Total Disappointment

Well I definitely assumed I would find a great doctor here. I mean come on this is Houston we have the TOP Cancer Hospitals, Childrens hospitals. The guys from Big Medicine. None of them are on www.duodenalswitch.com . Theres no surgeons listed there for Texas. I'm very disappointed. What am I going to do now?  I'm not gonna get a surgeon with less then 100 surgery's under his belt. At least that is what was suggestted to me on here. I do not want to do the rny....at all. There has to be a doctor maybe not listed. God I hope so. Thanks for listening just venting. Dawn

Daryl Stewart, Denton, Ralph Crum in Amarillo, there is Ganta and Patel but they don't have enough experience for the DS in my opinion. Somebody else will chime in but it's true Texas is a wasteland as far as DS surgeons go. B

Thanks for the names....I hope there someone close to Houston or at least Austin. Yeah I saw Ganta and Patel I believe and like you said not enough experience. Where did you have yours? I noticed your in Texas where is KYLE? Dawn

Kyle is right outside Austin...South before San Marcos. I'm having my surgery in MN on 2/26/08 by Dr. Buchwald.  I would have that on my avatar but can't figure out how to do it.  I've been told but it doesn't work for  me. Have you been to DSInfomationZone?  That is the best site to find a good experienced DS doc.  The site is run by a woman who has checked all the docs out and pays for it herself...not like OH where the doc can advertise. Try the ones I listed in Tx.  There are more close by Texas if you would prefer that.  I needed a good revision to DS doc and one that takes Medicare. Keep coming here and eventually you will find a doc.  It is work fiinding a doc you feel comfortable with...but it is oh so worth it. Betty

Believe it or not, I had the same problem in LA, despite lots of top-notch medical centers nearby. I hope you have some luck with the docs suggested, but many of us have had to travel for the DS - there just aren't that many DS surgeons.  I could have stayed in LA and had the RNY cheaper and easier, but I knew it was DS or nothing for me. My DS wasn't just worth every penny - it's priceless!

Like Stefanie said...you'd think Los Angeles would have more than ONE!!!  I have a 3.5 hour drive each way to my surgeon.  However, let me mention the following... I have been to my surgeon's office, as far as I can remember: Initial visit Pre-op visit (and surgery...all one trip) one month post-op 3 months post-op 6 months post-op 12 months post-op 18 months post-op 24 months post-op My next visit is scheduled for 36 months post-op. That will total seven visits over three years and change.  (And I'm not sure on the three month visit...so maybe only six visits over three years.) Let's start with the OTHER part of the battle...self-pay?  Insurance?  GOOD insurance?  Where are you on that part? Sue

If there's one thing we DSers ALWAYS try to tell people up front, it is that you are more than likely going to have to travel - sometimes thousands of miles - in order to get the DS. Unless you're lucky enough to be near the DS "hot spots" around the country. I was lucky enough to only have to drive two hours to get to my surgeon. I'm in the minority of most on this board. Yes, there are doctors not listed on Melanie's list. However, they have not "proven" themselves to be up to her standards as of yet. They have not reached the magic 100 number. I think there may be a Dr. Namaan in your area that is still relatively new (under 100) to the DS that has some patients on this board. Perhaps they will come out of the woodwork to help you.

Dr. Naaman has retired. Blessings, dina

I guess I'm traveling then, lol its worth my health. Thank you for everything, Dawn

I'm in L.A. and I flew to OMAHA for Dr. Anthone, one of the MOST experienced DS surgeons.  Definitely worth the trip ... Laurie