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Hello, I have come to this forum for information on WLS. I don't have an appointment yet, but am hoping to get one with Dr. Wynn. I have tried and tried and tried, just as many of you here have, to lose weight. The most successful I've been is by using the Weigh****cher's Points Program. I lost 62 pounds on that. Unfortunately I gained back 90 pounds. :( I need something permanent; something that will assist me in losing the weight forever. I can't stand the way I feel anymore. For those of you that have had the fortune of having WLS, could you please let me know the diffent steps it took to get your surgery? Also, how severe was the pain? At this point I am willing to take the pain so that I can once again look the way I feel that I am on the inside. How long did it take to heal enough that you were no longer uncomfortable? I hope that I haven't asked too many questions. Thanks in advance for your answers. Jennifer

Hi Jennifer and welcome to the DE board. We all know exactly what you are going through. I know I lost 50lbs once doing Herbalife and that was the most I had ever lost, I gained all of that back and then some too. Dr Wynn is my surgeon and she is awesome. She will explain everything to a T for you. Another good source of information is the book Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. That book is awesome, it will talk to you in people terms not medical terms. The steps are pretty easy. The first step is your consultation with Dr. Wynn. At that point she will tell you whether or not she thinks you would be a good canidate for the surgery and she will explain both the RNY and the lap band procedures. From there she will tell you what appointments you will need to make. You will need to see a cardiologist for an EKG and stress test, you will most likely have to have an EGD (scope down into your stomach) and a pulmanologist for a sleep study. Once that is all completed you will then need to schedule the Life Skills classes with either St. Francis or Christiana. You will also have to see their MD's and their nutritionist and the phycologist. Depending on your insurance, you might have to be on a supervised diet for 6 months. Once all of that is completed they will schedule your surgery. The surgery isn't that bad. I was in pain while I was at the hospital, but once I came home I never even used the pain medicine they gave me. I was out of work for 4 weeks and felt fine within a week of being home. Each person is different, and I know I was a lucky one, but even if I was in pain I would do this surgery again tomorrow. It has saved my life and I know this is the best thing I ever could have done for myself. Your self esteem and self confidence do get a boost that is for sure. Good luck with your journey and please know that we are all here to help each other. If you get a chance come join one of our support group meetings. They are a lot of fun and you will meet people from all different stages in the surgery. There is one this coming Monday at 7pm at PMRI on RT 52 in Greenville, there is one Dec 14th at Concordia Luthern Church at 7pm on Silverside Rd, there is one Dec 19th at Victory Christian Fellowship Church at 7pm by the New Castle Walmart. If you have any other questions, just ask, we will be more then happy to help you. Good Luck, Deanna

Deanna, Thank you so much for the details of the surgery. I'm not looking forward to that stress test! LOL I will definitely try and make it to one of the meetings. I'm new to the state so it also sounds like a good place to make some friends! How much weight have you lost so far? I'm wondering if you might have a phone number that I can contact Dr. Wynn's office at. I've tried several times and always get the answering machine that says they'll return my phone call but there's been no calls so far. I do appreciate all your help. :) Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, The stress test isn't that bad honestly. I was 324lbs when I had mine and I thought I was going to die, but I made it through it. The meetings are a lot of fun, I know we have one on 12/14 up at Concordia Luthern Church on Silverside Rd and then our Christmas party on 12/16. They are both going to be a lot of fun. You are more then welcome to come to one or both if possible. You will meet lots of people and new friends. We are always there for each other with this surgery. We have to be, because only we know what is going on or what we are going through during this whole process. I have lost 113lbs pounds since Feb 1st when I started my Lifeskills class. I feel wonderful. My goal weight is 165lbs, so I have about 45 more to lose. The only number I have for CHRiAS is 302-892-9900, that is their main number. You need to call them about 10am, that is the best time to get in touch with someone. Good luck and remember we are here for you if you need us. Deanna

