ds surgery long distance?
No problem, ask away!
We did most of the appts needed here with the help of our PCP who was more than willing to be the go between.
By the time we had to travel to NYC it was the weekend before surgery so he could get all his appts in in one day (a Monday)...the nut, the surgeon, and the hospital pre-op. Then we waited around and wanted to sightsee but it was too blasted cold that Dec. His surgery was on Thursday...and we left one week later.
Then we did go back for a 6 month checkup since we were traveling up to NY state anyway...so we did a day in NYC to take care of the follow up. The other followups he's had have been with the nut over the phone and thru email...they send what needs to be done and we tote it off to our PCP. Mostly lab work. The surgeon doesn't do actual follow ups over the phone so the only ones he's talked to are the nut and PA that way. But we COULD have done the 6 month follow up on the phone and thru our PCP if we hadn't already been going that direction.
Having a cooperative PCP in your corner makes it easy to handle long distance.
Liz
We did most of the appts needed here with the help of our PCP who was more than willing to be the go between.
By the time we had to travel to NYC it was the weekend before surgery so he could get all his appts in in one day (a Monday)...the nut, the surgeon, and the hospital pre-op. Then we waited around and wanted to sightsee but it was too blasted cold that Dec. His surgery was on Thursday...and we left one week later.
Then we did go back for a 6 month checkup since we were traveling up to NY state anyway...so we did a day in NYC to take care of the follow up. The other followups he's had have been with the nut over the phone and thru email...they send what needs to be done and we tote it off to our PCP. Mostly lab work. The surgeon doesn't do actual follow ups over the phone so the only ones he's talked to are the nut and PA that way. But we COULD have done the 6 month follow up on the phone and thru our PCP if we hadn't already been going that direction.
Having a cooperative PCP in your corner makes it easy to handle long distance.
Liz
Duodenal Switch (Lap) 01-24-11 | Surgeon: Stephen Boyce | High weight: 250 in 2002 | Surgery weight: 203 | Lowest weight: 121 | Current weight: 135 | Goal weight: 135
I traveled two hours by car/non-emergency medical transport to have my DS. I just lucked out and had a surgeon within my state who accepted Medicare/Medicaid. The DS is part of my plan to get off disability.
Traveling for it is OK, but I would try to limit the distance to a reasonable trip if you have complications early out. Also key is having a PCP who will allow you to educate him/her about your procedure and your specific needs.
I worry about the people who go to Mexico or Canada from thousands of miles away, or even great distances within the United States.
HW 405/SW 397/CW 138/GW 160 Do the research! Check the stats!
The DS is *THE* solution to Severe Morbid Obesity!
I found a D.S. surgeon and in house team to cover all the insurance requirements an hour drive away. Its very doable for me. Be sure to find a surgeon at a "Center of Excellence" with lots of D.S. experience. There are "Top" Docs in the East, Middle, and West of the country. No need to travel too far from home. Labs and follow up care can be done through your PCP.
Duodenal Switch- lap
Dr. Paul. Kemmeter Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr. John Renucci, Plastics, Body contouring,Grand Rapids, Mi.
Start 255/ Surgery wt 235/ Current wt. 117
BMI-20, 135 lbs lost, 5'3"
I really appreciate all the input. I had read about the ds surgery and couldnt find anyone that did it around me and figured I'd have the sleeve but the closer I get to all my appointments through this program the more I feel like I'm doing the wrong thing. I just want to have one surgery and I really feel like the DS is for me. I think what I will do is call my pcp on Tuesday and go in and talk with her about this and how I feel.
I tried looking for doctors closer to me but the closest I see is in NY which for me I'm looking at 10 to 12 hour ride by car :( but you are all making me feel like this is doable. I do have insurance Aetna they do pay for DS but who knows if they will think its necessary enough for me to have that they will pay for it in another state.
I tried looking for doctors closer to me but the closest I see is in NY which for me I'm looking at 10 to 12 hour ride by car :( but you are all making me feel like this is doable. I do have insurance Aetna they do pay for DS but who knows if they will think its necessary enough for me to have that they will pay for it in another state.
Hi Trish,
I am glad you are taking the time now before any surgery to look at all your options. Driving 10 hrs seems more difficult than flying. If you stayed in a hotel in the city where your surgeon is, you could choose your surgeon from a wider group of established D.S. surgeons. Who ever you choose needs to have lots of experience with the D.S., if you go with the D.S. I am very happy I didnt have the VSG or any of the others. The D.S. has ben the best for me with quick weight loss, and being able to have all the protein I ever want any time. With the VSG they have to watch carbs way more closely, and portion size and calories. I never have to count calories ever again.
Back to the long distance Surgery. Post surgery I was sore, but with a laparoscopic procedure I could have taken a plane traveling with my husband, or someone to accompany me. You would be able to walk, and be taken around the airport in a wheelchair. My daughter used one while recovering from hip surgery. A car ride is more difficult with stop/start, curves, sitting so many hours. I found the 1 hr drive home a bit uncomfortable, but I did have good meds for pain. We drive a lot long distance. I dont think I could do it for 10 hrs the day or two after surgery. You could stay a few more days in a hotel, then drive 10 hrs. that way you would be close for any post op problems.
