New and looking for info re:Dr Bell

Hi everyone. I am new to the boards although I have been researching regarding the surgery for quite some time now. I was wondering if anyone knows about Dr Bell's standards for having surgery. Currently my BMI is 38-39 and I am about 95lbs over but I have many other medical problems such as gallbladder removed, gerd, back and knee problems just to name a few. Does anyone know if this is something he would consider qualifying factors or is he more for over 100lbs and over 40BMI. He came highly recommended to me from several people and my own PCP recommended him so I would prefer to go with him. Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

Dr. Bell is fabulous! We just had a group meeting with him last night - too bad you weren't there, you could have asked then. However, I'm pretty sure that he will take a BMI above 35 if there are co-morbidities, etc. I suggest that you contact the office and speak to Liz - she'll be able to help you out. Hope this helps some, God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -92 lbs.

Heidi: Dr.Bell is great!!! I am pre-op still. My BMI is just under 40. I have about 100 pounds to loose. I have type 2 diabetes, asthma, high BP etc... I qualified. There is a support group meeting on August 3rd at 6PM. It is at Yale hospital in New Haven. It is in the Max Taffel room. There is a good mix of pre & post op people. If you have any other questions let me know. Chryssie

IT IS GREAT TO GET RECOMMENDATIONS FROM FRIENDS AND YOUR DOCTOR BUT IT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH - SUCH AS HOW MANY WLS HE HAS DONE OVER WHAT LENGTH OF TIME AND HOW MANY COMPLICATIONS THERE HAVE BEEN OR DEATHS - I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT DR. BELL - I AM SURE HE IS A GREAT DR. - JUST BE SURE AND DO ALL YOUR RESEARCH - MY DOCTOR TOLD ME THE MORE EXPERIENCE THE DOCTOR HAS THE BETTER OFF YOU ARE - MY DOCTOR HAS DONE APPROX 450 OVER 4 YEARS AND ONLY DOES LAP UNLESS OPEN IS NECESSARY - DR. CRUM IN NORWALK - SO FOR ME HE WAS GREAT - GOOD LUCK WHICH EVER DR YOU CHOOSE!!

Dr. Bell is an extremely talented laproscopic surgeon. There have been some patients who have had complications, but most get through the procedure with no complications (such as me) He has never had anyone die, and he only performs lap -- has had to do open on only 2 patients because of their body type - but he's performed lap on people with very high BMI's. Dr. Bell will talk freely with you about his background, etc. I'm familiar with Dr. Crum as well (through a friend) and he has a great record as well. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -92 lbs.

Thank you for the input. Actually I did make it to Tuesdays meeting which thankfully I found out about when I went for my nutrional evaluation. I really enjoyed the meeting and afterwards was only able to speak with Doctor Bell for a few but he had to leave before I could ask a 1000 questions. I will be at the August meeting and my husband said he will come with me to that one to help support me, and with him not being as shy as I am I am sure will get all the questions in. Just want to say thanks again, Heidi