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03-20-2008, 12:11 AM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Guru In Training
Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Royalton, Ohio
Posts: 207
Weight Statistics June 4, 2008 Surgery Date:
5' 1"
Height:
214 lb Start Weight:
198 lb Current Weight:
125 lb Goal Weight:
16 lb Weight Loss:
73 lb Lb Left to Lose:
7.47663551402 % % Lost:
Body Mass Index40.4305294276 BMI Start:
37.4076861059 BMI Current:
23.6159634507 BMI Goal:
Weight Loss MethodPhysician Prescribed Diet/Exercise
|  A new "research" procedure...
It's been a while since I've come around here. After my third denial for gastric bypass my self-esteem just sank further than I ever thought was imagineable...
Out of the blue today, however, I received a voicemail from a nurse in the research department at the Cleveland Clinic. Apparently they're starting a clinical trial for a new type of gastric bypass surgery where they suture the stomach as opposed to actually cutting it and re-routing the intestine. The way she described it it sounds like it would function like the lap band but without the ability to make it larger & smaller (which, quite frankly, creeped me out about the lap band in the first place). I guess the big "issue" that they want to look at is how the sutures hold because if they "pop"...my old stomach will be back to it's full size. They say this is an overnight stay as well...as it's not quite as involved, it sounds like.
They're first looking at anyone denied for gastric bypass so I was a prime candidate. She's mailing me stuff in the mail today. I trust the Cleveland Clinic and I trust my surgeon, Dr. Schauer. If you google his name he's the head of the American Association for Bariatric Surgeons (or some fancy title... :P). He's not the first guy to have tried this...he just is interested in bringing it to the clinic.
Suggestions and advice please! 
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03-20-2008, 12:18 AM
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#2 (permalink)
| | WLS Mentor
Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand
Posts: 1,292
Weight Statistics 10/27/07 Start Date:
11 March 08 Surgery Date:
5' 3"
Height:
239 lb Start Weight:
134 lb Current Weight:
144 lb Goal Weight:
105 lb Weight Loss:
-10 lb Lb Left to Lose:
43.9330543933 % % Lost:
12/25/08 Goal Date:
Body Mass Index42.3323255228 BMI Start:
23.7344419249 BMI Current:
25.5056689342 BMI Goal:
Weight Loss MethodRoux en Y Gastric Bypass
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Well, I say as long as you are fully informed, and feel ok about it, go for it. I dont think 24hrs is long enough though (just my opinion) for after this kind of surgery, perhaps 2 days?
Just keep informed all the way.
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03-20-2008, 02:26 AM
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#3 (permalink)
| | WLS Master Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: fort wayne ,ind.
Posts: 680
Weight Statistics 9-25-07 Start Date:
9-25-07 Surgery Date:
5' 6"
Height:
344 lb Start Weight:
210 lb Current Weight:
160 lb Goal Weight:
134 lb Weight Loss:
50 lb Lb Left to Lose:
38.9534883721 % % Lost:
1-09 Goal Date:
Body Mass Index55.5169880624 BMI Start:
33.891184573 BMI Current:
25.8218549128 BMI Goal:
Weight Loss MethodRoux en Y Gastric Bypass
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I wish you luck! I'm glad you thinking positive,don't give up on yourself.Losing is such a good thing and it makes you feel so much better. So hang in there and keep us up to date....
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03-20-2008, 06:08 AM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Seasoned Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 2,573
Weight Statistics 12-19-07 Start Date:
1-29-08 Surgery Date:
5' 3"
Height:
286 lb Start Weight:
165 lb Current Weight:
150 lb Goal Weight:
121 lb Weight Loss:
15 lb Lb Left to Lose:
42.3076923077 % % Lost:
eventually Goal Date:
Body Mass Index50.6570924666 BMI Start:
29.2252456538 BMI Current:
26.5684051398 BMI Goal:
Weight Loss MethodRoux en Y Gastric Bypass
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It good to know there are options and if you feel well informed and trust your doctor and the care/support you will get, then it's something to look into.Good luck and let us know what you find out!
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03-20-2008, 07:29 AM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Seasoned Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 2,835
Weight Statistics 4/30/2007 Start Date:
9/5/07 Surgery Date:
5' 4"
Height:
233 lb Start Weight:
127 lb Current Weight:
135 lb Goal Weight:
106 lb Weight Loss:
-8 lb Lb Left to Lose:
45.4935622318 % % Lost:
Nov 2008 Goal Date:
Body Mass Index39.9899902344 BMI Start:
21.7971191406 BMI Current:
23.1701660156 BMI Goal:
Weight Loss MethodRoux en Y Gastric Bypass
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Wow, sounds like a lucky break. I doubt your insurance is going to pay for something like this, so is the clinic doing it for free? Best of luck to you.
