Looking for a good DS surgeon

Hi guys/gals,

I've been reading posts for about a week and am really interested in the DS surgery. I live in the Tampa Bay, Florida area and am not seeing a lot of options here that perform DS. I have Humana insurance and DS is covered and I meet all requirements. I'd prefer to go with someone who is close to me but I am open to traveling in the US if there is a really good surgeon out there.

My BMI is 68 so I'm definitely on the bigger side, though I have been able to maintain a relatively active lifestyle for my size. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will have to look and see if they are in my network, of course.

Oh also, I have to get my surgery through a Center of Excellence, otherwise Humana won't cover it, so that's partly why I am asking for help, because my options around here seem limited.

Thanks!

Mike G.

Mike

I would suggest you get the best surgeon you can, and yes you will have to travel.  You have a fairly high BMI.   CA has 2 great surgeons, Drs Keshishian and Rabkin, I know Keshisian is a COE and that is who I would suggest.  Insurance issues are something you would have to address with the office staff.  But do it right the first time or you will be posting on the revision board.  Good luck in your travels

Thank you... I am researching my options now and will add these doctors to my list.

Your BMI puts you as a great DS candidate, for it does give you the absolute best statistics of weight loss and smallest amount of regain.  First of all, welcome from a former Tampon (I grew up in Tampa). Dr. Smith is an excellent DS surgeon with and has recently moved to Florida from Atlanta:

http://www.advancedobesitysurgery.com/about.asp

Thanks so much Valerie. I just found him yesterday and have been looking over his site. I'm very glad that you mentioned him because I am so nervous about picking someone. Being that he's in the Orlando area, it would be SO much easier for me than flying out of state. He would be less than a 2-hour drive for me.

He does seem to be very good, and I have even reached out to 5 or 6 people on here who had their DS surgery through him though I haven't heard back anything yet. I am excited for the DS though also nervous cause I have no idea what life is like post-DS. I guess that's a pretty common feeling to have.

Thanks again for your comments, I have read a lot from you on here. So very cool that you are from Tampa!

I haven't heard whether or not Dr. Smith has continued his DS practice in FL, but he definitely has an excellent reputation and is known for doing a very thorough evaluation pre-op on his patients. If he is available to you he'd be a great choice. If he isn't, get ready to travel.

Larra

Just to update everyone...

I was able to attend the seminar put on by the good folks at Celebration Health (Florida Hospital) in Celebration, Fl (right outside Orlando). Dr Kim is the main guy there, but he has been recently joined by Dr. Dennis Smith (from Georgia). Dr. Smith specializes in DS surgery and from my reviews online and talking to staff and patients in person, he is very good.

I really had a great experience at the seminar. Dr. Smith spoke for a few minutes and seemed very polite and not ego driven, unlike some other doctors I've seen in the past. They had multiple speakers who were part of the program. It is very organized and they have been doing this for many years and have great pre and post surgery help available.

I left feeling better than ever to get moving on this journey. My insurance has come back with very minimal requirements (psych eval and PCP recommended), so it looks like I am on the path now to the surgery. I know it's not a magic fix and there will be lots of ups and downs ahead, but I feel like this is the best option for me at this time.

I have lost tons of weight in the past ( 100-200+ pounds on multiple occasions) but have never been able to keep the weight off. Looking at obesity as the chronic disease it is, I now see how the surgery is one of the best options available to people to do a better job of keeping the weight off (if not the only option for most).

I feel very lucky to be so close to Celebration Health and that Dr. Smith is still performing the DS surgery. I think they said he has done over 500 of them now, but don't quote me on that.

I'll continue to update and share as I move to the next steps whi*****lude meeting with Dr. Smith hopefully in the next week or two. :)

Thanks to everyone who has helped me thus far on the journey. I look forward to paying it forward as I learn more.

Mike

Congratulations on your progress thus far! Keep us updated!