Where did you get your DS done?

Knowledgeable (non-surgical) post-DS care is right at your fingertips.  It's called OH.  If I have a surgical post-DS care issue my surgeon is a phone call away.

Thank you all for your input...I really appreciate it...this helps a lot in hearing from people that have been there and done that already...=)

I revised from a VSG to the DS about 2 weeks ago with Dr Gagner, in Doha, Qatar. They are TRYING to set up a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE here, but that will be pretty much impossible. I have extensively educated myself, and am learning to ADVOCATE for myself as well. Like the others have said this is forever and ever. Living overseas where necessities like vitamins or protein powders are not available I MUST stay on top of things! It's worth it, but you got to work it ALL THE TIME!!

Wow...I certainly don't want to go through this twice!!  OMG!  So sorry for all that for you...good luck with it all...=)

Wow,  Gagner,  what a *****  I guess nobody in North America will work with him at this point?

Doha? Wow! I had my virgin DS in Kuwait. Kuwait is trying to become the go to place for medical procedures in the Middle East.

It's all about the benjamins.

My insurance would have paid 100% for an RNY right down the street from my house.  I chose to self-pay for the DS and flew thousands of miles to Brazil.  I set up aftercare with my PCP and a GI doc that was interested in the DS before I left.  I would do it again every year if that is what it took.

Good luck,
Michele

I had mine done by Dr. William S. Peters in Scranton, PA. I do have to agree with New York also. It is a very complicated surgery and extremely risky. If you've been reading this board you will see that there are those that do great after this surgery and those of us that have had a very hard time. As hard as I had it the first 6 months, I have not had it nearly as hard as others and for that I am grateful. I have to admit, when I was sooooo sick after this surgery (I threw up each and every day for 6 months, nausea, dehydration, acquired GERD that I didn't have before surgery) and I was so regretful that I had the surgery.

With having said that I am now 13 months out and doing fine. I can eat alot of food and take all my vitamins like I'm supposed to. I've lost 147 pounds.

I didn't tell you all that to discourage you, I just feel that going into this you need to know the good and the bad and make the best decision for yourself.

Both my husband and I had surgery with Dr. Anthone in Omaha.  We had a great experience.

Red

I am having my surgery tomorrow with Dr. Gary Anthone in Omaha, NE. I live here so I don't have to travel. He is one of the top DS guys in the country, there are a lot of people that travel here to have him cut on them. He worked at USC for years (wrote lots of research papers while there), and moved "back home" 7 or 8 years ago. He does his procedure open, they schedule the OR for 3 hours, but I'm told that it usually takes 2 hours. He does not have a program fee or any upfront fees. I can tell you later what the total cost will be - after I'm billed.
Lisa