Sharon T - PA

Hi, I was a member of this board earlier in the year when I was deciding what type of surgery to pursue. I had an open DS on 7/11/05. I am very happy with my choice and have been doing quite well. If you are interested in learning more about the DS, I would suggest you go to www.duodenalswitch.com. There are several regular Canadian posters, although most of them came to the states for their DS as I understand it is very difficult to get this surgery in Canada with very long waiting lists. Since my surgery, I've lost 92 pounds and I continue to lose. I decided against the band because it wasn't right for me. YMMV. Lots of luck in your decision making. Sharon Open DS 7/11/05 Dr. Peters 272/180/140

If this comes through twice, sorry!!!! I've been lurking around here following your saga...just wanted to say congratulations!! I know how much you've wanted this. I've received a surgery date, and insurance approval for my DS....I will be switched on July 11th Just wanted to wish you well with your newly-banded life!!! Sharon

I live about two hours from New York City, two hours from Philadelphia. I'm in Northeast PA..... I'm looking for suggestions since my first experience has been less than impressive. Thanks to all of you in advance. Sharon

My condolences to Carolyn's family - what a tragic end to such a beautiful, supportive and loving person. Sharon

If you've followed any of my posts you'll know I was still debating about my course of surgery - and I've decided to go in a different direction than the band. All of you have been really a tremendous source of information and support and wish all of you the best of luck on the losing side. Sharon

My appointment yesterday was with the DS surgeon and that's where I'm headed. I'm grateful for the referral, I just think this is the right path for me. Sharon

Oh, I'm hoping to be one.....just got my appointment for my psych consult and she's local, liked her a lot. Whoohooo moving right along.

Glad it went well for you Crystal.....lots of happy losing ahead! Sharon

ACK Denied? Based on what???? I'm so sorry, you were so ready!!!! Don't give up yet!!!! Sharon

Ok even pre-banding this made me laugh. I've often talked at inanimate things that tick me off LOL. Nice to know you can keep a sense of humor about something that seems fairly icky!! Sharon

I'm all about averages - I will keep that in mind when I get to join you all on the losing side.

Thanks to Alex for the referral!! I may lose an additional hour driving but for piece of mind? Priceless I also spoke with the initial office today (they called me). Seems after I cranked a bit about not calling my insurance, they did, and there is coverage in my plan (ok so they gain a point for this!!!). Told them I wasn't happy and was consulting another practice - she was "shocked" but quite nice about it. We'll see, I haven't closed the door just in case. Thanks to all of you who posted to my original plea! Sharon

Glad you are ok. The NE weather does really suck. I'm so ready for spring...bring IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL you sure do you have your share of challenges....I'm trying to ignore most of them until I make up my mind!!! From the DS perspective, I figure I'm pretty stinky now so maybe it would counteract???

Seems like that's the surgery with the most gas/odors as far as I can tell. And not all of them have the ongoing issues, although on the DS board there are many creative ideas to getting rid of the smell in the house. I have to admit it's one of the things making me lean away from it.... good luck deciding Lisa.

