Hi, I'm Mary & i'm new

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site. From what i have seen there are alot of great people here!! and i hope to get to know all of you!! As for me i'm a 33 yr old woman who is currently trying to go back to school and get a degree in human resources. I want a job where i can help people, i'm in the process of applying to Three Rivers College in Norwich Ct. and start in the fall semester. I'm still a little confused about which surgery i'm going to have? (or hope to have) When i first started this journey i was convinced on having the gastric lap band surgery, but after reading so many different stories about the GB i'm more confused then ever!! so if theres anyone out there who could share their success storie about the lap band surgery i would love to hear from you. Well thanks for listening and i hope to make some friends to share in this journey with. Bye for now- P.S. I was wondering if someone could tell me what having an angel is??

Hi Mary! Welcome to the group! There are alot of really great people here! Take advantage and ask any and all questions you might have. Someone will be able to help. I had my surgery 14 days ago and had open RNY. I'm doing really well and my Dr was Dr Giles at New Britain General. I'm a full time student at Northwestern CT Community College. I'm almost done, I should graduate in Spring of 2006. I'm 37 so I'm getting a later start too. I did some research and decided I would go with a Dr that I had confidence in and had a good long record of doing these surgeries. My Dr does on open RNY but my sister is working with Dr Tischler in Hartford Hospital and he does lap. Check out the find a DR section and the review of Drs and hospitals section. I learned alot from those areas. They are reviews by patients that have worked with those Drs. Hope this helps! Take good care! Heather

Welcome to the OH Family Mary, Hi there, welcome to our family here at OH. I know you seemed confused right now about what surgery to have, you should consult with your physician and then talk to the surgeon that you chose to do the surgery. It will depend on your body mass. If your morbidly obese with a high body mass you should be considered for the gastric RNY. If your under they will suggest the lap band. I was 324lbs with a 54 percent body mass index. I had the gastric rny and it been 4mths and 4wks and I have lost 82lbs so far. My doctors are at St Raphaels Hospital in New Haven if you would like to check them out. Yale also has a wonderful group too along with Meriden Hospital's Dr. Aranow too. Answer to your question is, An Angel is a person who volunteers to be your support through all your appointments, seminars, and of course your surgery. You can ask for someone specific or just post on our board to ask someone to volunteer. This person will keep in touch with you all through your journey and help you through everything. Once you go in for your surgery this person will call you, send cards and even come and visit you in the hospital, then let all of us in the OH family how your doing. I have been an angel for one person who is now post op and he is doing fantastic. I am now an angel for a young woman and a man from CT, who both are in the process of having surgery. Its a rewarding feeling to be able to help others like they all helped me during my journey so far. Well if you need anything don't hesitate to contact me at any time. I am always here. Hugs KimC

Mary: Welcome to the CT board!!! I can tell you all you want to know about lap gastric bypass but if you are looking for info on lap band you may get more details on the lap band page. Not that I am telling you won't get help here I just think you would get more info on that page. The CT group is a great group of pre & post op people who are always there to support you and give you a kick in the pants when needed Please be sure to do tons of research when choosing a Dr. and a hospital. Look at what they offer for pre & post op care and talk to other patients and find the right Dr. for you. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Again welcome!!! Chryssie

Hi Mary Welcome to our Ct Message board and you will find us close family who care and support each other. Please join our Summer Gathering Party on July 16th at Harkness State Park in Waterford. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested to get flyer from me. Good luck on your processing Kathy K

Hi Mary!!!! Thanks soooooo much for the ecard!!! You are so sweet and I am so glad we are in this together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bethany

Hello Mary and welcome to the site. I had lap band surgery on 3/3 and although you don't lose the weight as fast as the gastric bypass patients it has been a wonderful journey. I have lost about 43 pounds since I started and 10 of that was before surgery. I personally chose the lap band surgery because it was a "safer surgery" and I have little kids so the safer the better for me personally. I also don't like the thought of altering my organs inside. Always remember that the lap band is reversible if necessary and the gastric bypass isn't. Talk more with your doctor and see what they recommend. I had Dr. Tran at Bridgeport Hospital and he said I was not "big enough" to have gastric bypass anyways because I was on the BMI boarderline. Good luck and feel free to e-mail with any questions you might have. Patty

Welcome Mary! I, too, thought I wanted a lap band, but changed my mind after lots and lots of research. My doctor is awesome...his name is Robert Bell. We have our support group meetings on the first Tues. of every month. Next one is June 7 at 6Pm at Yale in the Max Taffel Room. Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be Dr. Bell's patient to attend. I started my journey about 4 yrs ago, doing some research, looked into lap band and open RNY. I had to have another open surgery, so I was reluctant to have two. Dr. Bell does RNY lap, which is very uninvasive. I highly recommend him and lap surgery. I had my surgery on 7/21/05 and am down -76 lbs! Welcome to the boards, and feel free to ask any questions you may have. An angel is someone who keeps everyone posted on your status when you have surgery. They also can be a mentor so to speak. Good luck on your journey! JA