Re: Calling all Dr. Ren Patients!

[Guest guest]

/Marcia,

Hi !

- I know that what you said is correct. I think I'll just wait to

see what, if anything, Dr. Herron replies to me as

what he says should be representative of the entire group. Then, I'll go

from there. I'll definitely post tomorrow to

update, tho ! ** You can feel free to say a little prayer .. just the

same :-) **

Marcia - Thanks for your input as well. I know of your surgeon's name, but

only because of some very very negative

things I read from the posts. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with her,

but I am very happy for you that all is going

well, and I wish you a continued recovery !

Later,

Donna

Donna C. Joostema

(T/L) 444-7949

WES Build Support

email: joostema@...

Marty Kanter

<shadow44@opto To: duodenalswitch

nline.net> cc:

Subject: RE: Re:

Re: Calling all Dr. Ren

08/07/01 06:23 Patients!

PM

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

If I may interject: I am a patient of Dr. Ren's, 3 weeks post-op and

thoroughly satisfied. My surgery took 6 hours, a little longer than norm

but

Ren removed my gall bladder, appendix, and repaired a massive hiatal

hernia.

The important thing was that everything went smoothly and uneventfully. I

left the hospital on the third day and was off ALL pain medication within

the week (even managed a Broadway play less than a week after discharge).

So

far, all is well. My original surgery was scheduled for 6/26 (after an

initial consult 3/26 - the delay was my choice, I wanted to finish out the

school year) but was postponed due to irregularities in my pre-op X-rays.

Dr. Ren arranged the consult with the thoracic surgeon who gave me the

all-clear (thank G-d!) and, on the spot made the new appointment for July

13th. I HIGHLY recommend her and the service you receive from her staff.

Paperwork goes out a little slower due to the resignation of her insurance

facilitator after a death in the family, but the remaining staff is still

efficient and, most of all, courteous! The care at NYU post-op was

excellent; there was no need for private care. All in all, a positive

experience and I'M FEELING GREAT!!!

The one thing you should be aware of though is that Dr. Ren is very high on

the Lap-Band procedure now; she recently observed and participated in a

number of procedures with an expert (Dr. Fielding) in Australia. She

explains it all in a posting she made to NYUMC-thinforlife

on Mon.8/6. But, remember, enthusiastic as she is about this new procedure

as she is, she is an expert at the DS and will perform the procedure that

you want.

Good luck to you in whatever course you may decide to follow.

Marcia

> Re: Re: Calling all Dr. Ren Patients!

>

>

> I ended up hanging up and immediately logged on and sent Dr.

> Herron a note.

>

> I basically told him that I certainly

>

> don't need to take a shitty attitude like that from insurance

coordinator

>

> and that if the patients are so inconsequential

>

> to them that I could just as easily cart my fat ass to Georgia to an

>

> equally competent surgeon. I told him if he felt

>

> differently, to please respond, otherwise, I'd pursue another surgeon.

>

>

> Well, then I called Dr. 's office in Georgia, only to find out there

>

> is at least a 2 month waiting list just to get a

>

> consult and that the surgery would be done sometime next year. I don't

>

> want to wait 6+ months to do this. I don't

>

> want to jeopardize my health by going to just anyone ... but I don't want

>

> to wait 6 months or more, either. I actually

>

> feel like just sobbing.

>

>

> I contacted Dr. 's office in Winston-Salem, and there's a

>

> possibility he could do the surgery lap on me

>

> since my BMI is 45 or 46 (good day/bad day sort of thing :-) ), but he

>

> certainly is more comfortable with doing it

>

> open.

>

>

> Talk to me ... tell me what you think.... am I being too impatient ?

>

> Should I pursue NY and disregard what that

>

> creep said and go around him ?? Have you heard anything about

> Dr.

>

> ?? Have you heard rave reviews

>

> about any surgeons I haven't mentioned ?? I'm appreciate

> anyone's input>>>>>

>

> {{{{Donna}}}}: What a horrible day, I agree! Man, Daryl must

> have been in

> some mood! I never talked with him until I was getting my insurance

> approval submitted, so I don't know what that would be like. I certainly

> don't see anything wrong with trying to get some information beforehand,

> especially with all this talk about Dr. Gagner not taking most insurance

> policies nowadays, etc.

