considering it and scared to death

do you know who the dr. was?

Hey Lauren, I'm your next door neighbor.(Bristol). I will be going to a support group at Bristol Hospital on 9/5/04. If you want to go with me it might help for your decision making. There are people there from all phases of this journey and they really are willing to share. Let me know! I will be having my surgery on Monday. Sandy

LAUREN, I UNDERSTAND YOUR FAMILY'S FEAR. MINE FELT THE SAME WAY. I ALSO HAVE NO HIGH RISKS, NOT EVEN THE CHOLESTEROL. MY PHYSICIAN TOLD ME AT MY WEIGHT I HAD A BETTER CHANCE OF HAVING A STROKE, HEART PROBLEMS, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OR DIABETES THAN OF ANYTHING HAPPENING TO ME FROM THE SURGERY. THAT SEEM TO CHANGE MY FAMILY'S MIND. I THINK IF YOUR GENERAL PHYSICIAN SUPPORTS YOUR DECISION, IT MAY MAKE IT A LITTLE EASIER ON YOUR FAMILY. ULTIMATELY, YOU HAVE TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR OWN DECISION. THE SUPPORT MEETINGS ARE A GREAT PLACE TO START. BE SURE AND CHECK OUT ALL YOUR OPTIONS WITH DOCTORS. OPEN OR LAP, THEIR EXPERIENCE, FOLLOW UP, ETC. IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR RESEARCH AND NOT TO JUST DEPEND ON OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS. IT IS EASY TO LIKE A DR. BUT, BE SURE THEY ARE GOOD. CHECK OUT THE POST OF OPEN OR LAP? POSTED ON 8/11, I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY IMFORMATIVE. GOOD LUCK!!

Hi Lauren, Welcome to the CT board. We're glad you've decided to join us. Well, as everyone has said, you need to go to some support group meetings. However, if that seems to much right now, you might want to consider joining us for dinner on September 11th in Middletown at 4:00. Its a fun get-together, and you'll get to meet lots of pre-ops and post-ops there. If you are interested in Laproscopic surgery, be sure you have a very talented laproscopic surgeon. I'm amazed at what is done lap -- and how quick the recovery was. I love my surgeon and would recommend him in a heart beat. He's Dr. Bell at Yale, and he is a very, very talented laproscopic surgeon. We're here for you when you need us to help you make your decision. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -98 lbs.

Thank You All for talking to me, I feel so much better now. How do I go about finding out about a seminar. I would like to go to a few of them. Someone said there is a seminar on 9/5, I would like to go to that one, but I would like to go to others too. If you know of an upcoming seminar please let me know about it and I will try to schedule it in? Is it ok if I bring my daughter with me? She doesnt need the surgery but she said she would go with me to support me. Do I talk to my Family doctor about this or do I just go ahead and research doing this on my own without his knowledge? What if he doesnt support it? Also I have been reading and I see there seems to be lots of conditions before doing the surgery. Like you have to do so many meetings, do a psych evaluation, and a bunch of other stuff. From start to finish how long do you think it takes to get scheduled for the surgery. If Im going to have it done I wanted to have it done in February. I would be healed in time for my sons Motocross Season. Also after this surgery, am I ever able to lift heavy objects again. I take his dirt bike on and off the truck all the time. It weighs 150lbs. Also, when you loose the weight, what about your skin, do you have a lot of excess skin. My son wants me to ask you that. Are there any foods you can never have again? I hear you can never have chocolate or soda. Ok I will save the rest of my umpteen questions for the seminar if Im exhausting all of you. thanks so much for calming my fears. After reading everything in here, Im almost ready to go for it. I just need more info as to what steps I take now and the answers to the questions above. Lauren

Hi Lauren, I gave up my favorite soda.. diet pespi and use to drink water, decafficine tea, crystal light, and protien drink. My doctor saidf soda is not good for my new stomach after surgery. Kathy K

If I can throw in my $.02 here... First- welcome it's nice to have you posting and asking for info. I'd strongly encourage you to make an appointment to at least go to a group consult. Then, get to some support groups for different Dr's. I know you said you want lap, because you can;t be out of work for long. Well, I'd strongly advise you to consider ALL your options. I had open, and was back to work in two weeks. If you're young and healthy, I'd expect the same recovery for you. I don't think that's all that long. You should go and sit and listen, gather all the info you can. Ask questions at support groups and bring your husband with you. We ALL know of one or two horror stories. Whatpeople DON'T know are all of the success stories. I've been around here for about 3 years...had surgery going on two years ago. I've had no problem - short or long term, so far. I know other long term post-ops (from the main boards) who are doing very well also. So, I'm not sure what kind of long term issues or complications you're referring to specifically. I'm sure a surgeon could address those concerns. Anyway, just going to support groups and a surgeon's group meeting does not obligate you in any, and it's good to learn all you can. Good luck to you, whatever you decide! Lisa C

Hi Lauren, I completely understand where you are coming from. I thought about surgery on and off for over two tears before I got the courage to go to a seminar. The procedure I want to have is the Lap-band, which is what Carnie Wilson had. It is a lot less invasive, and has a much quicker recovery time. I personally don't plan on telling alot of people, including family, once I have the procedure, just because they have not been supportive when I suugest it to them. I am seeing Dr Valin in New Haven, his record is wonderful! Out of nearly 300 Lap-band procedures, there have been no deaths and only 3 slippages and 3 erosions, in the 3 years he has been doing the procedure (it was approved June 01 in the US). The total deaths last year WORLD WIDE related to the lap band was only 3! I feel it is a very safe option, but does require more self control post op. MY PCP reccomended Dr Valin and I simply called the office, and signed up for the Lap-band seminar. They also discussed the bypass at the seminar, which seems too scary for me, although there are tons of people with great success. As far as Long term success I have a friend who had the bypass about 11 years ago, lost about 200 pounds and has kept it off. She has not had any significant side effects and is still doing great! I hope this helps, but don't be too afraid. Get as much information as you can! This message board is absolutely great too! Carmen

Not scared to death anymore. So how do I find one of these seminars you talk about. I will keep my options open and just listen. I have at least decided to try and go for the surgery. Now I need to take the next step, but not sure what that is. HELP!

I know there are a lot of great surgeons in CT, but I am seeing Dr Valin, so I will give you his #. Just call and they will schedule you for a seminar. It's (203)-867-5508. Good luck, and I'm glad you're not quite so scared. Do what you know is right for you! Carmen