Now I'm extra ticked since I typed this all out once and deleted it by mistake! Ok, yesterday I had my required "seminar" with Dr. Kwon's office. Keep in mind this is the closest band doctor to me, and it's still about an hour from work, hour and 1/2 from home. Just to set the stage: the "pre-surgery" consult requirements are weight loss, two support group meetings, psych consult, bloodwork, nutritional consult, cardiologist, gastro consult and EGD, seminar, Nurse practitioner physical. There are a number of things that are not sitting well with me. First, the whole seminar was a Nurse Practitioner reading from an Inamed brochure, and another women who I named (silently of course) the scale nazi...since she was all over the "if you don't comply you are in trouble". (she's the nutrionist on staff I think...about a size 6 talking about how she just hates to exercize) Truthfully, I could have led this seminar based on all the research I've done in advance of making the decision. Second, it's the whole diet thing...they require a loss of 5% of total body weight before surgery. I get this from a surgical standpoint. However, they spent most of their time talking about how they'll weigh us once, then again the day before surgery and if we've gained anything, they will cancel. They told us the diet to be on (shakes and small meal) and said it's to determine our "commitment" to the band. Most of this time was spent on how we should find a way to exercize, and how much a serving of Protein is. Um, no kidding....I'm not unaware of how much food I should be eating, I have a PROBLEM. Hence the reason I'm here!! The next irritating thing was the nurse and the scale nazi told us they had "names" for certain patients who screwed up...like the "Steak Guy" who had to go in because he got a piece of steak lodged in his band, and the "Watermelon Woman" who ate so much watermelon she wasn't losing any weight. This was pretty offensive to me, although they assured us the patients knew they called them these names and they were ok with it. I just thought it was so unprofessional. Ok, on to my next challenge. This is the second visit with this practice. It's far to get there. I haven't even met the surgeon yet...and I won't until all my pre-surgical testing is done. And, they won't contact my insurance until then either. So I haven't met the surgeon, don't know if I'll like him, and I won't know if my insurance will even cover until I've spent quite a few dollars (I have a deductible/co-insurance PPO). I've explained to them that my insurance advised the MD office to call themselves to the "doctor" line...but they won't, and the insurance won't tell me anything else. I did schedule the testing, which won't be until April 5th, but I'm really having second thoughts here. It's also going to months before I even get a date because they want a committed patient... I want to move forward. I want to feel good about my surgeon and the process I will need to go through. I just didn't get an overwhelming feeling of confidence yesterday. I guess I'm looking for your reactions here - am I overreacting? Would you have looked for another surgeon or would you have sucked it up in order to get your band? HELP. :cross-eye Sharon

Whooohooooo have a great banding day! See you on the losing side! Sharon

I have to say I would wait and see....I've had people suggest to me that I should try and be on that show....but I could never do it. I'm way too concerned that I would never live the same way again. The band will allow you your life, only better. That would be my choice. Good luck! Sharon

I'm sitting here chuckling to myself that I'm complaining about the name calling of patients and I gave a not so nice name to the nutrionist who just rubbed me the wrong way. Thanks for the input - I have a lot to think about.

When I went to see my PCP last week, he gave me a prescription card that states "morbid obesity and joint pain". I've spoken to the Banding doc office and they stated that I need more than that - although since I don't get to see them until Friday, I don't really know what to request from the PCP. (they didn't give me a lot of detail about what should be in the letter - only that the prescription card isn't good enough...sigh) I'd like to draft something then drop it off at the PCP office, hoping he'll put it onto letterhead and sign it. Part of the problem, I think, is that he gave me a referral to the weight loss clinic within the health system - I can't even get a consultation there until May - so I'm sure he thought that would be enough. Ok, long winded enough. Can anyone help? You can send me a PM if you prefer. Thanks.

Just wondering if anyone here on this board has used Dr. Kwon. I've communicated with one person on OH but haven't seen any references here. So far, I like his staff, although they are a bit abrupt (but so am I so that's ok!!). Thanks! Sharon T.:nervous

I've never even thought about Mexico - because I"m quite hopeful that I will be able to get my band approved through insurance. However, I was searching around Dr. Ortiz's site and was thinking that a quick vacation to Cancun coupled with surgery would be quite nice LOL. Of course there is all that dealing with fills and local post op care - but I had to ask - has anyone done the Cancun thing? Just curious. Sharon

So it appears that Dr. Kwon's office is one of the "you must lose weight" before banding.....5% of your total body weight, so they know you are "committed". I'm not sure how I feel about this. I don't have great alternatives however, and I did like the people and the aftercare as they explained it. So now assuming I will continue in this path, I have to lose 13lbs before they will do the surgery. Great. Not that I can't do it, I"m an expert at losing - I"m also an expert at gaining, obviously. Thanks for all the positive vibes. I'm still thinking this is the right direction, I just need to get my brain around it more. Sharon

Ok so I thought I was mentally prepared for this. I've been researching for what feels like forever. I'm down to two choice, with the band as the front runner. Today I have my first consult with the nurse only - don't even see the doctor yet, but I'm a nervous wreck!! I woke up all kinds of swollen (PMS I think) and my stomach is in knots. Please send some positive vibes my way today - I could use them. You all have been a tremendous source of information and I am so grateful that I found this site. Sharon

Thanks!! I'm sure I will be fine. I will post for sure when I get home tonight. FYI - I'm going to Dr. Kwon in Port Jervis, NY. It's about an hour north for me, I'm glad it stopped snowing this morning! Sharon