Newbie here---and question about Duodenal Switch Surgeons...

Hi. 

I'm in NC and have recently begun the journey to possibly have WLS of some kind.  I am leaning towards the DS surgery and I have a very good friend who has recently had this type.  However, I'm finding only 2 Bariatric Surgeons in our state who even perform it.

Has anyone here had the DS surgery?  If so, whom did you use?  Can you share your experience?


Thank you.

Hello...I am new here too...I am scheduled for RNY surgery in February. I saw my surgeon yesterday at ECU School of Bariatrics Greenville, NC. I had made my mind up for the RNY beore seeing him; but, wanted to know about DS. I had seen so many on OH who had this type of surgery performed and they just "love" it. Anyway, when I asked him about the surgery he said that they (ECU) hardly perform the surgery anymore and if it was performed it would be for the super morbidly obese (>600#s). So, that might be an answer as to why there aren't many surgeons in NC that perform it--the surgeons are choosing not to do them.

Well, that's interesting.  Hmmm.

My friend *****cently had the DS doesn't live in NC, so I can't reference her doctor.  She wasn't super morbidly obese either.  Hmmm.

It is often done for SMO, but it is not necessarily restricted to SMO only. Many insurance 'gates' require a BMI of 50 or more, but even that is starting to wane a bit. DS is not for everyone, but just like all of the surgeries it has it's place and is 'just the right tool' for a number of people. It's important to understand the pro's and con's of each surgery. This can be somewhat challenging  because people have bias' towards the surgery they have had and/or perform. That said, you can definitely get some balanced views.

Wishing you all the best as you look for the best solution for you,

Hi Fig,

You might try cross posting to the DS board if you don't get enough response here. I'll also see if I can contact Angela P and ask her to come to the board and respond to your question. She had her surgery done in Atlanta by Dr. Smith because Dr. Sudan at Duke wasn't in place when she had her surgery. I think that Angela can and will give a very balanced, even assessment. She'll talk to you honestly about the pro's and con's of the surgery. She has been fabulously successful with it. 

Hi Fig,

Glad to see your post - Barbara pointed me your way.  Glad you're here!

Yes, I had the DS back in January of 2009, so I'm coming up on my 1 yr anniversary.  As Barb mentioned, I had my surgery with Dr. Dennis Smith in Marietta, GA.  I'd have travelled to the moon and back to have this surgery if I needed to, if that tells you anything about how much I love the choice I made for myself.  Since January, I have lost 145 pounds, and am now about 20 pounds from goal.  Although I was considered SMO, meaning my BMI was >50 - mine came in a 52. something - I was hardly 600 pounds.  I was 305 as a matter of fact.  I managed to lose down to 294 the day of surgery.  That first 11 pounds was by far the hardest.  Since that time, I have not only lost the weight, but high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, and all my respiratory issues like allergies and asthma have resolved.  My experience was a textbook one.  Except for appedicitis as a teenager, I had a virgin belly.  I was on the table for a little over 4 hours.  From hour 1 after waking, I had no trouble keeping down water and I have had no trouble getting in all my protein.  I was out of work for 3 1/2 weeks, and that includes being in Marietta for 2 weeks.  Heck, I was at the gym walking on a treadmill and riding a recumbent bike on post-op day 4, one day after I was released from the hospital.  I have had a really easy ride, and the pounds have melted off.  I focus on protein first, just like everyone else. 

I absolutely LOVE my surgeon.  He practices alone and he came to see me twice a day for the entire time I was in the hospital, plus I had his cell, home and office number once I was discharged.  I have felt extremely well taken-care-of since that time.  His office staff are phenomenal - I love them, too.  I chose him after having gone to another surgeon up near Washington, DC that some friends of mine had used for their DS - I know 3 folks who did.  I didn't care for working with his office staff, so that's when I found Dr. Smith and I knew he was the right surgeon for me.   Don't get me wrong, he's not the touchy-feely kind of surgeon but he is technically brilliant and hasn't had a leak in 7 1/2 years.  That was VERY important to me.  His patients tend to do very well post-op and that was important as well.  I am a research professional and I did extensive research before embarking on this journey.  I have some other resources Id be happy to share if your're interested.

That said, I also have a friend and former colleague who is currently pursuing the DS through the Duke program with Dr. Ranjan Sudan.  He moved here from Nebraska and is a very experienced and vetted DS surgeon.  Had he been in place at Duke while I was pursuing surgery, I'd have gone to him.  But he wasn't, so instead I fought my insurance company for 7 months through 2 appeals and won.  I am helping my friend walk through the process and am showing her how it is to live with this surgery on a day to day basis.  I know a lot of myths exist about the DS and living in the bathroom.  That has certainly not been my experience.  I am a 1-2 times a day pooper and I keep compliant with vitamins, protein and water.  The rest will pretty much take care of itself.  Granted, some people do have issues and problems, but that can happen with any surgery. 

Please, I urge you to keep researching the DS if you think this is a viable option for you.  I am most happy to answer any questions you may have - I am willing to be brutally honest about all aspects of this surgery and what my experiences have been.  So if you would like to discuss further, please feel free to PM me.  I'm even willing to give you my number so you can call if you like.

Again, thank you for being here and for asking questions.  It is my mission to get the word for the DS out to as many folks as possible here in NC.  I want some other DSers to join our support group!  

Good luck, and please let me know how I can be of help.  There is no greater gift for me than to be able to pay this wonderful new life forward.

Kindest regards,

Thank you and I just sent you a long PM.  LOL.

I was browsing sergeons on here and i came arcross one in raliegh nc that does DS and everything else try giving there office a call and see if he still does it his name name is Enochs hes at rex hospital

Paul Enochs, M.D.
160 MacGregor Pines Drive
Suite 310
Raleigh / Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 234-4468
Fax: (919) 234-4478

I saw that a couple of days ago, but if I read it correctly (and I may very well not have), he's only done 5 of them??  Am I reading that right? 

I've also emailed that office to ask that very question and haven't heard anything back.  I don't know that I will because I'm sure that they're busy.  I really need to talk to my insurance company to, but I'm a little nervous about doing so.  Plus, I want to ask all the right questions when I do.  Is it better that I call and get info, but also that the surgeon that I eventually choose do so also?  I'm a little confused at this point.