Comparison

[Larra]

DS won't fix your hypothyroidism at all, but then there is no bariatric surgery that would. You need to take thyroid supplementation for that. But it will help with the sleep apnea and hypertension. And since a tight sleeve might (probably would) make your GERD worse, having a DS, where a looser sleeve is sufficient, would again be a better choice. A stand alone sleeve done loosely is pretty much doomed to failure, which is why many sleeve surgeons do tight sleeves these days.

 

[kevin86]

DS won't fix your hypothyroidism at all, but then there is no bariatric surgery that would. You need to take thyroid supplementation for that. But it will help with the sleep apnea and hypertension. And since a tight sleeve might (probably would) make your GERD worse, having a DS, where a looser sleeve is sufficient, would again be a better choice. A stand alone sleeve done loosely is pretty much doomed to failure, which is why many sleeve surgeons do tight sleeves these days.

Yeah I didn't think that the surgery would help work hypothyroidism but figured I'd list it. Thank you for all the help larra

 

[kevin86]

I don't consider distance to surgeon very relevant, and went outside the US for my surgeon. My follow up is mainly getting blood drawn for labs, and I wouldn't have my surgeons office doing that any way. My local PCP does that. I'll forward the results to my surgeon if I feel like it, especially if there is anything that I might like his input on, but my pcp does great at following my labs with me, and when there is anything that she thinks needs to be addressed more closely, she has no issue referring me to an endocrinologist or whatever specialist would best address it. That is how I want it.

The main drawback to the DS over the sleeve for me is that I have to not only commit to taking a variety of supplements, but paying attention to the lab work and reading it myself to try to ensure nothing is overlooked. I also know that the vitamins I take are totally non-negotiable, and it can be fatal if I'm negligent about taking them.

I understand what you're saying but I guess I'm just the concerned type. I just get concerned that if something happened to me that involved the surgery I would have no way to get to the surgeon in a timely manner. That was my only concern with the distance.

 

[DSRIGGS]

I understand what you're saying but I guess I'm just the concerned type. I just get concerned that if something happened to me that involved the surgery I would have no way to get to the surgeon in a timely manner. That was my only concern with the distance.

Once you have the DS and if later on you had say a small bowel obstruction then a good local surgeon would be able to take care of that issue. Good surgeons and ER docs will consult if there are concerns but in a situation like this hypothetical there is no reason for your original cutter to be the one that has to do some emergency surgery. General surgeons fix obstructions and intestinal hernias all the time.

I had a revision to my DS with Dr Keshishian in Glendale, CA and I live in central, IL. . My wound somehow got infected two weeks later and I was in the ER. They did a CT and found significant air and fluid in my peritonial cavity so they called Dr K for his opinion. He told them to admit me as with that finding it was probable that I had a perfed bowel. I was admitted and followed by a the local surgical group on call for that hospital. After a day they figured out there was no perforation but had interventional radiology drain the fluid and air from cavity and wound. ...then treated me with iv antibiotic for 3 days and 10 day home course. The point is that non DS surgeon was ready to operate at the drop of a hat and I had no concern with him doing any needed surgical repair.