>

> With a bmi of 45-46, I HIGHLY DOUBT that you'd be a candidate for

> a two part

> lap DS. Those are given to patients who have a marked increased

> risk with a

> lap DS - usually those with a bmi in the 60's (perhaps high 50's

> too, I'm not

> totally sure). I know my bmi was 45 and this wasn't even MENTIONED as a

> possibility. I don't know where Daryl got that information unless he was

> merely trying to scare you off of choosing Mt. Sinai? That would

> really piss

> me off!

>

> I think it is pretty inevitable that you may have to wait for a

> consult with

> the most reputable surgeons. It is unfortunate, but they are

> booked solid.

> I'm not sure what the wait for Dr. Herron would be or even

> Dr. Gagner.

> But, I made my consultation in Sept 2000 for November (so I had a

> wait of a

> few months). I've heard that others called the office and got earlier

> consults because of cancellations, etc. but it didn't really

> bother me that I

> had to wait. I saw it as an opportunity to do more research and

> get used to

> the idea. LOL

>

> Then, my surgery was scheduled for January 25, 2001 (from a

> November 15, 2000

> consult date). I could have had an earlier date, especially if I

> informed

> them that I could go in at a moment's notice, but once again I

> wanted to plan

> ahead and wait.

>

> I totally understand your desire to get this done YESTERDAY and

> that you are

> extremely frustrated with the bureaucratic bs, etc. I would say: Make a

> consult with both Dr. and Dr. Gagner/Herron NOW. That way

> you won't

> keep waiting. I did this -- made appointments with Dr. Gagner,

> another Dr.

> At Lennox Hill (who only did laparoscopic RNY), Dr. Macura (on

> Staten Island,

> which is closer to my home, but he only does open and I didn't

> realize he did

> the DS anyway. I thought he only did the RNY) and Dr. Driscoll

> (assistant to

> Dr. Goodman, who took my insurance since Dr. Goodman didn't take

> it anymore!

> LOL)... Then, I read more and decided the DS was for me.

> CAncelled all the

> other consults and stuck with Dr. Gagner. For me, he was the

> only way to go.

>

>

> I didn't know about Dr. Ren at NYU until later. I would check

> her out. Most

> of her patients rave about her bedside manner, accomodations at

> the hospital,

> her skills, etc. She did train under Dr. Gagner. Dr. in

> Portland, Oregon just opened a practice and she trained under Dr.

> Gagner as

> well. I've heard her office is pretty busy, though. There are also fine

> doctors in California (Dr. kershinian, spelling -and another guy - I'm

> drawing a blank sorry).. Dr. Hess in Ohio but he only does open,

> I think..

> Dr. Elairny in Kansas? Not sure where he is. I would look on the

> duodenalswitch.com website for lap surgeons who perform the DS.

>

> Hopefully Dr. Herron will respond and clear things up for you.

> I've heard

> he's very personable and responds to e-mails promptly. I would make

> appointments now so you have a spot reserved, check out other

> surgeons (like

> you just did - asking people for their experience/suggestions,

> etc.). Six

> months is a long time to wait -- but this is for the REST of your

> life. If

> you want the surgery done laparoscopically, then be sure you are totally

> comfortable with your surgeon's experience and skill. I was 110 pct

> confident in Dr. Gagner. Sure, I did (and still do) have

> headaches with the

> staff and the hospital stay wasn't great by any standards but I

> would wait

> six months for that man anyday. I personally would wait for

> the surgeon

> of choice, however long it may take. To me, picking the right

> surgeon is one

> of the most crucial aspects of the surgery process. You want to

> feel totally

> confident and secure in your decision. And, if you want laparoscopic

> surgery, I would go with some of the best lap surgeons in the country,

> especially since you mentioned you've had previous abdominal

> surgeries. I

> can only speak for Dr. Gagner and I know that he honestly has

> seen some of

> the most complex situations and has been able to perform the surgery

> laparoscopically despite this.

>

> In the end, it is up to you. I'm sure that the best surgeons are

> well worth

> the wait, however frustrating. Other surgeons may not be as popular or

> experienced (in terms of no of operations performed) but are

> still excellent.

> I hope everything works out for you! Let me know what Dr. Herron says!

