Where are the Angels?

My wife and I have our initial consultation with Dr. Snyder on January 5th and we will be almost done with all our hoop jumping. I am trying find out how to get angels, we live in Colorado Springs and haven't a clue on how the process works. I would really appreciate any help I can get. According to the insurance there aren't any reasons that we won't get approved, so I am just trying to be prepared. Does anyone know what the waiting time is for Dr Snyder once approved? Dan

Well Hello... And a Very Merry Christmas to you both.. Haveing an angel is a very good idea !! are you both trying to have your surgery done about the same week or day ?? My Name is Audrey I had the gastric bypass RNY done in July 03.. I was done by Dr. Brown in Denver.. I have done really well !! I am down now about 185 pounds to date!! Have you gotten your question list that you are wanting to ask the doctor yet ?? I know that so many people wait till the last minute and then after leaveing a day or 2 later wonder why did I not ask this or that..lol If you would like to chat feel free to let me know.. I will gladly share with you a list that I ask.. Hugs

Belated Merry Christmas to you too. Our current plan by Dr. Snyder's suggestion is to Laura(my wife) go first and then I will follow approximately a month later. I am closer to having all my tests done and am hoping to sneak in first though. We have been researching for a while and don't have too many questions left. We have been making a list that has about 6 questions long and is rather morbid. About any deaths related to the surgery and the availability of morbidly obese size equipment like the cat scan. I have found sites that have alot of question detailing history and schooling which I have found the answers to already, because of Dr. Snyders website and profile. I will take anything you are willing to share though. Obviously this is the biggest decision of our lives and I don't want to miss any little thing. Please send anything your experience has proved important. Dan

Always a couple questions that I put on top of my list was.. 1.. Do you staple and stich when preforming the RNY ? To ensure a better hold and more safty from leaks ?? or do you only use one method and why ?? When is your leak test given ?? 2.. Concerning the bypass... How far do you bypass ?? Do you do ALL patience the same ?? Or does each persons case differ from their BMI and research of the Surgery ?? Do you discuss the distance of what by pass we have, and what each distance would means to us ?? 3.. If it is needed do you remove the galbladder during your surgery time to prevent later surgerys ?? 4.. What should I expect connected to me after surgery when I wake ?? Catather ?? Drain tubes ?? 5.. What method of pain meds do you use after surgery ?? 6.. How many deaths have you had when doing the Bypass surgery ?? and Do you have any Idea what was the cause ?? 7.. After haveing the bypass surgery how many patience have acually lost their first 100 pounds in the first year ?? And how many have had problems in reaching their first 100 pound lost ?? and if they are haveing problems what kind of support does your office offer to them ?? 8.. Have you had any problems with strictures in patience, and how often has this happen % wise ?? 9.. After haveing the Bypass, and IF there is a problem and I am readmitted into the hospital, Will there be more charges with my insurance and more out of pocket expences from me to your office ?? 10.. How many visits are covered during the first year after surgery ?? with Nutrations, meal planning, liquids protines calsums, Pouch size, amounts of foods. And the size that we will be able to eat at about 2 years post op.. What is your out look at how things will change for me other then my size and my health ?? Do you recommend seeing out side help with dealing with other issues ?? These are 10 of my most valued questions that I did ask.. Yes I know that they are tuff questions but they were questions that I had .. Knowing that some doctors do do Carbon copy surgerys and some loose well at this but some have had allot of problems. Some fallow closely on their patience protines and some don't.. Some recommend higher calsums and other Vitamins and some don't.. Depending on the bypass that they recieved.. Knowing how far you are bypassed does make a huge differace in how fast you loose weight, but how far you are bypassed also gives you a better chance to maintain after surgery as well gives you a heads up in what vitamins you NEED !! And what your body is going to malasorb and how much sugar you are going to tollerate as well.. these are huge keys after WLS.. Some doctors only bypass about 75, and That just isn't quiet enough for many people.. I was Bypassed at 135 and have lost real well, however some people that I know have done good at 100, but after being post op for a year they are now struggleing to loose another pound !! So Do your research !!! Research is knowlage !! Remember you are the only one that will either struggle or have a easy time after surgery.. I wish you lots of luck in your journey.. And if you ever want to chat feel free to contact me.. I will keep you both in my prayers.. Hugs

Great, I appreciate the list. We had a couple of them, but you had some questions that I wouldn't ever have thought of. Thanks again and as we get closer to this event, I may take you up on your kindness with more questions.