The D.S. is the best, I love mine. I never thought I could get to 126 today. My surgeon said I could lose a bit more because I am 5'2". Check out my before and after pics on this site, click on "Patient Stories, mine is first. Dr Kemmeter is a terrificly tallented surgeon, and GHP is a "Center of Excellence". Dont go to any surgeon who doesnt have this award. I would fly to him if I had to for the D.S.
http://www.grandhealthpartners.com/default
I am glad you are taking the time now before any surgery to look at all your options. Driving 10 hrs seems more difficult than flying. If you stayed in a hotel in the city where your surgeon is, you could choose your surgeon from a wider group of established D.S. surgeons. Who ever you choose needs to have lots of experience with the D.S., if you go with the D.S. I am very happy I didnt have the VSG or any of the others. The D.S. has ben the best for me with quick weight loss, and being able to have all the protein I ever want any time. With the VSG they have to watch carbs way more closely, and portion size and calories. I never have to count calories ever again.
Back to the long distance Surgery. Post surgery I was sore, but with a laparoscopic procedure I could have taken a plane traveling with my husband, or someone to accompany me. You would be able to walk, and be taken around the airport in a wheelchair. My daughter used one while recovering from hip surgery. A car ride is more difficult with stop/start, curves, sitting so many hours. I found the 1 hr drive home a bit uncomfortable, but I did have good meds for pain. We drive a lot long distance. I dont think I could do it for 10 hrs the day or two after surgery. You could stay a few more days in a hotel, then drive 10 hrs. that way you would be close for any post op problems.
The D.S. is the best, I love mine. I never thought I could get to 126 today. My surgeon said I could lose a bit more because I am 5'2". Check out my before and after pics on this site, click on "Patient Stories, mine is first. Dr Kemmeter is a terrificly tallented surgeon, and GHP is a "Center of Excellence". Dont go to any surgeon who doesnt have this award. I would fly to him if I had to for the D.S.
http://www.grandhealthpartners.com/default
Duodenal Switch- lap
Dr. Paul. Kemmeter Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr. John Renucci, Plastics, Body contouring,Grand Rapids, Mi.
Start 255/ Surgery wt 235/ Current wt. 117
BMI-20, 135 lbs lost, 5'3"
Thanks for sharing Sandra, I read your story wow and grats on a great job of getting the weight off. I'm still searching programs and doctors. I'm calling my pcp tomorrow for an appointment to talk to her about it all. I know I shouldnt think this way but I"m so worried I'll have the sleeve then 5 years down the road gain it back I think it scares me because of all the diets I've done over the years and gained my weight back. I only want to do this once! :)
Trish,
Picking a surgeon, and his pre and post care is the most important part of all. Take your time, research, read, read, read the boards and info sites. I printed everything I could find, for a notebook to help me decide. Then something majical happened, after the second surgeons intro seminar. It all came together for me, and I knew it was the D.S., and Dr. Kemmeter I wanted for my surgery. The reason being that he was the kind of person I would be comfortable working with on my health. The presentation of all the surgeries was detailed, and he took his time to teach us all the fine points. This was so opposite from the first , impersonal seminar I attended the week before in my home town. As I look back now and see all the care GHP has given me over these 9 months, it was a truly unique experience, I wish everyone could go through WLS with this kind of personal attention.
Sandra ;-)
Picking a surgeon, and his pre and post care is the most important part of all. Take your time, research, read, read, read the boards and info sites. I printed everything I could find, for a notebook to help me decide. Then something majical happened, after the second surgeons intro seminar. It all came together for me, and I knew it was the D.S., and Dr. Kemmeter I wanted for my surgery. The reason being that he was the kind of person I would be comfortable working with on my health. The presentation of all the surgeries was detailed, and he took his time to teach us all the fine points. This was so opposite from the first , impersonal seminar I attended the week before in my home town. As I look back now and see all the care GHP has given me over these 9 months, it was a truly unique experience, I wish everyone could go through WLS with this kind of personal attention.
Sandra ;-)
Duodenal Switch- lap
Dr. Paul. Kemmeter Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr. John Renucci, Plastics, Body contouring,Grand Rapids, Mi.
Start 255/ Surgery wt 235/ Current wt. 117
BMI-20, 135 lbs lost, 5'3"
We did the trip by train to go to NYC....would have been a 12 hour drive and it was easier on the train...my husband could get up and walk any time he felt like it without us having to find a spot, pull over, and take the time to actually stop.
And depending on your insurance, they MIGHT pay for the trip (after the fact). Ours did.
Liz
And depending on your insurance, they MIGHT pay for the trip (after the fact). Ours did.
Liz
Duodenal Switch (Lap) 01-24-11 | Surgeon: Stephen Boyce | High weight: 250 in 2002 | Surgery weight: 203 | Lowest weight: 121 | Current weight: 135 | Goal weight: 135
Thats an idea to keep in mind Liz but I can only do the train from Boston to NY from Boston to my house I would have to do car or bus. I can check into flights also. I never thought about it buy maybe my insurance would pay for some of it where there are no doctors here that do the surgery. I will have to give Aetna a call. Thanks :)
Most Active
Recent Topics
