Need surgen for BPS/DS in Lafayette,La 70506 area

Does anyone know of a  surgen for BPS/DS in Lafayette,La 70506 area . I can not find one in Louisiana

Thank for your help

Gary

Most of the folks I know in LA go to Dr Stewart in TX.  See www.dsfacts.com for the list of trusted DS surgeons.

--gina

There are only around 50 in the world that do the DS, so not finding one in your state isn't unusual.  I second the recommendation of Dr. Stewart in TX or Dr. Smith in AL.  Both can be found on dsfacts.com

Check Dr. Chu in Lake Charles.  I don't think she's done many DS's and the one guy I know who went to her is having MAJOR problems, but he was a lapband to DS revision and his complications are due to damage from the lapband to his stomach.

http://www.whyweight.com/physicians/uyen-b-chu/

I'm in the Baton Rouge area and drove to Houston for my DS.  I saw Dr. Davis and had an excellent experience.  I heard Dr. Stewart in Denton, TX is great too.  I struggled with finding Louisiana DS drs too...

There aren't any in Alabama either.  And when I had my DS I lived in NC and there was only one who didn't take my insurance.  So I went to Dr Smith who is in Georgia (not Alabama) and he is FANTASTIC with an extremely low complication rate.  They are very used to patients traveling to them.  Dr Stewart is also a good good choice.

~Becky

I did call Erik Wilson in Houston and he would not take me and said it was to hard of a procedure to do long distance . Is this a complicated procedure to do ? I have 3 doctors here that say the DS is the only one for me cause it is the best of the best operation to help get rid of diabetes of which I have brutal diabetes. I take 500 units of insulin 3 times a day . I just had part of my foot amputated last Tuesday. So my Dr's say to not get the Rouen Y gastric bipass that the DS is much better to help with diabetes. Is this true ? and thank you everyone for all your help. 

Gary

:(  I'm sorry to hear about your foot.  There have been some studies published that state that the DS is the most effective WLS for resolving diabetes.  I have major metabolic issues and I am also insulin resistant which was one of the contributing reasons why I chose the DS over revising to the RNY. 

The biggest issue post-op is vitamin and mineral deficiency.  But in all honesty, most all DSers had to travel for their DS since there are so few vetted/experienced surgeons that can preform it without risking major complications.  Financially, I cannot afford to go back and forth to Houston every few months just for blood work.  So my PCP here has agreed to help me stay on top of my vitamin levels and work with me and my surgeon.  I'm due for 3 month labs now so we'll see how that goes.

Honestly, if you are working with your Dr's and you are knowledgeable about what you need to do and you are able to advocate to your Dr's what it is that you need...  I don't see the problem. 

The DS does require more skill than the RNY. Apparently sewing the duodenum is like sewing wet tissue paper---this is why it's SO important to use a surgeon highly experienced in doing the DS.

As for diabettes---better than 98% of diabetics who get the DS achieve total remission, compared with about 85% with the RNY. Sadly, a significant number of RNYers who do achieve remission are seeing their diabetes come back about five years later. In your situation, I'd definitely hold out for the DS.

Most of us did travel for our DS, and we get our follow-up stuff done by our local PCP, with lab results, etc. faxed to our surgeons. You really only need a WL surgeon for surgery. As a diabetic, I assume you have an endo you see regularly---he or she should be a good person to do your follow-up.

If you're going to TX, go to Stewart.

Thanx everyone .I am going nto check out Dr Chu in my area. I will let you know .According to her office she does do the switch What should I should ask her .

Gary

You should ask her how many DSes she has done, who she trained with, what her complication rate is, and various details about exactly HOW she does the DS. (Hess method, etc.) Does she have an aftercare program? What about pre-op education?