DS Procedure

Hi, I am leaning towards the DS procedure and am having my first surgeon appt. on 4/3/09.  Any one have any regrets with this procedure?  Going to Abington with Dr. G.  Anyone know what to expect at that appt.?

Hi Lucy!!  I had my DS with Dr Bonanni in Aug!  I am soo pleased with my surgery!!!  Dr B is great, unfortunatly I'm not familiar with Dr G.  But I've heard good things about him!  When I went to my surgeon appt, Dr B was great!  I told him I was interested in the DS, he asked why...I told him exactly why (you can read my profile for details).  He agreed with everything I said, explained some stuff to me, went over everything with my mom (she was skeptical of the DS, she had RNY)!!!!  I had to have an EGD (I think thats what it was, they go down your throat), and a bunch of labs.....then it was submitted to my Insurance! 

I heard soo many good things about Dr B in the hospital (from other Drs).  

I'm proud to say, I'm just under 7 months.  I started at 234 lbs, I am down to 133 lbs......I've lost 99 pounds!!!!!  My goal is 130 lbs......3 more to go!!!  And a size 8 clothes.....I'm in 8's!!!!!!  This has been an amazing journey that I am soo glad I did!!  I have no regrets!!!!

If you want more details, feel free to PM me!!  I'll have Kat & Tom post for you also!!

Hi Jackie, I am glad to hear good things about the Dr.'s.  That gives me some comfort.  Congrats on your success.  This process is so nerve racking.  Today I see the Nutritionist.  Did you have your surgery at Abington?  I had surgery there a few years ago and I thought the staff was horrible.  I also had my daughter in the ER at Abington and they were no better there.  I have had surgery at Doylestown, Grand View, Mercy Suburban and North Penn and Abington in my opinion I had the worst surgical staff at Abington.  I am going on the basis that the quality of the dr. outweighs the staff.  Any thoughts on the staff?  Thanks.

Hey Lucy!  Yes, my surgery was done at Abington.  In the prep area, the RN was ditsy!  They seemed to take their time doing the prep stuff!  But once the anesthesiologist came to take me....it was great.  She was soo nice and the 2 nurses in the OR were soo nice also!  I had to go to the ER to have my drain removed.....that experience wasn't bad at all.  It took FOREVER for Manny to show up (he was on call), considering he KNEW I would be down there by a certain time!  And we were there exactly when we said we would be!!  But the Dr's were very nice!  The nurses were hit & miss.  The RN's were the nicest, the CNA during the day was worthless!  The one night, the CNA's were younger people (like 19-20 yrs old maybe)...they were worthless.  Thank God for the RN's!!!  But looking back.......I was my own advocate, my husband was my advocate when he was there.  I only had to put up with them for 4 days! 

How did your appt with Ann go??  What all do you have to do for the process?  I live North of the Lehigh Valley, so Abington is the only hospital you mentioned that I've been to (except Grand View, I was born there ).

Ann was great, she showed me how to make small changes that would help in the long run.  Well, the biggest part is eating more fruits and vegetables and portion sizes.  Thanks for your experience, it sounds as though the hospital has gotten better with time.  Ann now has me thinking that the DS might not be the best option for me.  I am a very finikie eater and she brought to my attention that I may not be able to get the proper nutrients and the suppliment plan is much more extensive with the DS.  I need to go back and do some more reading.  I am going to the next support meeting in April.

I was going to put this in my last post but forgot so I guess I will stick it here :)

I LOVE ABINGTON!!    I'd never been there before my DS.   I'm from Lower Bucks so I always go to St. Marys Hospital.   Well I felt like I was at a HOTEL.   All the bariatric patients go in the new wing with private rooms right outside the nursing station.   I never had an issue with any nurse.  

My parents spent a bit of time there visiting with me and they always commented on what a great hospital it was compared to what they have experienced at others. 

I was also just in the Abington ER Tuesday morning to get some blood tests re-ran *(mistake made by my PCP's office) anyway we thought my Potassium was high so I was told to go to the ER.  I was signed in and in a room seen by a doctor within 15 mins of walking in the doors.   The ER nurse assigned to me was awesome.  

Not sure if things have changed over the years or what but both of my experiences so far have been nothing short of amazing!   I can't say that about my last 2 visits to St. Marys.  UGH!

Tom

Hi Lucy! 

I had Dr. B as well but a few from our DS "posse" have also now had Dr. G and they love him!  I finally met him at support group Tuesday night.  Not sure if you were there but he spoke about each surgery type.  When he got to the DS his whole personality changed and lit up.  You can tell his is proud to do this surgery.   That said he did mention he normally reserves it for high BMI patients so just be ready with your supporting facts of WHY you feel the DS is better for you. 

During this appointment they normally go over all your testing and make sure nothing else needs to be completed.  You discuss your procedure selection.  They get your insurance requirements together and start the submission process once everything that required is completed.

Feel free to join our Philadelphia Area Duodenal Switch Yahoo Group --> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pa_ds/

We use this for our local DS support and plan outings etc.   We are having a DS'r Spa night next Tuesday!   Post on there asking about Dr. G.  I know there are people there who do not post here.

Also did you know Dr. G had his own website for more information about him?  http://drgbariatricsurgery.com/

He trained for the DS under Henry Buchwald in MN and performs the DS robot assisted.

Good luck!  You will love the DS.  I just hit goal last week myself!

Tom

Hi Tom, I think I have to go over my options again.  My BMI is not in the high range. And after my appt. with Ann I may have a problem getting my proteins in.  I will just keep my options open and learn more every day.  I will be at the next meeting in April.  Congrats on reaching goal.  I can't wait to be there myself.
Barb