Recommendations for a surgeon

[Dover421]

Hi everyone! I had the gastric sleeve surgery in 2011, didn’t lose much to begin with and gained some of it back. I’m now looking to have the DS but I’m having a hard time finding a surgeon that I trust. I guess I want someone experienced with these types of revision surgeries who is also in network with my insurance (federal BCBS). I live in the Kansas City, MO area but I’m willing to travel.

I would really appreciate any recommendations for great DS surgeons so I can look them up to see if they are in network for me. Dr K and Dr Rabkin are not in network, unfortunately.

Thank you very much!

 

[Karen Pray]

Dr. Greenbaum moorestown New Jersey

 

[southernlady]

Dr. Ayoola Denton? Texas
Dr. Boyce, Knoxville, TN
Dr. Sudan, Raleigh-Durham, NC
Dr. Ng Raleigh, NC (different office)
Dr. Simper’s office, SLC Utah
Dr. Dennis Smith, Celebration, FL.
The doctors at Abington, PA
There are others slipping my mind right now.
Any vetted DS surgeon can do the VSG to DS revision as it is truly just one part of the DS.

 

[Karen Pray]

Dr. Ayoola Denton? Texas
Dr. Boyce, Knoxville, TN
Dr. Sudan, Raleigh-Durham, NC
Dr. Ng Raleigh, NC (different office)
Dr. Simper’s office, SLC Utah
Dr. Dennis Smith, Celebration, FL.
The doctors at Abington, PA
There are others slipping my mind right now.
Any vetted DS surgeon can do the VSG to DS revision as it is truly just one part of the DS.

Any in Boston Massachusetts?

 

[JackieOnLine]

Hi and Welcome!

 

[southernlady]

Any in Boston Massachusetts?

None there. Closest to there is PA.

 

[hilary1617]

Hi and welcome Dover421 and Karen Pray! Looking forward to following your journeys!

 

[DianaCox]

Bernita Berntsen at

Weight Loss Surgery | The University of Kansas St. Francis Campus

The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus has the most experienced weight loss surgery program in the region.

kutopeka.com

in Topeka.

 

[Larra]

Georgepds I've never heard of either or these surgeons as someone doing the DS. So, I clicked on the link you provided and they list gastric bypass, sleeve, and lap band as the procedures they do - DS isn't there. I also checked out the pages specific to the two surgeons - no mention of the DS.
It would be great if there were DS surgeons in the Boston area, but I don't there are any. If you have different information, please let us all know. We are always on the lookout for surgeons doing the standard of care DS.

 

[Sheanie]

George, being a Center of Excellence doesnt mean very much, I am afraid. My surgeon was at a COE, and he was awful.

 

[Larra]

Georgepds this is interesting info, but I have two issues with their approach (assuming they are still offering DS under any circumstances):

1. It is rarely necessary to do the DS in 2 stages for medical reasons. Forcing people who want the DS to have 2 operations, 2 recoveries, and perhaps worst of all 2 tries at authorization from their insurer makes no sense medically and with many insurers will result in denials for the second operation. I have had the sad experience of reviewing many insurance plans' bariatric surgery criteria, and often they have specific exclusions for doing the DS in two stages.

2. if they are only doing the DS under this plan, I doubt they are doing it very much, which is not good in terms of experience, familiarity, and comfort with doing this operation.

Speaking only for myself, as these are personal decisions, I wouldn't put up with this. I would travel as far as needed to get a 2 anastamosis DS with a surgeon who does the DS as one operation on a regular basis.

 

[Sheanie]

How was he awful?

He planned to do it in 2 steps. When I insisted, he got pissy, in Pre-op. With my husband there. I never saw him again. He DID do the entire DS, in one op. Another surgeon saw me in hospital. Followup was with his PA. Dietary, vitamin, lab and iron infusion followup was miserably poor. They let my ferritin drop to 9 before notifying me, and even then merely advised oral iron. Since then, I have taken the steering wheel. My local MD runs labs, I interpret them and tweak my vites. I nod and smile when the MD talks, but I do my own thing. For example, I no longer disclose my specific diet, nor do I follow her vitamin recommendations. Her advice was to eat more vegetables, and take far less vitamins. Because of the wonderful vets here, I know not to do that.

I will be 10 years out in August. No current issues that any other 59 year old doesnt have. Osteoporosis, arthritis in my knitting fingers. But otherwise feel like a teenager.

 

[southernlady]

Thank you for the reply. Really glad you are doing so well


It's good to take charge of your own health

One newbie question... what's wrong with vegetables. The reason I ask is for a while I've had a cup of succotash ( a mix of peas, carrots,green beans,corn,lima beans) mixed with butter and salt each day. Not in place of q vitamins, but in addition. That's pretty much it for vegetables. Is there harm in it?

No harm after you eat all your protein that meal. But succotash is high carb. Try leafy green veggies or squash or any low carb veggie. Beans are acceptable because they are higher in fiber.

 

[Sheanie]

George, you have hit upon THE reason why we are so adamant about the one stage DS.

The metabolic benefit is greatest when done in one op. It is hugely reduced when used as a second stage WLS.

If anyone I loved were to get the DS, one step would be the only option. As many have told you before, there is no reason not to complete it in one go. Only rarely the surgeon runs out of time, or scar tissue makes it impossible. But that is rare. More often, the surgeon wants to earn more $$.

 

[Carmela2017]

Hi... they do seem to hide it. My experience is they will make you get a VSG, and then, a year later they will do the standard double anastomosis conversion to duodenal switch.

Last year they listed it, after you mentioned it, I saw it was not on the web site.... but they do it. Both Lautz and Doyon

My recommendation, for someone in the area, is to go to the information session ,it's free, and given by Lautz. One can just ask him.

The weight loss center is a bariatric center of excellence, with access to psychologists and dietitians. The hospital has broader access to cardiologists, endoscopy, and other specialists if you need specific clearance for surgery

But you're right, it is rare in Massachusetts. But these surgeons do it.

Emerson Hospital is not a good Massachusetts hospital. No one in Mass does the DS, let alone any revisions of other surgery's to DS.