>

> I haven't heard of Dr. , but anyone who says they feel more

> comfortable with an open surgery probably would NOT be the best

> surgeon to

> insist on a laparoscopic surgery with. This is ESPECIALLY true if

> you've had

> previous abdominal surgeries since there may be extensive

> adhesions/internal

> scarring. I don't think that person would have the experience and skill

> necessary for lap surgery. I think it is totally different than

> traditional

> open surgery and many surgeons may be 'trying their hand at it'

> or offering

> it due to patient demand but may not be the best choice to

> perform it. Not to

> say they are not skilled at open surgery, but that you don't want

> to be one

> of the first forays into lapwork!

>

>

> all the best and hugs,

>

> lap ds with gallbladder removal

> January 25, 2001

>

> six months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

>

> pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5' 9 1/2 " )

> now: 228

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Liane,

Consider yourself lucky. I loved sugar pre-op and post-op it is my

biggest demon. I eat lots of protein but I also crave and eat candy

and a nightly ice cream cone has become a must. Thank G-d I am not a

diabetic! I heard DS post-ops say that sugar turned them off. Not

me, I desire it just the same. The only difference is now I can't

eat the whole bag and my ice cream cones are smaller. I know I may

have to limit my sweets sometime if I want to continue losing

weight. I am 14 weeks post-op and I have lost 52 lbs. I would have

definately lost more weight by now if the sugar was cut out or

restricted from my diet. When I stop losing (I am averaging about

3.1 lbs. a week) I will see where I am at weightwise and then I may

have to buckle down to lose the rest of my weight. Right now I feel

great and I can buy size 14's off the rack so the physical motivation

is not there right now. So now I go off to eat that ice cream cone.

Jane J.

230/178 (-52 #)

Lap BPD/DS

April 26, 2001

Dr. Ren

---diabetes is

> > now under control because he can't have sugar (which he admits he

> > would have if he could) and he is very happy with his surgery of

> > choice.

>

> So strange though.. I got the DS because I wanted to be able to

have

> sugar if I wanted.. but now I don't want it.. I see his logic, but

I

> wonder if my experience is really so unusual? As long as he's

happy &

> healthy, that's all that matters.. but these surgeries are so wierd-

> he got RnY to make sugar a bad experience, but still wants it.. I

got

> a DS so sugar wouldn't hurt me, but I don't want it anymore. Wish

> there was some way to know preop how you'd change, yanno?

> Just Musing-

> Liane

[Guest guest]

Jane -

I'm the same way! I can't eat as many sweets -- but I have something sweet

almost EVERY day -- just much smaller quantity than pre-op. It hasn't

seemed to hurt my weight loss and I'm thinking that if we eat the way we are

going to eat for life -- that perhaps its a good thing. For example, if we

didn't have any sugar at all during the loss phase and then reintroduced

later on, we might have problems with it. Merely my own theory -- but I

like it. Thing is, if I start noticing any re-gain, I know what to cut

down/out first. =)

Congrats on your great loss!

Kris G

Cincinnati, Ohio

5'7 " , 40 years old

8/22 - 283 - BMI 44.3

7/22 - 141 - BMI 22.1

Reached goal set by Dr. of 147 at 9 months/3 wks.

ciao to 142 lbs. & 149.75 inches in 11 months

Open BPD/DS 08/22/00

Bowel obstruction surgery 4/21/01

Dr. Maguire, Kettering OH

HumanaFreedom Plus Plan

iwillbefit@...

http://www.newlifeteams.org

Re: Calling all Dr. Ren Patients!

| Dear Liane,

|

| Consider yourself lucky. I loved sugar pre-op and post-op it is my

| biggest demon. I eat lots of protein but I also crave and eat candy

| and a nightly ice cream cone has become a must. Thank G-d I am not a

| diabetic! I heard DS post-ops say that sugar turned them off. Not

| me, I desire it just the same. The only difference is now I can't

| eat the whole bag and my ice cream cones are smaller. I know I may

| have to limit my sweets sometime if I want to continue losing

| weight. I am 14 weeks post-op and I have lost 52 lbs. I would have

| definately lost more weight by now if the sugar was cut out or

| restricted from my diet. When I stop losing (I am averaging about

| 3.1 lbs. a week) I will see where I am at weightwise and then I may

| have to buckle down to lose the rest of my weight. Right now I feel

| great and I can buy size 14's off the rack so the physical motivation

| is not there right now. So now I go off to eat that ice cream cone.

