A bunch of crabs at support group

I would like to say to all the supporters of this forum. You guys are great. I went to my first seminar last night. I met with Dr. Bass. He was really nice and imformative. They were having two support groups. RNY and Lap banding. The Rny's were down playing the ones who wanted the Lap Banding. They were saying that the lap banding would not last. The weight will come back, because after awhile you will gain back the weight and start eating again. I left to attend the lap group. (because that's the surgery I fell that's better for me being 26) The lap banding people did'nt seem as happy as the RNY people. They were "somewhat" supportive, but did'nt seem like they wanted to answer to many questions. They didn't seem to be excited at all. Most of the people there work in the hospital. Thank you to all who take the time and answer questions for us Curious George's who only dream of being thin. Some people seem to forget that they once were part of the fat people club before WLS!

I'm sorry to hear that the support groups didn't quite live up to what you wanted. Don't give up on them. Statistics show that those who attend support goups have a higher success rate than those that don't. Besides, if your groups are anything like our Tallahassee group the folks that attend vary from month to month. A few of us try to go every month, but life does get in the way sometimes, and others come as they can fit it into their schedules. AS for one group down-playing the other, I guess that is just human nature to want to reinforce your decision as being the "best". Our local support group is open to anyone, any procedure, any doc. I like it b/c it allows me to hear about other surgeries and how those folks are doing. We don't have many lapbanders yet, but there will be more b/c a local doc is now doing lapband surgery. Good luck on your journey! Vickie J.

I notice you live in South Florida. Let me recommend a third alternative that is far superior to both the RNY and the lap band. I had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy nine days ago with Dr. Rosenthal at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the choice. I did a lot of research. The Bariatric Center at CC is second to none. I urge you very strongly to check it out. There is a Vertical Sleeve message board here at Obesity help. There is a gastroenterologist *****cently had a VSG with Dr. Rosenthal who is a frequent contributor as well as many nurses. It is telling that many medical professional choose the VSG for their own weight loss surgeries. There are far fewer complications than with the other surgeries. My surgery was almost pain free. I was out of the hospital in 48 hours. I had the surgery on a Thursday morning and was back at work the following Tuesday. Please visit our message board at: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/posts.html If you must do one of the other procedures, Dr. Rosenthal does them both also and is the best bariatric surgeon in South Florida.

I tried really hard to get Dr. Rosenthal "Ron". Every time I call, they say that they are no longer taking new paitents at this present time. They are in the process of having their medicaid contract renewed . I will consider VSG. I have'nt heard to much about it. Dr. Bass said, "he'd performed one last week on a 600 pound man". He also told us he only recommended this surgery for people who are 400lbs. or more. Thanks, Does anyone know of a surgeon who is currently accepting Staywell in South Florida? Iv'e called more doctors, but cannot find many surgeons accepting medicaid.

Drs Gomez and Jacobs also perform the sleeve, they are out of Mercy Hospital in Miami. I know it's a little far from Hallandale but they are VERY good doctors. I highly recommend them and they are performing a lot of the gastric sleeve operations in the last few months. Dr. Gomez performed my RNY in October and he is an AWESOME surgeon! There is also another bariatric surgeon out of Mercy Hospital, Dr. Fleitas and I do believe he accepts Medicaid. He is also a very good surgeon. When I had my surgery I met a lady who drove from West Palm Beach to have Dr Fleitas perform her RNY! Mercy Hospital also has a bariatric program, the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Good luck to you. Please email me if I can be of any further help! Take care, Carol

How is a VSG done.? Im just being nosy Thanks