Question:
Needing info/sites on Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery

Hello All. I need any info you have on MiniGastric Bypass surgery. This may be an option for me. I have found a doctor that does this surgery: it's a lot cheaper (I'm self pay) and you're not under the knife as long and they say that makes recovery easier. The only problem is I can't find any info. on the surgery other than what is on this doctor's web site. I would like to find info some place else so I can do some research. Thanks, Michelle    — MICHELLE F. (posted on February 8, 2003)

February 8, 2003
Hey Michelle, this is not about the Mini GP, but I was a self pay too & looked into that. I decided against it, & went with my surgeon, Dr Simonowitz at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, WA. It was 13,031 for everything - Surgeon, Anesthisia, Hospital & all tests. I don't know how much a hotel would be, but I wanted to give you another option as a self pay. We have a list on Yahoo, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DrSimonowitz_OSSG/ that you are more then welcome to come & ask question. He does an Open Proximal RNY, is incredibly good & upfront, & if you have the money, he can get you in pretty fast. I don't know here you are in the process, but again, it's another option for a self pay. Good luck!
   — LionGirl2k

February 8, 2003
Would you really want to get a type of surgery done for the cost that you can't find info on? I thought about it and figured if there is hardly no info on it, it scared me to think of what would happen if I did as to the regular bariatric surgery. Although there is risk with all surgeries, I prefer to go with what has studies out for the past 10 to 15 yrs. That gives you a long term outlook on it. I will have to be self pay if my son needs his knee surgery next month. So please don't take short cuts with your health. And if you do go that way, research... research... research. For you and your health.
   — cinchouli

February 8, 2003
Continue to search in search engines here on this site and all across the internet for more info about the Mini Gastric Bypass surgery. Back when I was doing my research last year, I found that this surgery is NOT being done anymore and the RNY surgery was considered the "gold standard" for weight loss surgery. I remember reading that this surgery had a poor success rate and more complications than the RNY and it was essentially dropped when RNY came about. Good luck to you.
   — thumpiez

February 8, 2003
This may be a good starting point for you. http://www.myminigastricbypass.com/
   — Yolanda J.

February 8, 2003
I researched this minigastric bypass and the doctor here in n.c. who was doing them about 2 years ago , and while it was cheaper,I was worried about 2 things . first there is a posibility of bile getting into thee stomach and causing a chemical reaction and chemical burns in the esophogus, and there is also a report that such mixing of the bile into the stomach could cause a greater chance of cancer 20 years down the road.I decided I was going to liv longer than 20 more years and didnt want to chance it. I found an inexpensive alternative , since I havent any insurance coverage.I went to Spain to one of the leading DS surgeons, Dr Baltasar. I had the duodenal Switch ,It is a wonderful surgery . Ive lost 70 pounds and have every expectation of making goal.cost for open surgery is $11,500 Lap is $15,500. In Brazil thde DS can be had for $8000 The doctor is said to be very good. DS has a higher rate of loss and very little chance to regain unlike RNY or AGB. Ive read 30% chance of regain with them.
   — Laura W.

February 9, 2003
I came across the website for the Dr. in NC who does/did the mini gastric bypass while doing research for my surgery. I e-mailed my surgeon and asked his thoughts about it since I wasn't sure of the true difference between it and the RNY. He e-mailed me back and said it wasn't done on a widespread basis, and there were reasons why. He did NOT recommend it at all. I don't remember his exact words so I don't want to write more, but the feeling I got was that it wasn't really all the safe/successful in the long run. I know it is probably hard to hear from those that are having their insurance pay for their surgeries, but this is your health, and be careful about sacrificing it for the sake of saving $$$. Good luck!
   — Fixnmyself

February 9, 2003
Hey I think I heard they dont do surgery anymore. and that the reason it was self pay was because insurance will not even think about covering it. Go to american society for bariatric surgery and look for info. I found stuff on there that changed my mind when i was thinking of having it done in NC. I would not recommend it to anybody. It seems very dangerous and he has had alot of accidents too! please research it alot more before you decide anything
   — Shonda T.

February 10, 2003
The surgery the doctor called "mini" wasnt intended for WLS. Insurance companies are routinely putting a 'not covered' for this surgery. Our surgeon has had to 'FIX' (life threatening) a few of the patients the original doctor did doing the mini. There are some people out there that have done fine; but the MAJOR problem with the mini is 'acid reflux' that can cause MAJOR problems. If your looking for a lower cost - concider going out of state. Our doctor's charges including the hospital was less than ten thousand in NC; compared to $20,000 inother states.
   — star .