Male DS Patients - Anybody Out There?

This is my first time on this forum.....I have been lurking on the DS board since December and was looking to connect with other male DS patients and saw a post about The Men's Forum, so I did some poking around, and lo and behold, here I am.  It is nice to find The Locker Room. I am finishing up the insurance requirements this month and am looking forward to submission and (hopefully) approval in the next couple of months. 

  Yo ..  

    I see you're in Covington ..  Be sure and steer way clear of Dr. Warden there when it comes time for your surgery, if he is even still doing the DS ..     I've heard a lot of bad things about some of his past DSes .. 

What exactly have u heard? and how recently?

welcome to the dark side. if there is anything I can help you with or answer let me know.

There are a few of us. 


Definitely willing to answer questions (if I have anything to offer that'll help). 

Personally, I check out the DS board a few days a week but rarely ever spend time on this one.


Good Luck!

Why, in your opinion, are there so few DS partients?

I am curious about that as well....

There is a lot of misinformation. This Includes downplaying by doctors who don't do the procedure (or don't know the true facts).

The RNY and band procedures make surgeons almost as much money, they're  easier for them to learn, and work very well in the short term.  (and like dieting and other lesser options, for some people they work long term)

TV specials featuring DS patients don't spend any time at all selling the procedure like the other options do.  That always seemed fishy to me. 

I became interested in DS in late 2001 but could not get it covered by insurance until 2009.

Less advertising then the band. The band has a LOT of $$$$ in advertising, plus there is a lot of money in it for the surgeons. Surgery, fills, plus revisions all equal big bucks.

The RNY has been around longer, 30 years vs about 15 years for the DS.

Finally there are fewer DS surgeons because it is a more difficult surgeon to performs. It takes more skill, and actually mentoring with an experienced surgeon, it can't be learned in a weekend.

Scott

PS i am a successful DSer

There are fewer DS patients out there because it doesn't make a doctor as much money to do the DS than the RNY.  Plus it is harder to do the DS so some doctors don't want to mess with it.