Any Tennesseans with DS?

Hi everybody! Thanks for all these responses. I am not sure if I'm doing this right, but I want to kind of reply to everybody at once. I didn't replty to the person who originally said that the DS is outdated and surgeons refuse to do it, because I assumed she was actually talking about the JIB surgery. There were indeed a lot more problems with that surgery than with the ones they're doing more now. But there are still some people out there with a JIB in splace. They're not doing revisions on them unless they're having problems. The most common problems people have with that surgery actually are unrelated to malnutrition, but the consequences of having small bowel floating free in the abdomen. It isn't being used for digestion, but still has the bateria for digestion, which goes wild in there and causes problems. So, we go on and learn from those mistakes. The RnY is kind of the next step forward. As far as the DS being out of date - it actually is a variation on the RnY. The procedure on which these are based has been in use for almost 20 years, at least. As far as I'm concerned, ALL weight loss surgery is very, very drastic! So, as far as why so many surgeons don't do the DS and the do the RnY - the fact is that doctors have their own preferences, and things that are interesting or rewarding for them to do. Some docs only do the lap band, some only do the RnY. It's not that the smart doctors do the RnY or the ones who do one surgery rather than the other are better. It's just what they want to do. So the trick is to figure out what you need and THEN find someone the best to do it for you. So you have all raised some interesting points here. I am indeed planning to attend the 2 Dec. meeting with Dr. Husted. I'm very much looking forward to it! I have any number of questions ready to go. I've already attended a seminar at Baptist, but it was a general seminar and Dr. Spaw wasn't there. The information about Dr. Spaw not liking the post-op care and followup probably would be a little bit less of a problem for me than for someone without the education and experience I've had. As far as supplements and so on. But it's something to think about in case of complications. My priority in choosing a surgeon is close to 100% experience. Dr. Husted has done hundreds of the DS open, but according what's published on the web, "only" about 75 of them laparoscopically. Dr. Spaw's office tells me he's done about 60 of them laparascopically. So that's an appreciable difference, but it's not like he's done 3 vs. Dr. H's 75. As far as the other surgeon mentioned, I'll have to look into that, as well! I fear I'll have a bit of time to look whilst my insurance company thinks. I'm afraid I'm pretty much limited to what they'll cover, as I'm on a fixed income. Again, thanks to everybody. I really appreciate the new things that you've given me to think about! Love Dennie

Hi Dennie, What a lovely diplomatic post! I do hope that everything works out for you with your insurance. I just wanted to also tell you that I have constipation predominant IBS and, as I had hoped, the DS surgery has solved that problem. I'm pretty early out, but so far so good! Your carreer choice sounds very interesting, too! And I'll bet you weren't on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year in and year out! Good for you! Baby Catcher

Baby Catcher - My career was FASCINATING and nerve-wracking. I took that first job in neuro (There was NOT a nursing shortage when I graduated) and found out that even though it wasn't what I'd envisioned myself doing at all, it was a good match. I worked in ICU and ED, hoping to get the experience that a L&D nm would be looking for, but I finally decided to just stick with neuro. But notonly did I NOT take on-call 24/7, I didn't carry ALL the responsibility whilst I was there, like you did. I'm **So** relieved to hear that someone with constipation-IBS has had relief with this surgery. If I didn't have some benefit in that area, I truly don't think I'd be able to enjoy the weight loss. Love Dennie

Dennie, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, that what Dr. Husted does is a "hand-assisted laproscopic" procedure. He does make an incision of around 3-4 inches so that he can more accurately measure the intestines by hand and the rest he does laproscopically. I'm not sure if that's how he continues to do it now that he's moved out to CA or not, but I know that's how he did it in Nashville, at least at first. I know this because I actually had a consult with him and he looked at my belly and showed me where the incision would be. I'm assuming you know about Dr. Husted's online discussion forum: http://www.ccfos.com

Hi Dennie, I vote for Dr. Husted in CA, or Dr. Dennis C. Smith in GA. My two, anne

Also on the DS board it plainly states and I quote that "this surgery is controversial and ...also " due to possible LONG TERM EFFECTS and CONCERNS of malabsorption and techinical difficulties many surgeons do not preform this surgery" not because they cannot.. or are not. as experienced as those that do perform this surgery . I believe I DO have my facts straight and by the way I Was at Baptist hospital seminar this past winter and I did talk to directly to the surgeons there that do perform this type of surgery, but all weight loss surgery is really a matter of choice and I only wanted you to make sure that was what you want it is not important what I or anyone else thinks only you know your own body I was also told by the speaking surgeon that DS was really for patients with higher BMIS.... Arianna