Hi
Liz.
Dr Nottle requires you to stay in Melbourne two weeks, so you would need to travel and stay anyway. I'm not sure what his arrangements with Medicare are like, too, and private health insurance.
Harrietvane, how did you manage the after care and follow ups after having the DS surgery done in Canada? Whilst living in Singapore. As I live in Queensland, so I would have to fly to Melbourne, do you skype etc?
I had the pre-consult by phone, and have had subsequent consults by phone - though really, the surgeon is just there for the cutting! I have a list of blood tests to run and my doctor here in Singapore orders them for me and manages me on a day-to-day basis. I'm now on an annual schedule. (Quarterly the first year, biannually the second year.)
Are you both happy you had the Classic DS?
Very! I've gone from 118kg and struggling even though I was doing the 'right' things to 64kg and able to live a normal life. My high blood pressure and oedema in my legs disappeared overnight.
How many vitamins do you need to take each day?
I take a fair few, but only in two lots. It becomes just part of life. And I got really good at taking a handful at a time, so I don't really notice it. Multi, vit D (though I also get a shot for this), calcium, vit A, iron and zinc for me.
Do you have issues with lactose and gluten? Any issues with SBS?
I was a little lactose intollerant the first few months but it quickly resolved. Re carbs, same thing. You have to learn what your body reacts to and then it's up to you to decide if the consequences are worth it. I don't avoid bread etc personally, but I do limit it because it fills me up fast and I want to prioritise protein. The real thing I can't eat is salad greens - go right through me.
I know the classic DS has been around for 20 years, and so far has the best weight loss results. I had also been looking at the SIPS surgery, I have previously had the lap band regrettably, and the sleeve surgery, with losing 30 kgs initially on both, I am back to the drawing board and have 50 to 60 kg's to lose again now, as I have now regained, 20 kgs, so three years later, my sleeve has stretched, same with my Hubby.
I was a revision from a lapband, so I understand feeling like you've 'failed'. But the lapband now shows to have been pretty useless for most of us (not to mention the fact that you end up with disordered eating 'cause you can't swallow stuff!) and the sleeve is basically a diet. But I've not regretted this decision at all and the weightloss has been as 'effortless' as it could be. I don't really exercise other than general movement (and I walk a lot given I don't have a car here). The sleeve is the first part of the DS anyway, so I would say just go and finish it off!
My Hubby and I have recently seen a surgeon on the Gold Coast who is looking at SIPS surgery, and he tells me he has met the USA Surgeons Roslin and Cottam who have pioneered this surgery and how there are studies being done in Quebec comparing the SIPS surgery and the classic DS surgery. However I am in two minds about which one to have and I am keen for some more information about the Classic DS surgery, if your able to tell me anything at all, ie advantages etc.
I would say: you've tried twice and this is your last shot. Don't bet your life and happiness on a 'maybe'. If you need to travel, do it. A couple of weeks away is a small price to pay in the overall scheme of ensuring a happy and healthy life. The Quebec studies are likely to be Dr Gagner, if I were to guess. He did offer me SIPS as an option but was happy to do the 'true' DS when I asked for it and explained why.
I went to Dr Gagner in Montreal because I needed my lapband removed at the same time, and the US was crazy expensive with the exchange rate as a self-pay. It was about AUD20K in Canada, including staying in the hotel after and the private nurse, and I think about the same for those who went to Mexico for Dr Esquerra. I then had a very sedate week in New York after (feeling a bit like I had been hit with a truck!) before flying home. If you do plan to travel, though, I'd suggest you look at at least premium economy flights. I was lucky enough to be able to go business, as it was a 24-hour trip from New York back to Singapore. If you need to take money out of your super, do it - else you might not be around to spend it in your retirement living a happy and healthy life!
