New and learning

I am new to this web site. I just made the first step of looking for help but very confused. Scared and don't know which dr to use but guess first to need one on my health insurance. I know Dr. Robert Bell is on it but don't know anything about him. I am hoping will will get accepted, God only knows I am way over the weight to get accepted but a diet history is not that good and worried that I maybe denied about that but I need help and if I have to start a history now, I fear I will give up. I am 43, 5'3" and 340lbs I am having foot surgery in a couple of weeks and hope to have plenty of time to read up. Any help would be appreciated.

My surgical group was Fairfield County Bariatrics. http://fairfieldcountybariatrics.com/ Top notch in my book. They are a TEAM of surgeons. They also do surgery out of St. Vincent's Hospital. http://www.stvincents.org/healthservices/bariatrics/ read "Robert's" story... Gastric Bypass 2 yrs out and lost 150 lbs. Here is the link to Bob's profile here on OH: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=M1058413911 Another is Bette Blackwell on OH... Lapbander... lost 213 lbs and coming up on 2 yrs. Here it the link to her profile here on OH: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=B1061853329 I live in Milford and traveled to Norwalk for my surgery. I did not choose my surgeon for convenience of location... rather... expertise and the comprehensive program they offer post op. And that they are a TEAM. They are my recommendation. Hope this helps. Towanda

Welcome! I wish you the best of luck as you begin this process. We're glad to have you haer and happy to help in any way. I'd strongly recommend that you start by speking to your insurance company and reading a copy of your benefits book. See what it specifically says about coverage for surgery related to obesity. Then go from there. I also highly recommend that you make appointments with and check out at least THREE different docotrs before you make a decision based on what is best for you. We all choose our surgeons for different reasons. Mine was Dr. Jonathan Aranow out of Middlesex ospital in Middletown. I also did not choose anywhere near the most convenient doctor. In fact, he was an hour away from me and had one of the longest waiting lists! But, he was who I judged to be the best for me. So, please do look at several doctors, after finding out what/who your plan covers. Again, best of luck to you!! Lisa C

Toni- What you will find is that most surgeons probably accept your insurance . . . the big question is if the insurance company will continue to cover the procedure after the first of the year (many of imposing exclusions for RNY going into 2006). For me, and like everyone else, I think the world of my surgeon (Dr. Ralph Crum) and the care I received at my hospital (Norwalk Hospital which has an amazing commitment to obese patients). What prompted my decision to use Dr. Crum were the following: ****xtensive experience (he's performed over 500 RNY's), (2) an absolute vow to perform the procedure laparoscopically regardless of BMI or scar tissue (I started with a BMI over 61), (3) true dedication to aftercare (Dr. Crum particpates in his early post-op support group and helps with Norwalk Hospital's general post-op support group that are peer lead) and (4) his years of experience as a trauma surgeon (which made me feel comfortable that he would be able to handle any emergency that might arise while working on a patient as big as I was). Having looked at other surgeons' programs, I liked Dr. Crum's methods, particularly because he did not impose a pre-operative weight loss requirement and was willing to take the higher risk patients. What impressed with Norwalk Hospital was that they send a nursing representative to the new patient information and support group meetings (held the first Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m.). Their nursing supervisor for the surgical floor where gastric bypass patients are taken regularly attends our meetings and works very closely with her nursing staff to maintain their knowledge about the procedure and our after-care needs. And, the Norwalk Hospital meetings are free, open to the public and don't require pre-registration. To get to know the various programs that are available will take attending the various meetings that are held to get to know the surgeons and to understand their dedication to aftercare. Because surgical experience is key to operative risk reduction, try to find an experienced surgeon. And because long-term success is typically correlated to active participation in aftercare, try to find a surgeon who has a developed program of support groups and good follow-up.

You have located the right web site... It's a good thing that you are looking at this surgery, given the weight and height factors. Do you have co-morbidity factors as well?? There are many ways in which you can document your weight attempts, as if insurance companies can't see this for themselves. Get the documentation done, if you search, you may find that during your 43 years that you did see some Drs. regarding weight. If not start the process and get it going. The surgery gave me a whole new outlook on life, but be mindful, that after surgery is reconstructive surgery and insurance rarely pays for that, and it is essential if you are going to have this surgery and look good. The after surgery cost up to 25,000, keep that in mind, as the after effects can be worse to some as the benefits of the surgery. I now have pain from the skin that I am lugging, I can ealy go down 2 sizes if it were removed. I have to come up with 12 thousand cash for the tummy tuck alone, never mind the arms , neck, legs and breasts. Be concerned about this as well. Most aren't as they think that the weight is the answer, At 43 you will have a lot of saggin skin and it is not pretty, make sure tha you have a financial back up while you are considering this. Look to the web and this forum to answer any questions. I am glad that I made this decision, wish I had done so when I was in my 40's, but it was well worth it. Good Luck and let us know how you do Jannie