|

| Jane J.

| 230/178 (-52 #)

| Lap BPD/DS

| April 26, 2001

| Dr. Ren

|

|

| ---diabetes is

| > > now under control because he can't have sugar (which he admits he

| > > would have if he could) and he is very happy with his surgery of

| > > choice.

| >

| > So strange though.. I got the DS because I wanted to be able to

| have

| > sugar if I wanted.. but now I don't want it.. I see his logic, but

| I

| > wonder if my experience is really so unusual? As long as he's

| happy &

| > healthy, that's all that matters.. but these surgeries are so wierd-

|

| > he got RnY to make sugar a bad experience, but still wants it.. I

| got

| > a DS so sugar wouldn't hurt me, but I don't want it anymore. Wish

| > there was some way to know preop how you'd change, yanno?

| > Just Musing-

| > Liane

|

|

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------

|

[Guest guest]

> The one thing you should be aware of though is that Dr. Ren is very

high on

> the Lap-Band procedure now;

It seems interesting to me that Dr. Ren is following the latest stuff

rather than sticking with the DS as her primary procedure. It seems

like she is more interested in being on the bleeding edge then doing

the procedure that is best for the patient (I am speculating here).

Dr. Anthone for example does 100% DS and really feels strongly about

the superiority of the procedure. If he feels that the RNY was

better for a patient then he would refer them to one of the many

excelent surgeons here is Southern California. Dr. Anthone is really

negative on the lap-band - he only recomends it for a patient that is

too ill to have the DS and then only as a temporary measure until the

patient is well enough. He was asked to participate in a trial but

refused.

I tend to think that DS suregons should concentrate on the DS given

they lack of available surgeons that will do it. There are plenty of

good RNY surgeons in every corner of the country. Because there are

so few DS surgeons they are all backed up to one degree or another.

It seems like a waste for a properly trained DS surgeon to spend

her/his time on a simpler procedure.

Hull

[Guest guest]

<< Quite honestly, if I was a young women who wanted to have a baby

or

>

> just have more children, I would probably have had the LapBand just

>

> because I personally would be afraid to have malabsorbtion during

>

> pregnancy (just my opinion, I never spoke with a doctor about

this).

>

> I look at a case like Joe Frost where the poor man is eating more

>

> protein then 2 people and suffers from such low protein numbers

that

>

> he has open sores. I would be afraid of something like that

>

> happening to me while carrying a baby. I also would worry about

>

> being low in the other important nutrients that are needed to help

a

>

> growing fetus. There are DSers that get iron transfusions and have

a

>

> hard time keeping their levels up and I would be afraid that a

>

> pregnancy would not be a good thing if I had these issues.

>

**********************************************************************

> snip> I think of course that one would have to have perfect labs

and no history of

> nutritional/protein deficiencies in order to really seriously

consider a

> pregnancy as a post-op. Or, such deficiencies of course will have

been

> rectified and corrected before conceiving. <snip>

>

> All the best,

>

**********************************************************************

Dear ,

If I never had children (I have a boy and a girl) I would be more

concerned about possible nutritional problems and getting pregnant in

the future. If I had the DS and had complications like Joe Frost has

for an example, that would probably seal my fate against ever getting

pregnant. Since I already have 2 children, if I can have a third in

the future, I consider it a bonus. If I am never able to have

another child, that would be okay too since I can also consider my

family complete. We are in a different situation than someone who

never had a baby and really wants one in the future no matter what.

In that case, the possible nutritional complications that can occur

after a DS would really be devastating if it prevented that woman

from carrying a healthy pregnancy to term. Take care,

Jane J.

[Guest guest]

Dear

Dr. Ren is most interested in offering her obese patients a weight

loss surgery that is right for them and their needs. She does all

the surgeries out there and she does takes out gallbladders too (told

me not to worry if mine had to come out one day, but let's hope not.

