Has anyone used Dr Apparao Vanguri?
Expensive??? Oh Dear... I don't remember how much my surgery actually cost because it was paid for by my insurance.
But I can tell you that when I initially went to Dr. Vanguri for a consultation, he was very open and honest about the pros and cons of all WLS and, IMO, he did a thorough job of explaining each and allowing me to come to my own conclusion. I had already done my homework and knew that the DS was something I wanted to look into. But after I had my consultation with him, I was "sold".
His office was very good about my paperwork and the whole process probably moved faster than I was expecting it to. To be honest, I was looking for a fight with my insurance company but (miracle of all miracles) they approved me right off the bat due in part to the help of Dr. V's office. I had my consultation on December 5, 2006 and my surgery was scheduled for February 28, 2007. It moved really quick!!
Dr. Vanguri also runs a support group for WLS patients that meets every month at Franklin Square Hospital. Attending those meetings (pre-surgery and post-surgery) really helped me understand what I was about to undertake and the folks in the groups we super helpful in answering all my questions and helping me get ready for the enormous lifestyle change that was about to occur.
As far as other MD doctors are concerned, I looked into Dr. Schweitzer mostly because of the folks that recommended him here on the OH boards. BUT FOR ME, he and his office people were rude and trying to schedule an appointment for a consultation with him felt like asking Jesus for half of heaven! I'm sure others on this board who have had him can speak to his skill level and might have had a different experience. But again, IN MY EXPERIENCE, he was a TOTAL jerk. Nuff said...
My surgery went well and without any complications and I was up walking around and determined to make the best of it. I believe that one's attitude goes a LONG way in your progress and recovery. I say this because on the day of my surgery, there was another woman who was having the DS done as well. We met before the surgery and wound up being roomates in the hospital. She had an open DS like me too. I don't remember if she had complications but what I do remember is how she whined and complained about EEEEVVVERRRYTHING! "Oh, this hurts. Nurse! I'm in such pain. I can't sleep! Oh my God. What have I done?" blah, blah, blah... When the nurses would come in, she would go into her swan-song: "No, I don't want to sit up. No I don't want to walk around."
Whine, moan, whine, moan... UGGHHH!!
Don't get me wrong! I'm not being insensitive. She was in pain and so was I! We'd both had our guts split open and permanently altered!! LOL But I was determined to look at this experience with a POSITIVE mindset and treat this WLS as the BLESSING that saved my life. No whining allowed.
And that it certainly has. Five years later, I'm still one of Dr. V's poster children for success with the DS. I lost ALL of my excess weight and have managed to keep the weight off and stay at goal. And albeit, while I struggle with a 10 lb swing that occurs when I get lax with my carb coun****ching, I'm still in a size 10 and feel healthier than I've ever felt in my entire life.
SORRY FOR THE DISSERTATION! LOL But I hope that helps you some.
But I can tell you that when I initially went to Dr. Vanguri for a consultation, he was very open and honest about the pros and cons of all WLS and, IMO, he did a thorough job of explaining each and allowing me to come to my own conclusion. I had already done my homework and knew that the DS was something I wanted to look into. But after I had my consultation with him, I was "sold".
His office was very good about my paperwork and the whole process probably moved faster than I was expecting it to. To be honest, I was looking for a fight with my insurance company but (miracle of all miracles) they approved me right off the bat due in part to the help of Dr. V's office. I had my consultation on December 5, 2006 and my surgery was scheduled for February 28, 2007. It moved really quick!!
Dr. Vanguri also runs a support group for WLS patients that meets every month at Franklin Square Hospital. Attending those meetings (pre-surgery and post-surgery) really helped me understand what I was about to undertake and the folks in the groups we super helpful in answering all my questions and helping me get ready for the enormous lifestyle change that was about to occur.
As far as other MD doctors are concerned, I looked into Dr. Schweitzer mostly because of the folks that recommended him here on the OH boards. BUT FOR ME, he and his office people were rude and trying to schedule an appointment for a consultation with him felt like asking Jesus for half of heaven! I'm sure others on this board who have had him can speak to his skill level and might have had a different experience. But again, IN MY EXPERIENCE, he was a TOTAL jerk. Nuff said...
My surgery went well and without any complications and I was up walking around and determined to make the best of it. I believe that one's attitude goes a LONG way in your progress and recovery. I say this because on the day of my surgery, there was another woman who was having the DS done as well. We met before the surgery and wound up being roomates in the hospital. She had an open DS like me too. I don't remember if she had complications but what I do remember is how she whined and complained about EEEEVVVERRRYTHING! "Oh, this hurts. Nurse! I'm in such pain. I can't sleep! Oh my God. What have I done?" blah, blah, blah... When the nurses would come in, she would go into her swan-song: "No, I don't want to sit up. No I don't want to walk around."
Whine, moan, whine, moan... UGGHHH!!Don't get me wrong! I'm not being insensitive. She was in pain and so was I! We'd both had our guts split open and permanently altered!! LOL But I was determined to look at this experience with a POSITIVE mindset and treat this WLS as the BLESSING that saved my life. No whining allowed.
And that it certainly has. Five years later, I'm still one of Dr. V's poster children for success with the DS. I lost ALL of my excess weight and have managed to keep the weight off and stay at goal. And albeit, while I struggle with a 10 lb swing that occurs when I get lax with my carb coun****ching, I'm still in a size 10 and feel healthier than I've ever felt in my entire life.
SORRY FOR THE DISSERTATION! LOL But I hope that helps you some.
---------------------------------
Angie, can I just say...I think I love you. LOL
I'm right there with you on attitude. I am expecting it to hurt. I am also expecting it to take awhile to get through all the steps and lose the weight and that it is going to be work.
I'm okay with ALL these things. I've had two c-sections so that's my only previous surgery experience. The first one was after being in labor for 100 hours. It was a horrible experience recovering from that. My second one was a breeze and they all panicked when I wanted to check out of the hospital in 24 hours. But I think it was because I knew what to expect and I was determined to have a great recovery.
This is how I feel about DS. I've done tons and tons of research. I know my history and I know it's for me. I've already done quite a bit of counseling regarding they "why" I got to where I am with needing wls. I need a tool to help me undo what I've done.
My only concern about Franklin square is it's really quite the drive from my part of MD and I am actually closer to VA. So I fully intend and WANT to go to the support groups occasionally I know it'll be a struggle because of my two little ones and the drive into the "big" city. LOL
But I'll do whatever I have to.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your frank story. Thank you so very much for sharing your experience.
Brenda
I'm right there with you on attitude. I am expecting it to hurt. I am also expecting it to take awhile to get through all the steps and lose the weight and that it is going to be work.
I'm okay with ALL these things. I've had two c-sections so that's my only previous surgery experience. The first one was after being in labor for 100 hours. It was a horrible experience recovering from that. My second one was a breeze and they all panicked when I wanted to check out of the hospital in 24 hours. But I think it was because I knew what to expect and I was determined to have a great recovery.
This is how I feel about DS. I've done tons and tons of research. I know my history and I know it's for me. I've already done quite a bit of counseling regarding they "why" I got to where I am with needing wls. I need a tool to help me undo what I've done.
My only concern about Franklin square is it's really quite the drive from my part of MD and I am actually closer to VA. So I fully intend and WANT to go to the support groups occasionally I know it'll be a struggle because of my two little ones and the drive into the "big" city. LOL
But I'll do whatever I have to.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your frank story. Thank you so very much for sharing your experience.
Brenda
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