Hi! I'm a newbie & my first post...

I'm just starting on my WLS journey. I had my first appointment with Dr. Searles and am now doing the appointment juggle. We live in Valdez so it's not an easy tas****00 miles one way!) I went to the Orientation last Wed (Oct 5) and met a really nice gal named Sherry - "Hi, Sherry if you see this!" My question: Is it true that I need to stay in Anchorage for 10 days after surgery? What do out-of-towners do for lodging? Are there any hotels that offer long-term stay rates? You all seem like such a nice bunch of people - I'm looking forward to posting more and getting to know everyone. Is the chat function very active? I've been a couple times but no one is ever there. Thanks! Melinda

Hey Melinda, I cant answer your question, but I wanted to welcome you to the board, these are some wonderful people....good luck, Staci

Thank you for the welcome, Staci! I see you are from Alabama? Long way from Alaska! I lived in Anniston for a few months during 'basic training' (Army)..yep, I was a *wacky WAC*! Melinda

Hi Staci, Thanks for the welcome...I don't come to the Alaska board very much since it's so inactive. Where is everyone??? I go to the bulletin board run by Dr. Todd's office in Anchorage. Are you post-op? Take care, Melinda

Hi Melinda, Just wanted to welcome you to the board. I don't come over to the Alaska board very often because it doesn't seem to get much activity. I don't know if they have a separate chat for Alaska but I know the main chat is only at certain times...like 5p.m. AK time on Saturdays. I am just getting started on this journey myself. I just started working for the state in Sept. and my insurance takes effect Nov. 1. I have started the 6 month diet with my PCP. I have a few other medical complications that I have to get stablized before I can schedule the WLS. I am still debating whether to have the surgery here or in Seattle (I'd do it in Anchorage but I have family in Seattle). Neither the doc or hospital here are preferred providers with my insurance so it would be an extra 20% out of pocket. But I'm not really comfortable with having my surgeon so far away in case anything goes wrong. Not sure which way I'll go yet on that one. I've heard that PCP's can keep track of the normal progression and mine is willing to do that but I just worry about complications requiring more surgery. I suppose then, in an emergency, the insurance would pay it all. Well, I'm rambling on here. Just great to have a fellow Alaskan on board. Hope all goes well for you on your journey to the losing side. Cheri - Juneau

Hi Cheri, Thanks for replying! I'm glad you have the Seattle option. Flying back & forth to Anchorage is probably more expensive than Seattle! We have to drive 300 miles from Valdez. We have to stay in a hotel when we go so you're fortunate to have family you can stay with. Out-of-town post-ops have to stay in town at least 10-14 days after surgery in case there are problems. I have done all my testing - although I do have to get a needle biopsy for thyroid - doc found a nodule during physical. So, that's all I have left. Have you started your testing? Let me know how it goes with you. Thanks for writing! Melinda