Strongly thinking about surgery

I've posted in the over 50 forum but also want to talk to others from my state about having the surgery. Here is what I wrote in the other forum. I'm from Clinton CT and am in search of a good doctor for the bypass surgery and what kind of surgery I should get. It looks like there are different types. I am 57 yrs old and had lower back surgey 5 yrs ago because of a pinched nerve and herniated disk. At the time of the surgery I was 260 and sur[rised the Dr. said I could have it. I am now 290 and that is after I tried to lose weight.(Which I did lose 40 lbs. but put it back on plus. I used to walk 4 miles a day before my problem started with my leg. Now If I walk 200 yards without my cane that's a lot. If I can hear from some of you about your experiences and so on, it will help me make the decision. I have my 40th class reunion coming up next year and I would like to be able to walk into it with my head up high and not needing assistance of my cane.

Hi Sandra, Welcome to the CT board. The women (& men) here are so helpful and caring. I have learned alot from them. There are different types of surgery, I just had the Laparoscopic RNY gastric bypass a week ago. My surgeon prefers the lap surgery, and will do the open only if necessary - high BMI, gall bladder problems, and I'm sure many more reasons. Many people choose open RNY, or the lap band. No one can tell you what is best. You can research it online, or get a book or two. Find what makes you feel comfortable. As far as choosing a surgeon, there is an area on this website dedicated to surgeons. I think if you click on Go Local, in CT, there may be a link there. Anyway, good luck in your journey whatever you choose! Feel free to ask questions here, it really helps. Take care, Anne

Thanks for getting back to me so soon. I just finished reading your "journey", Anne. Very interesting. I have been sitting here on the computer reading a lot of "journeys" and they all sound so positive. I think I have finally found a place where others understnad where I'm coiming from. I thought I found that at TOPS, but after a while I felt insecure and depressed again. Can anyone give me titles of books and can I get them in the library? Someone told me about a magazine to subscribe to - Weight Loss Surgery. I am looking forward to "talking" with you all. Thanks, Sandy

Hello Sandra, Welcome to CT Mesage Board You will find all of us friendly, support and listening your vent..... I would like to give you advice.... Come to Ct Get Together Party on June 12th at 11:00 am you will find alot of information from us (all of us have different doctors), researching yourself and chose the doctor you feel comfortable, not from all of us because it is so important for you to trust your doctor to perform this surgery.. I hope to meet you at the party if you can make it SMILE ! Kathy

Thank you for the invitation to the get together. I have another engagement the same day but I think this one is more important. I will try to make it so I can meet you all. You all sound very nice and I'm sure I can get a lot of good advice. Thanks, Sandy

Welcome to the board. I had surgery 22 days ago, and think it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I feel great, and am taking much less medication than I did before surgery. Please keep us posted on what you decide to do. Maggie

I've been getting all kinds of good advice from you all. I received an email from CORI response center and was able to see the differences in the surgeries. Now to make up my mind on which I want. I think that has to be discussed with a doctor. I see I have to get all kinds of information together about all the times I've tried to lose. Are they doctors very strict on all that kind of stuff? I haven't really kept records about that. I usually got rid of any traces because they didn't work. Sandy

Hi Sandra, I think the best advice given to you so far is to come to the get-together on June 12th. You will meet so many people at different stages of the process, and you'll leave with a lot of information to get going on your journey. You also might want to find out which doctors are in your insurance network, and work from there. Hope to meet you on the 12th. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -90 lbs.

I am going to try to get to the get together, but I don't see any info on where it's going to be. I hae another function the same day but will try to get out of it. I am contacting my PCP today to tell him what I'm thinking of doing and I've contacted the insurance co. and they told me it has to be a recommendastion by a doctor to be covered. I can't just go to the doctor and request it. Hope to see you at the get together. Sandy