Any Tennesseans with DS?

Oh my goodness gracious!!!!!!!!! What silliness is being posted about the DS by people who have obviously NOT researched the subject. I know this because if they had actually read the published research, there is NO WAY they could possibly say these thing with a straight face! I guess that is to be expected from people who get their information from RNY surgeions...

It sounds like YOU are the one who needs to spend some time out on the DS board so you'll know what you're talking about. There are many, MANY happy and healthy people out there, even 5 years out. Now about your money comment, DS surgeons are NOT about that. The DS is a longer more complicated surgery for the surgeon, but recovery is the same for the patient (if not easier) than the RNY. A typical DS surgery takes 2-2.5 hours to perform. I've heard docs brag that they can pound out an RNY in about 30-45 min. That's about 4 RNY's to one DS, and with a price difference of only about $7k, it's definitely more profitable to pound out RNY's and bands. For anyone reading.....the only real way to get straight answers (and not profit driven ones) is to consult surgeons who perform all of the procedures you want to know about. Otherwise all you will hear are biased answers.

Arianna, When I was a few weeks post-op with the band--like you are right now--I thought it was the greatest thing going. I felt that way for several months...and then problems began, and fills and unfills and esophageal problems and weight gain and FINALLY...three years later, I had the band removed. Some people do well with the band. Some do poorly and just "disappear," giving up on the notion that they will ever be a normal weight. Others are happry to lose SOME weight, even though they remain obese. (They are the ones who say, "the band is great; I'm just not 'using my tool' the right way.") Others move on to other surgeries. The experiences run the gamut. There are also people who do VERY well with the DS and others who have complications. MOST of the people I've corresponded with who have had DS complications were non-compliant with their supplements or took up booze as a new hobby and there was one who had an eating disorder in her history and she lost too much weight post-op because she wouldn't eat...although some people have problems for no reason...just like with the band. Also, the DS is more expensive to the patient because it takes a couple of extra days in the hospital. ACTUALLY, the doctor who put my band in ended up with more money in his pocket than my DS surgeon did. Finally, since there are no qualified DS surgeons in Tennessee, going to a seminar at Baptist Hospital to learn about ALL the weight loss surgeries would be like going to a General Mototrs Convention to learn about why they think the Jaguar is a bad car. It IS more expensive, there are NOT as many, and not EVERYONE knows how to maintain one...but that doesn't mean it's a bad car. I hope your band provides the performance that you desire. Sue

PS--I used to live in Clarksville--our daughter was supposed to be born there, and then in Nashville, but ended up being a Fort Campbell baby--and have had the band and now the DS...so I guess than makes me a FORMER Tennessean with DS.

Dr. Spaw, who is a VERY QUALIFIED SURGEON at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee DOES do the DS. And, he trained under Dr. Rabkin! Before he ever trained for the DS he was training other surgeons on lap procedures. So he is an extremely qualified surgeon. And, at his seminars he explains the three procedures he performs in an unbiased way. When I told him I had decided that the RNY was the correct procedure for me, he wanted to know what I based my decision on. He truly wanted to know that I had made my own informed decision and had not been pushed there by anyone else.

Actually, I did go to a seminar at Baptist. It was a general WLS seminar, Dr. Spaw does the DS at the Baptist Weight Loss Center, which is also a Center of Excellence. Dr. Spaw wasn't there . Another doc who does both the band and the RnY was there, and very interesting. But I didn't learn anything new about the DS but I got a lot of really useful and valuable information about what exactly I'll need for the insurance co. Love Dennie

Hey Dennie. How are ya? I had my DS almost a year ago with Dr. Husted. He is now working with the Rabkins in San Francisco. The Rabkins and Dr. Husted are among the most notable DS surgeons out there. Unlike what Kathy has stated, the DS is far far far far from outdated. I see it as the standard in the future. All WLS is a blessing, but I am particularly happy with my DS because I have a relatively normal quality of eating with few limitations of what I can eat. I have to be protein conscious and take my supplements. Statistically, the DS offers the most rapid loss, the highest percentage of overall weight loss, and the least risk of significant regain. It has been 11 months for me and I have lost 104 lbs. Dr. Spaw is a nice man and an excellent laparoscopic surgeon. Dr. Husted is more experienced in and does the DS more often. Dr. Husted does many of his DS's lap these days. Most, actually. Open surgeries are typically for revisions (he is an expert in the field of revisions) and those who are very very heavy. Of course I would check out Dr. Spaw about the DS since he is local. I'm partial to Dr. Husted but aren't we all partial to our surgeons? Are you going to the December 2nd seminar in Nashville with Dr. Husted? I'll be at the support group meeting that morning prior to the seminar. I'd love to tell you all about my experience. Check out www.ccfos.com for Dr Husted's forums and www.duodenalswitch.com for great DS info. Nice to meet you!

Why not go to the expert, Dr. Dennis Smith, Jr., Marietta, GA. In 1999 he began developing a technique for the biliopancreatic diversion with Duodenal Switch to be done completely laparoscopically, which he first performed in November, 1999. He IS the ONE!!! His office is also very well organized to handle out of state surgeries. Best of luck with your search. Jinjer Huntsville, AL