Why don't dr's want to do the DS, and other Q's

I only had 130 to lose and chose the DS because of the MUCH better stats on long term loss.  I wanted to eat a more normal diet than what I was listening to RNYers talk about at meetings.  If I had 300 pounds to lose, I would ONLY get the DS because it will give you a fighting chance of being a normal BMI.  PLEASE research your head off, and go to another surgeon who currently DOES the DS, not just casually mentions it.  Who is the surgeon that said he does a dozen of them a year?  We know most of the surgeons who do the DS around here, we could help you know if he was telling you the truth or not.  I agree with Gina about his responses to you and his motivation behind pushing you towards the RNY.  A Ford dealer would never try to sell you a Mercedes, you actually have to go to the Mercedes dealer.  Same thing with weight loss surgery.  Please arm yourself with knowledge.  Talk to others with 50+ BMI's.  Revisions are a much more dangerous surgery if you find out later on that the surgery you chose didn't work.  Keep asking, keep talking, I think there's a forum here for 50+ BMI's, or at least there was at one time.  Much hope that you find peach with your decision.

Lori

Hi, thank you. i have met a few of his DS patients in on line support groups. They all said they had to "convince" him that is what they really wanted. I have done alot of research on him specifically but have never looked into another surgeon, that is something I will look into. How does it work when you choose a surgeon that is 10 hours away as far as how many times you have to travel to see them? Thanks

 Where is that dam "LIKE" button...  "LIKE" to Lori Black too!!!!!!!!!

 Iol I've been looking for a like button too, but all I can find are these damn smiley's !

It really chaps my ass to see surgeons giving out misinformation!  That is the biggest obstacle that we have to overcome...finding competent surgeons!  Listen to the other ladies here.  With a high BMI, the DS is really the only thing that is going to help.  I suppose RNY is OK (note the sarcasm) if you want to be an extreme dieter for the rest of your life.  But then, if we were good at dieting, we wouldn't need surgery.  I am a RNY to DS revision.  I would not recommend RNY to anyone.

 The weight loss with the DS is the best of any of the options - but this surgeon is correct that for some people,  vitamin deficiencies are a big problem,  iron deficiency anemia,  calcium malabsoprtion,  etc.  And some DSers do have chronic diarrhea,  not to mention lots of very odorous gas.  I think a surgeon who is VERY cautious abuot doing the DS is a good thing.

Thanks NY, I'm curious how you feel about your DS? Would you do it again?

 My DS was 12 years ago.  It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Yes I would do it again.  But I work VERY HARD to stay healthy.  And it costs money.  And I have great doctors and access to whatever I need,  and I have excellent health insurance.  I'm smart and assertive and I get my way.  I also make a point of staying educated about the DS and malabsorption and I stay on top of my labs - I get labs 3 times a year and I always will,  bone density scan every 3 years,  I need iron infusions a couple of times a year and I do not wait to be symptomatic to do so.  I eat loads of protein and take loads of vitamins and minerals.  And this will be for the rest of my life.  

Given the amount of weight you need to lose,  the DS is probably the best choice for you IF you have the psychological,  mental,  and financial ability to comply with the lifelong requirements to stay healthy with a DS.

Which surgeon was this?  Where in NY are you?

I'm in Rochester NY, my surgeon is Dr. O'Malley at Highland Hospital ....... for now :)