It's really not fair to say that a surgeon can only do one type of

surgery. Why hasn't Dr. Anthone learned to do Lap surgery? Doesn't

Dr. Anthone do Panni's? Why doesn't he just send those Panni

patients to a plastic surgeon? Why does he " waste " his time doing

them instead of an extra DS? In my opinion, it's okay for surgeons

to explore different options... Dr. Gagner was written up in the

June 25th edition of Newsweek. He wants to expand and explore

robotic surgery. All types, including heart surgery, not just WLS...

Is this too a waste of talent? I don't think so... Just another

brilliant mind expanding...or a surgeon looking to be cutting edge?

Just pondering...

Jane J.

> It seems interesting to me that Dr. Ren is following the latest

stuff

> rather than sticking with the DS as her primary procedure. It

seems

> like she is more interested in being on the bleeding edge then

doing

> the procedure that is best for the patient (I am speculating here).

>

> Dr. Anthone for example does 100% DS and really feels strongly

about

> the superiority of the procedure. If he feels that the RNY was

> better for a patient then he would refer them to one of the many

> excelent surgeons here is Southern California. Dr. Anthone is

really

> negative on the lap-band - he only recomends it for a patient that

is

> too ill to have the DS and then only as a temporary measure until

the

> patient is well enough. He was asked to participate in a trial but

> refused.

>

> I tend to think that DS suregons should concentrate on the DS given

> they lack of available surgeons that will do it. There are plenty

of

> good RNY surgeons in every corner of the country. Because there

are

> so few DS surgeons they are all backed up to one degree or

another.

> It seems like a waste for a properly trained DS surgeon to spend

> her/his time on a simpler procedure.

>

> Hull

[Guest guest]

IMHO, who are we to say what surgeons SHOULD do? Isn't it to do what is best

for the individual patient? Dr. Ren did me, superbly, lap DS but why

shouldn't she be up on other procedures to best serve patients with

different needs?

Marcia

> Re: Calling all Dr. Ren Patients!

>

>

>

>

> > The one thing you should be aware of though is that Dr. Ren is very

> high on

> > the Lap-Band procedure now;

>

> It seems interesting to me that Dr. Ren is following the latest stuff

> rather than sticking with the DS as her primary procedure. It seems

> like she is more interested in being on the bleeding edge then doing

> the procedure that is best for the patient (I am speculating here).

>

> Dr. Anthone for example does 100% DS and really feels strongly about

> the superiority of the procedure. If he feels that the RNY was

> better for a patient then he would refer them to one of the many

> excelent surgeons here is Southern California. Dr. Anthone is really

> negative on the lap-band - he only recomends it for a patient that is

> too ill to have the DS and then only as a temporary measure until the

> patient is well enough. He was asked to participate in a trial but

> refused.

>

> I tend to think that DS suregons should concentrate on the DS given

> they lack of available surgeons that will do it. There are plenty of

> good RNY surgeons in every corner of the country. Because there are

> so few DS surgeons they are all backed up to one degree or another.

> It seems like a waste for a properly trained DS surgeon to spend

> her/his time on a simpler procedure.

>

> Hull

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

IMHO, who are we to say what surgeons SHOULD do? Isn't it to do what is best

for the individual patient? Dr. Ren did me, superbly, lap DS but why

shouldn't she be up on other procedures to best serve patients with

different needs?

Marcia

> Re: Calling all Dr. Ren Patients!

>

>

>

>

> > The one thing you should be aware of though is that Dr. Ren is very

> high on

> > the Lap-Band procedure now;

>

> It seems interesting to me that Dr. Ren is following the latest stuff

> rather than sticking with the DS as her primary procedure. It seems

> like she is more interested in being on the bleeding edge then doing

> the procedure that is best for the patient (I am speculating here).

>

> Dr. Anthone for example does 100% DS and really feels strongly about

> the superiority of the procedure. If he feels that the RNY was

> better for a patient then he would refer them to one of the many

> excelent surgeons here is Southern California. Dr. Anthone is really

> negative on the lap-band - he only recomends it for a patient that is

> too ill to have the DS and then only as a temporary measure until the

> patient is well enough. He was asked to participate in a trial but

> refused.

>

> I tend to think that DS suregons should concentrate on the DS given

> they lack of available surgeons that will do it. There are plenty of

> good RNY surgeons in every corner of the country. Because there are

> so few DS surgeons they are all backed up to one degree or another.

> It seems like a waste for a properly trained DS surgeon to spend

> her/his time on a simpler procedure.

