Calling for Help from Sooners

Hi Nancy I can appreicate your concern for your son-in-law.  I had the gastric sleeve earlier this month (4-9).  I went to Dallas to the www.bscdallas.com and met with Dr James Davidson.  When I first looked into WLS I was set on the lapband.  I was not more than 100 pounds overweight (just 90) therefore I was not a canadite for RNY.  My mother had RNY 6 years ago and had alot of complications with her surgery.  Partly due to the fact of her age, the fact that she WAS a diabetic at the time, and the fact that her surgeon had no clue of what he was doing.  I knew that I didnt want my intestines cut (another reason I was looking into the lap-band).  Not to mention that I was cash pay and just didnt have the money for it.  During the educational seminar is when I was informed of the VSG (Veritcal Sleeve Gastorectomy)   This surgery has a 85% effictive rate of eliminating type 2 diabetes.  This really caught my eye, b/c at the time I was taking nearly 150 units of insulin a day plus a wide varitey of other medications for all sorts of problems that come along with DM.  I was very pleased with my surgeon and his success rates.  After long consideration I made the choice to have WLS.  In 3 weeks I have been able to stop taking 13 medications daily and lowered my insulin intake to about 30 units. Since I have been a diabetic for more than 15 years, there is a small chance that I will have to remain on some kind of medicine.  I will find out more when I return in May.   I have lost more than 40 pounds since Feb (including pre-op diet) 25 since surgery. This is a life-time change, and it is something that your family needs to do a lot of research on.  Including the surgeon.  One of the best resources are the support group meetings.  You can contact any surgeons office to get a schedule.   Good luck to you on your journey Karen