__________________
Highest 233, Lowest 122, Current 127
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03-20-2008, 07:34 AM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Guru In Training
Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Royalton, Ohio
Posts: 207
Weight Statistics June 4, 2008 Surgery Date:
5' 1"
Height:
214 lb Start Weight:
198 lb Current Weight:
125 lb Goal Weight:
16 lb Weight Loss:
73 lb Lb Left to Lose:
7.47663551402 % % Lost:
Body Mass Index40.4305294276 BMI Start:
37.4076861059 BMI Current:
23.6159634507 BMI Goal:
Weight Loss MethodPhysician Prescribed Diet/Exercise
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My insurance wouldn't even get involved. Provided I agree to it and pass the medical clearance (which I've gone through three times already...they're positive I'd pass), I'm in. Since it's a clinical trial, the company sponsoring the trial would cover all expenses.
I'm eager to receive the info in the mail she's sending me about the new procedure...
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03-20-2008, 08:18 AM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Super Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 23,801
5' 5"
Height:
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Ask as many Qs as you can and be clear as to how it works.
Since this is a research study, confirm if this is an absolutely new procedure, or an improvement on existing procedures. If it's an improvement on existing procedures, then make sure you research the pros and cons of the original procedure as well.
Make sure how long you will be followed by the Clinic post op.
Also, obviously, the immediate surgery costs will be covered by whoever's sponsoring the research, but make sure the extent of the cost they cover and for how long. One thing you need to make clear is who is going to pay the expenses that may come from conditions that may be remotely related to the procedure, but can not be quite termed as a complication of the procedure. You may be caught in a limbo, if the Clinic refuses to recognise an issue as the result of surgery, and therefore are not responsible, while your medical insurance may refuse to cover you for the issue because you had surgery that the insurance didn't cover.
Good luck. I hope it works well for you.
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03-20-2008, 05:23 PM
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#8 (permalink)
| | Guru In Training
Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Royalton, Ohio
Posts: 207
Weight Statistics June 4, 2008 Surgery Date:
5' 1"
Height:
214 lb Start Weight:
198 lb Current Weight:
125 lb Goal Weight:
16 lb Weight Loss:
73 lb Lb Left to Lose:
7.47663551402 % % Lost:
Body Mass Index40.4305294276 BMI Start:
37.4076861059 BMI Current:
23.6159634507 BMI Goal:
Weight Loss MethodPhysician Prescribed Diet/Exercise
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After talking with a few coworkers today who had a ton of questions, I'd like to throw this out...
If you were in my shoes, what questions would YOU ask? I want to go in armed with all the questions so start throwing 'em out on here! Thank you!
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03-20-2008, 08:34 PM
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#9 (permalink)
| | WLS Mentor
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,427
Weight Statistics On and off my whole life...Highest weight was 326 Start Date:
November 20, 2007 Surgery Date:
5' 9"
Height:
287 lb Start Weight:
210 lb Current Weight:
170 lb Goal Weight:
77 lb Weight Loss:
40 lb Lb Left to Lose:
26.8292682927 % % Lost:
August 2009 Goal Date:
Body Mass Index42.3778617937 BMI Start:
31.0081915564 BMI Current:
25.1018693552 BMI Goal:
Weight Loss MethodRoux en Y Gastric Bypass
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I would ask some of the questions that Doc had mentioned, like how long will they follow you and cover the costs and if any complications will they cover and for how long. I would make sure that all is covered and that there is no hidden costs even further down the road. I wish you luck in this journey, do reasearch into the procedure, keep us posted.
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03-21-2008, 05:34 AM
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#10 (permalink)
| | WLS Mentor
Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand
Posts: 1,292
Weight Statistics 10/27/07 Start Date:
11 March 08 Surgery Date:
5' 3"
Height:
239 lb Start Weight:
134 lb Current Weight:
144 lb Goal Weight:
105 lb Weight Loss:
-10 lb Lb Left to Lose:
43.9330543933 % % Lost:
12/25/08 Goal Date:
Body Mass Index42.3323255228 BMI Start:
23.7344419249 BMI Current:
25.5056689342 BMI Goal:
Weight Loss MethodRoux en Y Gastric Bypass
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Yep, go with what Doc has said, and any YOU are unsure about. Wow, I really, really hope this works out for you! You must be so excited!
Keep us posted!
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