I started this journey in April with Dr Aranow in  Middletown. I was originally going for lap-band. I met with the doctor in May and he thought I'd be a good candidate for the band, based on previous weight loss success. We didn't talk much about bypass as he thought I'd do fine with the band. I also told him that bypass is a tough issue for me as my MIL died from complications from it and it would be hard to get my husband on board with it. My husband was supportive of the band because it's outpatient, less-risky, etc, but I would feel very bad giving him anxiety and worry about having the same procedure his mom had. I know my risks are less than hers were but, in my hubby's mind, it's still the same thing.

Dr Aranow is very thorough and sent me for an UGI because I indicated that I had acid reflux. The test came back abnormal and now I am going for an endoscopy and possibly an upper motility study next week. I appreciate that the doctor is being so thorough because I would much rather know now if I'm going to have significant reflux problems rather than have the surgery in be in agony for the rest of my life. When his nurse called me to tell me about the upcoming tests she said that the doctor would likely recommend bypass for someone with my esophageal problems. 

If I have to switch surgery types, I want the sleeve. It seems to have the benefits of the band without the band itself and the maintenance of it and I won't have to worry about dumping. Dr Aranow doesn't do the sleeve. 

So I went back to the drawing board and found Dr Robert Bell in New Haven that does the sleeve. I called his office and they will accept my psych and nutritionist evaluations (although I'm sure there will be plenty of his own hoops to jump through). The woman I spoke with wouldn't even give me an idea of when I could get into see him until she got all my paperwork from Dr Aranow. 

Obviously, if I have Dr Aranow's office send over all my paperwork to Dr Bell, that is essentially stopping the process with him. What I really wanted was a consultation with Dr Bell to find out if the sleeve is the right procedure for me.

This is so frustrating!!! I don't have endless time and money to pursue this. If Dr Aranow did the sleeve I'd be all set. He's closer (distance wise) and I have already met a number of his patients and I feel comfortable with him as a surgeon. 

This is really just a long vent but if anyone has any advice or experiences with Dr Bell that they'd be willing to share, I'd be grateful.

Thanks!

I love Kim but I think we should do this as a "grass roots" group effort. People getting together once a month to share their struggles and gain some support; to identify strategies for success and implement them as a group collective. Not rocket science and no need to pay for the privilege! Now that we have some people interested, is Middletown a good place to meet? Let me know everyone. Maureen

As hard as it is to lose this weight (even with the tool)...and all the hard work you must put into it....NO, I have absolutely no regrets....I only wish I had done this sooner (like years before I had my daughter) because then maybe I would have had some pictures of her young with me in them!

Paula! I thought we talked about this before. I also thought you were going in to see him too. Oh well, just get your butt in there eventually.

*Not meant to be a lecture.

Hi Maureen,

This group was two years ago and it was specifically for regain...those that regained some if not all.

I think she's done one more since, but I didn't want to pay twice.  I lost the $$ from the first one and only went to one.  I'd really rather not pay.

You can write or call her to talk about it.

Paula