Hey Deanna, I've been through one of those stress tests before and you do feel like you are going to die during it. lol I'm not looking forward to it that's for sure. Today I had luck. I was finally able to get through to a real live human at CHRIAS. Woo hoo! I have my first initial appointment to meet with Dr. Wynn on January 19th at 10:15 a.m. I'm very excited about that. As far as the meetings go, I'm not going to be able to come to the ones you listed. Maybe I can go to ones in February if they are held monthly. My friend is having a kidney transplant on the 14th and the 16th my in-laws will be here from Virginia. Will you let me know when the meetings are following the ones on the 14th and the 16th? I appreciate it. I'd love to go and meet some new friends. Deanna, thanks for all of your help and your friendliness. You don't find that too often. Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, here is the schedule for all the support group meetings in Delaware. I am usually at the Monday one at PMRI, and the Thursday one at Concordia and the Tuesday one at Victory. I enjoy all of these support group meetings and I have met a ton of new friends. Hope you can stop by one soon. I have been in your shoes before and people were there for me, so I try to be there for others also. Like I said before only someone who has had this journey knows what it is all about. If you ever have a question just ask. Good Luck. Lastest updated version of the monthly meetings with contacts, phone numbers &/or emails. As usual any changes please email me and I will update, distribute & post. ((HUGS)) Elissa ? PMRI (Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute) When: Varies (Usually the First Monday & Third Saturday of the Month) Affiliated with Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery (CHRIAS) Location: PMRI-Christiana Care, Wilmington, Delaware 19807 Contact: 302.661.3000 ? ST. FRANCIS BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP When: The last Tuesday of the Month at 6 pm - 7:30 pm Affiliated with Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery (CHRIAS) Location: Apex Med Ctr Suite #103 537 Stanton-Christiana Rd. Newark, Delaware Contact: Maryellen Sparks Phone: 302.421.4121 E-mail : [email protected] ? GREAT BEGINNINGS WITH GASTRIC BANDING (Lap Band) When: First Thursday of Every Month at 7:30 pm Location: Concordia Lutheran Church, 3003 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810 Contact: Sharon Hollis Phone: 302.545.4017 E-mail: [email protected] ? DOWNSTATE DOWNSIZERS (Lap Band) When: The fourth Wednesday of the Month at 7 pm Location: Jim ****er's Home, 56 Planters Run Court, Dover, DE 19901 Contact: Carrie Bronersky Phone: 302-659-5597 Email: [email protected] ? HEALTHY BEGINNINGS When: Second Thursday of Every Month at 7 pm Location: Concordia Lutheran Church, 3003 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810 Contact: Rob Siers Email: [email protected] Contact: Elissa Hart Email: [email protected] ? NEW BEGINNINGS When: Second Thursday of Every Month at 7 pm - 9 pm Location: St Peter's Episcopal Church 22 Union Street, Smyrna, DE 19977 Contact: Ginger Barkley Phone: 302.653.5971 E-mail: [email protected] ? HEALTHY JOURNEY When: Third Tuesday of Every Month at 7pm - 8:30 pm Location: Victory Christian Fellowship 100 Wilton Blvd., New Castle, DE 19720 Phone: 302.324.5400 ext. 1211 Contact: Jim Simmons Email: [email protected] ? CHANGING LIVES When: Third Thursday of Every Month at 6:30 pm Location: VA Hospital, Elsmere, Delaware Contact: Jane Walker Phone: 443.907.2574 E-mail: [email protected] ? NEW LIFE WLS When: Third Thursday of the month at 7 - 9 pm Location: Harrington Volunteer Fire Company 20 Clark Street Harrington, Delaware Contact: Joanne Hammond Phone: 302.947.0417 Email: [email protected] ? REHOBOTH WLS When: First Tuesday of the month at 7--9 pm Location: St Mark's United Methodist Church 18 Olive Avenue Rehoboth, Delaware Contact: Jennifer Burton Phone: 302.227.0579 Email: [email protected]

Jennifer, I have had many problems with getting a call back as well. I think Dr Wynn is wonderful but as far as getting calls back and getting the info you need it is nearly impossible. I have left voicemails one week every day and the next week every other day with no call back. I finally called in and talked to the receptionist and told her I would hold until Misty was available. I held for about 10 minutes or so but I finally got to talk to her. I think this really is sad. I would encourage you to be persistent and if no call back then call in and tell them you will hold until you can speak to the person you need. The saddest part is the fact that making the decision to move forward with this process is a very difficult decision. Once the decision is made you are very anxious to move forward and make the changes in your life that are necessary. When you don't get the feedback and information you need it causes a great deal of stress and frustration. I have BCBS and with the current problems CHRIAS is having I "need" to have my surgery by Dec 15th. Since Nov 1st I have not been able to speak to Misty but on 1 occassion and that is because I insisted. Now after weeks of no call backs and no information it does not look like my surgery will happen before Dec 15th. I have all my clearances and everything is a go. I have been told I will get a call but no calls yet. I left a message today in hopes of a call back but I seriously doubt I will get one. Sorry for venting but I am so upset about all of this. I am ready to move forward in my life. CHRIAS doesn't understand what this waiting does. My job needs to know, my family needs to make plans, I am trying to plan for the holidays. I had anticipated not having the holidays with my family in West Virginia but now I don't know. Do I make travel arrangements or do my parents need to come here. WHO KNOWS!!! agggghhhh. All of this to say. When you call leaving voicemails means nothing. It is better to speak to the receptionist and tell them you will hold because you have not gotten a call back. Good luck to you as you move forward and good luck with getting your calls returned. Amanda

Hi Amanda, You may or may not have read in another post of mine that I finally got through to CHRIAS and was able to make my initial appointment for January 19th. I'm very excited. I do appreciate the heads up about not receiving phone calls back from them when you leave messages. I'm sure it's information I will need again in the future. Sorry to hear that you are having so many problems getting a date for your surgery. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for you. I hope I don't have to go through the same thing. Fortunately my husband's work is flexible and I won't have to worry about other family. They all live in Virginia anyway. Keep us posted about your surgery! Jennifer

Well after my venting I now feel absolutely horrible. Misty called today and my surgery is scheduled for thursday the 14th. I have mutliple appts tomorrow and monday to make this possible. God has a way of humbling us when we need it . I will let yall know how things go. Many prayers your way, Amanda

Amanda, Don't feel bad. We all have to vent sometimes. Maybe you were like the woman in the Bible who continuously pleaded her case to the judge (or was it a king?) that he finally gave her what she wanted. God obviously saw your need to have the surgery before the 15th of December. Just my thoughts. Jennifer P.S. Thanks for the prayers. I will send some your way too.