Duodenal Switch?

No I was there last Thursday - which was July 9th..... let me double check my calendar - yep.
Thursday July 9th.

Were you there last week?  What did you think?

oops apparently I was asleep when I wrote that! :)
Yes I was there Thursday. I am looking at the gastric sleeve because I have arthritis so I need to take medications that make other options difficult.
What was your impression?

I was left with a very good impression.
If I was going for just the sleeve I'd stay with Dr. Foote but since I want the DS, from what I've read, Dr. Kemmeter is my best option.
I just got back from my first appointment with the Dr. White. I had an appointment for later this afternoon and they called to see if I wanted to come in earlier. So I went and that was pretty routine. 
May I ask what your impression of the seminar was?

If you feel comfortable, can you expand upon what would make the DS a difficult option with your arthritis & necessary medications?  The only surgery that I am aware of that would hinder your medication requirements would be the RnY  (as NSAIDs cannot be taken).  There is an awful lot of false information out there, and frankly a lot of it comes from well meaning PCPs and even the bariatric surgical offices, so you will want to do your own research and not just assume that you have been provided with accurate information.

From what I have been told is that vertical sleeve is really the "best" option for me because a lot of my medications are time release and I take a lot of prednisone which predisposes many to ulcers. From what I gather it is the time release factor that is most important.
Plus the DS has to many undesirable side effects for me. The need for the bathroom 3-7 times a day and the gas issue is a big thing because of my work and I can not just step out whenever I want/need to.

Thanks for taking the time to share.  The time release information is accurate, the bathroom / gas issues are not.

Those that need to take time release can usually find an alternative, but for those who cannot, they adjust the doses and take more often.  People who need to take a great deal of weight off  (50+ BMI) and want to keep it off, or those with type II diabetes (which the DS  *cures* -- not puts into remission -- 98+% of the time) are usually more motivated to find an alternative so that they can get the DS.

The bathroom / gas issues are so blown out of proportion by GHP and other surgeons, that I actually get pretty ticked when I look back on how scared I was about these things as a pre-op.  I don't have these issues, at all, but those that do can easily control them with food choices and/or an occasional antibiotic.  I have been with one other DSer (in her home) since Friday, spent Friday with a third, all of Saturday with over 30 DSers, shared the same house Saturday night with four DSers, and had breakfast with 7 DSers --- never once did I smell gas, couldn't get right into one of the two bathrooms, or went into a smell in the bathroom.  Believe me, issues can (and should be) dealt with.  There is no reason (or excuse) to live with these issues.

Those that have these issues usually only rely on the advice of the surgical center (GHP is not the only practice that provides false / bad information) and not the advice of people who have successfully overcome these issues here on the DS Forum of OH, or just simply refuse to deal with / work around their triggers.

I took the time to lay all of this out, not necessarily just for you, but also for those who may also believe these things.  The bathroom / gas issues are a real pet peeve of mine, and usually perpetuated (and exaggerated greatly) by surgeons who don't perform it, so it is disheartening when those surgeons who do also buy into the myths.  For some personal perspective, I supplement / medicate to deal with constipation, so quite the opposite of what I was lead to believe would happen.  That isn't what happens to everyone, and it has changed even for me since the first few months post-op, but it almost always can be addressed.  I can honestly say that my bathroom situation has been greatly improved post-op DS.

Well I am glad to hear it is not all bad as some made it sound. If I had a higher BMI I would more seriously into DS. Many of my meds would have to go to more frequent dosing which I find a pain in the a$$ but if I needed to do it then I would. I guess I am considered a lightweight because my BMI is 38 and I do not have diabetes but have the arthritis issue which is made worse by my weight so I am considering WLS.
Thanks for all the information it will help in my decision.

Just know that I am not questioning your decision, just wanted you to be informed.
Had I been a 38 BMI (and all other things considered in my situation), I would have had the VSG.
I was FAR from that!

All the best to you in this journey!
I hope that it is as amazing for you as it has been for me.

Thank you for you honesty and desire to make sure everyone has the correct information!!

WOW  ---- what a GREAT response.