>

> Hull

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

I would not have Dr . Others may disagree. He has done the

MGB, a very dangerous outdated surgery with horrible risks. I can't

quite recall how many of his laps had to be converted to open. but as

I recall, enough to burn his name in my memory with a big flashing

red neon " NO "

in Seattle

> I contacted Dr. 's office in Winston-Salem, and there's a

> possibility he could do the surgery lap on me

> since my BMI is 45 or 46 (good day/bad day sort of thing :-) ),

but he

> certainly is more comfortable with doing it

> open

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna

I have Cigna now and I may have been the bug that got Darryl off and running.

I have been in contact with him on quite a few occasions and he has always

been polite and helpful, but the problem seems to be Cigna. It is not an

insurance company that gives easily and Darryl has had quite a few cases that

are still open and going through appeal after appeal. Let's put it this

way...he HATES dealing with Cigna and yes, while they do approve a case here

and there for lap DS's....make no mistake....you are going to be in for the

fight of your life with them. Darryl told me the same thing....go to the

insurance company and get pre certed...no such animal can be done and he

knows it....I have opted to try to change my insurance because I have already

dealt with Cigna in a short time and they are hell on wheels. You must be

careful because if you do any tests that are only because of the surgery and

then you are denied, you will be liable for paying for those tests out of

pocket. I have been told by Cigna that they would be happy to pay for any

surgery if you want it done open....maybe yes maybe no to that....but lap is

a different story....It also seem that Cigna out west is more open to

approving wls....I'm not sure why that is but here on the east coast, they

have their heads in the sand....I wish you luck..

Cindy

[Guest guest]

Thanks, .... I appreciate your opinion, and this is the sort of thing

I need to know but

hadn't seen elsewhere. I have been told that he would prefer open to lap

but is getting

ready to resume doing laps. I'd rather be with a surgeon who does laps

because he

prefers them and is experienced with them !!

Bye,

Donna

Donna C. Joostema

(T/L) 444-7949

WES Build Support

email: joostema@...

marym@...

To: duodenalswitch

08/09/2001 cc:

01:26 AM Subject: Re:

Calling all Dr. Ren Patients!

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

I would not have Dr . Others may disagree. He has done the

MGB, a very dangerous outdated surgery with horrible risks. I can't

quite recall how many of his laps had to be converted to open. but as

I recall, enough to burn his name in my memory with a big flashing

red neon " NO "

in Seattle

> I contacted Dr. 's office in Winston-Salem, and there's a

> possibility he could do the surgery lap on me

> since my BMI is 45 or 46 (good day/bad day sort of thing :-) ),

but he

> certainly is more comfortable with doing it

> open

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Thanks ... I'll definitely do the 'aide' thing :-)

Donna C. Joostema

(T/L) 444-7949

WES Build Support

email: joostema@...

ruisha@...

To: duodenalswitch

08/07/2001 cc:

04:25 PM Subject: Re: Re:

Calling all Dr. Ren Patients!

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

In a message dated 8/7/01 1:46:07 PM, duodenalswitch

writes:

<< I've had several

abdominal surgeries to date, which have been without

complications, so if my luck would just stay with me through this (and

God's watchful eye), then the hospital may not

even be a concern. And you're absolutely right about the aftercare; that

will be provided here at home, so again ...

a non-issue :-) >>

Donna: I would look into the private aides even if you have someone with

you. First of all, your husband would most likely want to get some

shuteye/rest and you could have a private aide for the late shift only when

he wouldn't be there. Also, these private aides have nice little tricks up

their sleeves - They know where clean bedding and gowns are located, for

example and stash some away for you. My aide always got breakfast for

me

ahead of time off the cart before she left in the early am. She also

gave me sponge baths and the like.

Even with dh there, it may take a long time to get things like clean gowns,

etc. It's definately worth it, especially for the late evening and/or

first

24 hours.

Wow - that's a long wait for Dr. . I don't know what the waiting time

is nowadays for Dr. Gagner or Dr. Herron - you might want to call and

compare. I know they can get pretty booked up as well.

