Best Surgeon Choice?

Hi Everyone! I have asked this same question before but thought I'd try again and see if any of you North Carolinians had any advice. I'm in Wilmington and thinking about doing surgery here or in Charlotte with Dr. Bauman. I'm driving myself crazy trying to decide!!!! Now my family is starting to get annoyed that I can't make a decision. I know that is so weird but, now that I know I am having the surgery, I keep second guessing every decision that I make. I'm paranoid about silly things like, the surgeon won't make my pouch small enough, or he won't bypass enough intestine. I know that makes me sound like some vein person wanting to loose as much weight as possible but it's not that. I just want to be able to keep it off, how ever much it may be!!!!! I know I'm rambling but, does anyone out there have any experience with the either of the two surgeons in Wilmington or Dr. Bauman in Charlotte . I know that some of you have already responded to my previous posts about this and I thank you so much!! Anyone else?? Thanks, Laurie

I don't know any of the MD's in wilimington or charlotte. ECU is where they perfected the RNY. You could look in that area or look for someone trained there.

I love my surgeon. He is in Pinehurst. He is very through. I have probably given you too many other options to think about.

It would be easier for you to have a surgeon close to home. So you don't have as far to drive for follow up visits or if you have any complications. Remember the pouch is a tool. Your outcome is ultimately up to you. B

Hey Laurie, JMHO but I would find a surgeon who insists on using the ICV filter to catch blood clots.  There are a number of folks on this board who would not be alive today had they not had it.  That said, my humble advice would be to stay away from Duke.  They do not use the filter and have a tendency to "herd" folks through, rather than keeping  this a personal journey between you and your surgeon.  I've heard one person say they never saw their surgeon after surgery while in the hospital!  They only saw understudies and interns.  Dr. Farrell of UNC Chapel Hill was wonderful to me.  His fees are about 1/2 what other surgeons in NC charge.  He insists on the filter and his after care programs are phenominal.  I'm talking support group meetings, guest speakers, classes with the plastic surgeon, and bariatric cooking classes.  I have made wonderful friendships there.  We have a lot of fun!  We get discounts at area fitness centers through UNC Chapel Hill.  I can honestly say I was treated with complete dignity and respect every single step of the way.  Also my PCP told me that Dr. Farrell has emailed him all my labs, and pertinent information every step of the way.  Now, 7 months later, I am so incredibly WELL.  I am down over 100 lbs, my labs are great.  Yes, and I see the bariatric nutritionist at UNC regularly and have NEVER been charged for it.  Not even a copay.  That is "part of the program."   May you have many blessings on your journey. Hugs, Diane

Hi Laurie! I think I already replied to your original inquiry, but I want to make sure I got in my vote for Dr Harris.

I would look at Dr. Chapman or Dr. MacDonald in Greenville.  They are two of the best in North Carolina.  As someone said, they developed the surgery in Greenville, it's actually called the Greenville bypass.  In any event, both of them were trained by Dr. Pories, who is one of the originators.  Dr. Chapman is the head of his department at Brody School of Medicine with ECU.  Dr. MacDonald was the head before he went into private practice at Southern Surgical.  You would be in excellent hands with either of them.  Naziri, Mann, and Pender are also good options, but you asked who the best was.... In regards to the filter.  I don't actually agree with Diane on them.  If you are over 55-60 BMI, then you need to consider them.  However, if you are under that, they aren't necessarily something you must have.  If you get up and walk when they tell you to, and keep walking, you will be okay.  The whole concept is to prevent blood clots.  The less mobile you are, the more you need to check the filters out.  I was borderline at 59 and I refused them, because I knew I was mobile enough to walk.  This is by no means a dig at Diane(You know I love you Diane), or anyone that had the filters inserted.  Just like anything else, do research and know what they are before you allow anyone to put them into your vena cava.  I agree, they have saved many lives and do have their place in certain situations, just wanted to offer my two cents on that, since it was a decision I faced. Good luck with your search.  Feel free to email me if you have any questions about the surgery, PCMH, or Dr. Chapman. Take care. Ellen

Hey Ellen, We are all entitled to our opinions and yours are always welcomed.  I'm not always right, far from it.  I can only go by what I have seen and heard.  Blood clots are a scary thing.  I know a lady who has had 3 strokes since her surgery (June 2007) and she started out under 300 lbs.  The strokes are from a blood clot in the back of her neck.  Pieces of it are breaking off and going into her brain.  It just scares me, that's all.  Of course, it is a personal choice.  But if it will save my life, I'm all for it.  BTW have you heard or read of complications from the filter?  I haven't but it may be worth investigation.  Your posts are always helpful and informational as well. Love, Diane

I thought blood clots were a risk during and shortly after surgery..... How far out of surgery was this person when she had a stroke? Thanks for all the advice everyone!

Hey Laurie, She was about 6 weeks out.  Her surgery was late June and she had the first stroke in August.  I had my surgery 3/28 and had the filter removed in late May.  She has had 3 strokes (they did CAT scan), although she has no recollection of the 3rd.  One of the ladies here will tell you they told her she was LOW risk for blood clots and has one the size of her thumb sitting in her filter today.  She is on cumadin and some other medication to disolve it.  This is an important thread that deserves more investigation.  I believe the statistics are (and correct me if I am wrong Ellen ) 1 in 100 will develop a blood clot.  Ellen has a wealth of information she shares with us all! Love, Diane

The biggest risk is the first three months.  Understand, DVT is a risk for anyone that is sedentary, whether you're having RNY or any other surgery.  People have DVTs on long plane flights and sitting too long.  They're a complication because after surgery we tend to not want to move much.  Blood pools in your legs and clots form.  They give you a blood thinner shot before surgery and then many send you home with Lovenox shots for the first two weeks.  Plus you will be instructed to walk every hour you are awake.  If you are compliant with your surgeons recommendations and walk, you greatly reduce your risk of a DVT. Take care. Ellen

When it was presented to me, I was told they were not removable.  Every health care related website I looked at seemed to feel the same way.  They generally don't remove them for fear of dislodging any clots they caught.  Maybe others haven't had that experience and have had them removed, but that's not what I was told and read.  My main question was, what if 10 years down the road, the filter becomes dislodged.  What happens then?  They didn't have an answer for me, other than that would be a problem.  I decided that between the compression boots, walking, and lovenox shots after surgery, that was enough coverage for me.  I just encourage everyone to learn as much as they can prior to making any health care related decision.   Take care. Ellen