Pre-Op ?? w/ Dr. Fallang

I have researched and researched and researched some more and had it narrowed down to Barix, Dr. Curry and Dr. Fallang. since I'm self pay and Dr. C and Dr. Fallang are over $8K less expensive, I have ruled out Barix. I know Dr. C. uses a 10 day liquid diet before surgery. Can anyone tell me what the pre-op procedure is w/ Dr. Fallang? I'm really leaing towards him (closer to home and same price as Dr. C). have heard good things about both Dr.'s. My other dilemma is that I had already decided I wanted the procedure done by laproscope but Dr. F's office tells me his open incision is only 4-6" long and the longest lap incision is 2 1/2"....and it is $4K cheaper to go open. I would appreciate everyone's thoughts on this also. I have a date of December 27th with Dr. Fallang. I could have had it sooner but need to delay sick leave until as late as possible but still get the tax deduction this year . I need to go back to work the following week (1/3/05). Thoughts??? Thanks a bunch!!

Bev, I know Dr. Fallang, he is a good surgeon, and you'd be in good hands with either of us, but my question is looking at your BMI - have you thought about a lap band? Your weight loss results at 5 years would be about the same and the risk is significantly lower. Just a thought, Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545

Dr. C, It was never really an option I felt comfortable with. My sister had lapr. rny and she told me of people in her support group who had trouble w/ it and then when I went to Dr. Maguire's support groups I heard more stories about people that had had it done. Thank you for the thought Bev

I have my one-on-one with Dr. Fallang next Wed. (11/23). I will let you know. It can't be too many days on a liquid diet, I have my surgery on 12/6/04. Good Luck!! Pam

I had my surgery 3 and 1/2 months ago with Dr. Fallang. It was open and my incision is only 4 1/2 inches long. I am EXTREMELY happy with Dr. Fallang and his staff. I am a self pay too. If you have any questions about him or his staff please email me privately. By the way, I"m down 67 pounds

At the University of Cincinnati we were the first advanced laparoscopic bariatric program in the tri state area and as such we have accumulated a significant amount of experience with this type of surgery. It has been shown that advanced laparoscopic fellowships (full/1-2years) have shown to improve the safety and outcome of bariatric surgery performed in this manner. At UC we have two such surgeons with follow up done in West Chester, OH which is only 15 minutes south of Dayton and there is one at St. Elizabeth's in N. Kentucky and I have heard that one may be coming to Dayton this summmer. So in experienced hands Laparoscopic RNY is as safe as open, with so many more benefits to the patient. We do not have our patients on a preop liquid diet and have not had to convert to open due to liver size with BMI up to 90. We do not use postoperative Barium swallows nor do we leave drains after the procedure and most patients are out of the hospital in 1-2 days. We also have extensive reoperative experience for failed surgery and extremely complex patients that other surgeons have refused. Even though I wish no one ever had to pay out of pocket we do offer it to those who have exhausted all other options. Lap RNY is 19,500.00 and Lap Band which I will perform starting in late December or January will be between 13,000.00 and 14,000.00. Although experience does matter I realize that patients have to be comfortable with your surgeon because he will be taking care of you for life. Please forgive the intrusion into your conversation. I hope that I have not been to forward with this information, I just want people to know more options. Sincerely, Calvin Selwyn, M.D. Assistant Professor of Surgery University of Cincinnati

Hi Bev....I had my RNY surgery with Dr. Fallang on 7/29/04. I have lost 65 lbs. Dr. Fallangs theory on open versus lap is that he can see better what he is doing with open. He will do Lap but prefers Open. My incision is 4 inches long, [Just measured]. I had no trouble with the surgery. Dr Fallang and his staff are wonderful. Everyone is so caring and nice. Always on a first name basis. He has an informational meeting that I would advise you to attend. He does require that you do. He gives the meeting himself and stays after to talk one on one with people. You can tell that he is dedicated to his job. There is NO pre-op liquid diet to deal with. I have nothing but good to say about him or his staff. My daughter also had the surgery and she feels the same way. If you have any questions or would just like to talk my email address is [email protected]. Good luck! Anna L Archer Celina Ohio RNY 6/27/04 [email protected]

Hey...I forgot to tell you in my last reply that you can go to www.surgicalweightloss.net and it will give you information about Dr. Fallang. It is his informational website. Anna L Archer

If I were you personally I would chose Dr. Curry over Dr. Fallang. I have heard nothing but wonderful about him. Chelle

Hi, I had my lap done with Dr. Curry on October 11, 2004. I am the BIGGEST chicken when it comes to having anything done to me let alone surgery. I wasn't looking forward to having and open incision so when Dr. C said he could do me lap, I was ESTATIC! I can honestly say I was, for the most part, pain free. I was sore-like when I had given birth to our son but NOTHING compared to what I expected nor thought I would have had with an open incision. The 10 day liquid diet isn't that bad either. Personally, I think it helps prepare you for the diet post op. I am the biggest baby and the worse one to do what I'm told and I did it and at my one month post op visit, I had lost a total of 49 lbs. since surgery. Go with whom you feel comfortable that's for sure but for me Dr. C. can't be beat and neither can having it done lap! Beth