Considering DS

I had my VSG 6 mo ago. Ive done well with my weight loss, but really worried that its not going to help me lose all of my weight.
I live in AR and only have Medicare, so Im looking for a surgeon as close to me as possible, who does DS and accepts Medicare.
Also, will they take on a patient of someone else? Since I got my VSG from another doctor (who doesnt do DS)
Can anyone here help me?
Thanks

I'm afraid you won't find anyone close by. I don't know of anyone in Arkansas. But check www.duodenalswitch.com for surrounding states.

I'm sure that just about any DS surgeon would accept you as a patient, if you are still eligible for WLS, with a BMI of 40, or 35 with comorbids. If you've lost so much weight that your BMI is lower, it might be hard to find someone willing.

But if you think you will want the switch, the sooner the better because if you wait too long, you los the synergistic effect of the sleeve and switch together.

I'm afraid I haven't been of much help but I wanted to wish you luck! 

Thank you, Anna. i appreciate any help I can get.  I defintely still qualify. My BMI now is 63.

First, congratulations on your weight loss!    You've done well with your first six months with a VSG.   With a starting BMI as high as yours, however, the likelihood of getting to goal and keeping it off with a stand-alone VSG is pretty slim.   You are probably going to have to travel to get your DS, unfortunately, and I'm sure that some folks will chime in soon as to who is closest to you.    Dr. Stewart is in Denton, Texas, and perhaps he takes Medicare.  Good luck to you, and I hope that you find the answers that you need.
 

Thank you, Julie.  I think that a person in my situation could lose all the weight with the VSG alone, however, for me, I dont think that I can.  Losing 85 lbs has been a struggle and theres been several weeks where I have actually gained. I contacted Dr. Stewart for information. =)

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you on that one....and even though I don't have time to do the research, I'd be curious to see the success rate of patients with that high of a BMI and a stand-alone VSG.  Don't beat yourself up about your rate of weight loss though, okay?   I'm wondering how big your stomach is.   Why do you think you can eat more than others?   Perhaps they can resize your sleeve when they do the switch part.

It's 6 am and my DH hasn't brought me my coffee yet, so forgive my geographic ignorance (and effete west- and east-coastedness, but Husted just set up shop in KY, and I THINK that's not too far from AR, right?

LOL, well, geography is not my strong suit, no matter what time of day it is.....thank goodness for yahoo maps =)

Dr. Stewart in Denton accepts medicare. Here is his website:

www.weightlosssurgeon.com/

Thank you. I have contacted them for information. I appreciate your help =)