SO.....

I went to Dr Patching's group appointment on Thursday. He stated the different options for surgery. 1. The RNY lapriscopic surgery and 2nd the lapriscopic Lap Band. He stated that he expects the surgeons to lose weight to get ajusted to the nw body. I have a questions? Should I keep him as a surgeon? Should I got to my PCP and find a different Surgeon?

That depends…. What were you hoping to hear from him? Not sure what is meant by- "He stated that he expects the surgeons to lose weight to get adjusted to the new body." Were you hoping to have a VSG or DS? Then another Bariatric Surgeon would be the best bet. But, if you were hoping to have RNY or LAP-BAND, Then he sounds like maybe the guy. Need more info to help out on this one….. Hope You get what you need… Best Wishes- Dx

I don't know. I just know that I want the surgeon with minimal obsticles.

OK, You can check with other patients who have used Patching at- Patching’sPatients Most seem very pleased with him. There’s also a list of those who have used him at- PatientsList-for-Dr.Patching Perhaps drop any of them a PM? OH has a little info on him- OH-Profile-for-Patching So does Sutter Med Center- http://suttermedicalcenter.org/bariatrics/ Looks like he has the experience with Laproscopic work, Doing it and even teaching it since ‘93. Keep looking into your options and Finding out what you can. Best Wishes- Dx

 

 

Reading your profile I think you may be better off with the RNY...because of the diabetes.  The lap band may not cure it.  You might want to go to the California Board here at OH and see what others think of your surgeon.  Good luck, Brian from Turlock.

Hey GD.... I may be totally wrong, but it sound like you are scared of missing a targeted weight loss before surgery... The Doc may not have made it clear, that all docs like their patient to go on a crash diet...for about 2 weeks before surgery, to shrink the liver, the reason to shrink the liver is it gives them more room t manuver, and make is really more comfortable for you post op... It is a tough diet, and every man here will tell you that we came to the board and cussed, getting through that diet...but like I said, it is for 2 weeks... If I have gone off base chat back...lets see how we can help you

If I were in your shoes I would stick with the surgeon, especially if he's requiring the diet of his patients. He's looking out for your best interests and wants to make the surgery as least complicated as possible. If you feel that it's too demanding then try and find a new surgeon, but since you've already met with him why not stick it out? Just my opinion. Good luck!

Because you live in califonia, you can basically have any type of WLS you want because you havea  great external appeals process.  I'd research  all of your options......esp. the DS.  If you are a diabetic, the DS has the highest remission rate for type 2 diabetes, because it is so high (98 percent)  they are calling it a cure. Scott

You need to choose a surgeon that you feel will do what is best for you.  My primary told me when I started this journey, that the strenuous testing and approval process is to weed out the people who will not do well with the surgery so that the surgeon's statistics look good.  I really liked my surgeon from the first visit, I had asked him questions that I knew the answers to already and I like the way he responded to them.  

I  had so many tests, XRays and consults to get me ready for surgery.  I don't think there was too much that my surgeon did not know about me after all these tests.  Being post op now all this time off from work was totally worth it.  

I was nervous about the weight loss prior to surgery at my orientation program they had said you needed to loose 10% of your body weight, which for me was 36 pounds.  When I saw my surgeon he said I would be on Medifast (a liquid diet) for 4 weeks.  I was nervous I would not be able to loose so much weight in only 4 weeks.  Everyone told me I would do fine and my surgeon told me not to worry.  Well I had lost 45 pounds during that 4 week period.  Remember your surgeon does this every day and knows how your body will react.  You have to control yourself and follow the instructions, with no cheating.  It was very difficult for me to have only the chocolate flavored shakes, water and herbal tea for 1 month, but I knew that if I could tolerate this, I could handle the eating changes that were associated with my surgery.  

Good luck with your journey and just remember to always do what is best for you.

Jim 

Again, working on the assumption that you're concerned about the pre-op diet... Don't sweat it. My surgeon put me on a super-low-carbohydrate diet with the goal of losing 16 pounds. I managed to drop about 35 without too much work. Like the others have said, being able to achieve the doctor's expectations before surgery is a good indicator that you'll benefit afterwards. If you can't hack the pre-op diet, things don't look so good for you. My surgeon won't touch a patient that hasn't managed the goal he sets.