Had 1st appointment with Surgeon Today

[ZollDoll 21]

Hi everyone

This is my first post. I have been reading and researching for awhile now.

I had my 1st appointment with the WL surgeon today. I went in thinking I wanted the sleeve. The surgeon recommended the DS but done in 2 stages, I would start with the sleeve and so many months later have the 2nd part for the DS.

Has anyone here had that done?

I asked questions about it and said if I am doing good with just the sleeve do I HAVE to get the 2nd part? etc, etc,

Just wanted to read if other's have gone thru this and their experience.

I already have my nutritionist appt scheduled, the cardiologist and pulmonary dr. scheduled. I still need to schedule the psych. The coordinator at the surgeons office said if everything goes ok I am looking at October/November for surgery.

[SilentBotts 138]

That's kind of interesting that they want you to have the DS. My surgeon told me that the DS is hardly ever done now.

My understanding is that the DS requires you to be under for a long enough time that it becomes risky for very obese individuals. They started doing the sleeve to get some initial weight loss in before the second part of the surgery. The sleeve was so effective that it started to replace the DS.

I would guess it's likely you'll do very well with the sleeve and may not need the second surgery.

What is your starting weight if you don't mind sharing? I had my first meeting with surgeon at around 405-410 and DS never came up as an option.

[ZollDoll 21]

start weight is 444. But I have been bouncing back and forth between 444 and 450 lately.

[Read2016 658]

@zolldoll..... If your not full comfortable with this surgeon's approach, consult another one.

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them"

Einstein

[gina171 626]

Is your surgeon in a big, serious bariatric clinic? Like Duke or the Cleveland Clinic? BC the extra training necessary for this type of operation is huge....this isn't an operation done by just any surgeon.

I would look to see if he is fellowship trained in bariatrics. Be very careful who you work with on this.

Go to their support meetings and talk to others who have had the DS.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[HanSolo1977 261]

Is your surgeon in a big, serious bariatric clinic? Like Duke or the Cleveland Clinic? BC the extra training necessary for this type of operation is huge....this isn't an operation done by just any surgeon.

I would look to see if he is fellowship trained in bariatrics. Be very careful who you work with on this.

Go to their support meetings and talk to others who have had the DS.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This. My surgery is going to be done through a "Bariatric Center of Excellence" and they don't do the DS. They actually refer out to the University of Minnesota or the mayo Clinic if I remember what the surgeon said correctly.

[gina171 626]

Doesn't get much better than mayo clinic!

Did he tell you why DS over RNY? I would think you could also be very successful with that?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[CrystalS86 48]

Our starting weights are very similar and my surgeon recommended the DS for me as well just given my higher BMI. when i went in for my consult i was almost positive i was going to do the RNY but now I am see saw'ing between the two. If you are considering the DS my advice is to do a LOT of research on it. it has been proven to be the most successful with excess weight loss (80-90%) and least amount of regain, but it also has a lot more serious side effects than the Sleeve as it is malabsorbative too. Protein intake and a strict daily Vitamin regimen is necessary.

Whats surprising to me is him recommending the switch in a two part phase, I've read a lot about people having the sleeve and getting it revised to the DS, but from what I've read, it hasnt been as successful as getting the Switch in the first place.

Like any weight loss surgery, they're all just tools. How you use them will really determine your results. Best of luck on your decision

[ZollDoll 21]

Thanks everyone.

I know this surgeon and his partner have been around for awhile.

The surgery will take place at a "Bariatric Center of Excellence"

I have only been to one support meeting so far and there were a few DS patients there, most people that "spoke" up were operated on by this surgeon. "Newer" patients sleeved, "older" patients gastric bypass.

I do not want the 2nd part, the side effects and Vitamin regimen scares me.

[ZollDoll 21]

Oh and another thought.

I was talking to a nurse who works at this hospital. She happened to bring up the gastric bypass and how she was trying to talk her niece out of getting it. I had a shocked look and was like why? I told her how I am looking into it and need to know whats wrong. She said the lap sleeve is safer.

She told me to remember one thing - THE DOCTORS ARE RUNNING A BUSINESS. ($$$$)

So part of me thinks they are recommending the 2-part DS for more money. However if I only get the sleeve done anyway they are not making any more money.