If you have any questions about Mt. Sinai or my experience, please feel

free

to write me at ruisha@...

all the best,

TEresa

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

six months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5' 9 1/2 " )

now: 228

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

At 8:27 AM -0400 8/9/01, Donna Joostema wrote:

>Thanks, .... I appreciate your opinion, and this is the sort of thing

>I need to know but

>hadn't seen elsewhere. I have been told that he would prefer open to lap

>but is getting

>ready to resume doing laps. I'd rather be with a surgeon who does laps

>because he

>prefers them and is experienced with them !!

>

>Bye,

> Donna

>

Donna,

If you can get to the Washington, D.C., area, Dr. Elariny seems to

prefer laps. He will do anything that the patient requests (e.g.,

VBG, RnY, DS, etc, lap or open), but he seems to be most comfortable

with laps. He's young and apparently did a lot of computer and

arcade gaming in his youth, so is comfortable with the remote

controls.

--Steve

--

Steve Goldstein, age 61

Lap BPD/DS on May 2, 2001

Dr. Elariny, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Virginia

Starting (05/02/01) BMI = 51

BMI on 08/07 = 42

[Guest guest]

Cindy,

I'm glad for you that Darryl was polite and helpful, but in my wildest

dreams, I could never use those two words

to describe him, and when I conjur up mental images, well, let's just say

there are multiple heads, tails, talons, etc. :-)

I had my visit with my PCP today to begin the ball rolling. I am fortunate

in that he stands behind my decision, but

wants me to see two other doctors for their opinion (I have had multiple

adbominal surgeries, and he wants to make

sure the adhesions aren't an issue). I can respect that, and will do this,

knowing that my doctor will help me fight

Cigna. My insurance HAS approved women to go out of state and have the lap

BPD/DS. I figure I'll illicit an attorney

to help from the beginning to hopefully cut through the insurance bs. I

can use all the luck/prayers I can get !! I have

a feeling I'm in for a bumpy ride.

Bye,

Donna

Donna C. Joostema

(T/L) 444-7949

WES Build Support

email: joostema@...

Cinloo59@...

om To: duodenalswitch

cc:

08/09/2001 Subject: Re: Re:

Calling all Dr. Ren Patients!

11:15 AM

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

Hi Donna

I have Cigna now and I may have been the bug that got Darryl off and

running.

I have been in contact with him on quite a few occasions and he has always

been polite and helpful, but the problem seems to be Cigna. It is not an

insurance company that gives easily and Darryl has had quite a few cases

that

are still open and going through appeal after appeal. Let's put it this

way...he HATES dealing with Cigna and yes, while they do approve a case

here

and there for lap DS's....make no mistake....you are going to be in for the

fight of your life with them. Darryl told me the same thing....go to the

insurance company and get pre certed...no such animal can be done and he

knows it....I have opted to try to change my insurance because I have

already

dealt with Cigna in a short time and they are hell on wheels. You must be

careful because if you do any tests that are only because of the surgery

and

then you are denied, you will be liable for paying for those tests out of

pocket. I have been told by Cigna that they would be happy to pay for any

surgery if you want it done open....maybe yes maybe no to that....but lap

is

a different story....It also seem that Cigna out west is more open to

approving wls....I'm not sure why that is but here on the east coast, they

have their heads in the sand....I wish you luck..

Cindy

[Guest guest]

He's young and apparently did a lot of computer and

> arcade gaming in his youth, so is comfortable with the remote

> controls.

>

> --Steve

Steve:

What an analogy! To think some Doogie Howser 'zapping' our

insides with a laser control joystick is hysterical! Thanks for the

funny 'mind picture' that statement brought about.

Colleen - Iowa

312/21?/160

DS 1-15-01

Dr.Buchwald

U of MN

[Guest guest]

At 7:05 PM +0000 8/9/01, wehrco@... wrote:

>

> He's young and apparently did a lot of computer and

>> arcade gaming in his youth, so is comfortable with the remote

>> controls.

>>

>> --Steve

>

>Steve:

>What an analogy! To think some Doogie Howser 'zapping' our

>insides with a laser control joystick is hysterical! Thanks for the

>funny 'mind picture' that statement brought about.

>

The truth can be stranger than mind-zappin' fiction. I kidded you not.

BTW, new generations of war-fighting machines (tanks, ships, etc.)

also have arcade-like joysticks, and the young inductees are probably

more adept at using them than the old-fart senior officers.

--Steve

--