Hello to all of you posto...

Hello to all of you postops and preops in Florida!! I hope you don't mind me "popping in" from Virginia---but I wanted to share some great news with all of you--especially for the preops in the Pensacola area. My WLS surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Lord is relocating to your area in June--and will be doing WLS surgery at Sacred Heart Hospital. If you are in the process of making the WLS decision or looking for an excellent surgeon--I strongly suggest that you read what his patients in our area say about their experience with him and if interested---call Jan Carlo (his Case Manager--who also used to be ours!) and schedule a consult to speak with him. I had my consult with Dr Lord at 467 pounds (BMI 68). I was almost totally immobile and had pretty much totally isolated myself from friends and family due to the embarrassment of my enormous body. Dr Lord was very compassionate--but also very up front about the health concerns of being super morbidly obese. He also said he would be able to perform the surgery Lap IF I followed his instructions. (NO other Doc in this area would even have attempted Lap surgery on me) The main thing WAS I left that consultation with was the blessed gift of HOPE! My surgery was done on 2/3/04 (Lap RNY). I have since lost 278 pounds (BMI now 28) I put my trust in him and followed his directions to the letter---and ever since have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. I have not had even one complication--no dumping---no vomiting etc. I am now embarking on my plastic surgery journey. (June 2) The isolation ceased almost immediately after surgery. The life I retreated from I now embrace with all my energy. I ended an unhealthy relationship and am content knowing that I can now care for myself and tend to my own affairs. I am driving home (Indiana) very soon---I have not been home in 9 years. The list of "firsts" is a mile long. I missed out on so much for so many years. Now, at age 52 I am making up for lost time. I realize that I am miles and miles away from all of you---but I know there must be those in your area that are suffering the way I was----and my message is especially for them------no situation is too hopeless---no dreams and goals that cannot be reached-----it just so happened that for me---Dr Lord showed me that there was light at the end of my long, dark, lonely tunnel. VIRGINIA'S LOSS IS FLORIDA'S GAIN !! Sorry this is so long---if anyone has any questions about my WLS and recovery since--please email me. God Bless all of you on your WLS journey and may an angel be on your shoulder Cindy

Cindy, thanks for posting this information. We here in NW Florida don''t have a lot of choices. It is great to read some good info about the new doc coming in town. Sorry for your loss.. Dr. Lord performing LAP will be very welcome here. As far as I know there is only one doctor in the local area that does it and he has only been doing it in a small hospital for about 3 years, not a lot of experience yet. Dr. Nye, the resident expert RNY doc, is the best and I am sure he will welcome some help! Thanks again! Patty

Patty---I know word will spread of his expertise very soon after he gets to Florida and begins his practice. I'm so happy for those of you in Florida that the Lap procedure will be available for more of those that are wanting this life saving surgery. I wanted to share my experience as I consider all of us, no matter where you are, to be brothers and sisters in recovery. My best wishes to you and all the preops. Angel on your shoulder Cindy

Cindy, Thanks for the update . Your success is awesome. I know you must be loving life. God Bless AnnaMArie

Hi AnnaMarie---Yessss! Life if so wonderous---each day I get out of bed I never know what wonderful things await me. I know many people do have some struggles either in getting the surgery or a few complications after surgery. I have truly been blessed to have found this surgery, Dr Lord and his program and to have been able to complete the process with no complications along the way. Even though I am 16 months postop and no longer have alot of follow up appoinements---it was always a comfort to me knowing he was juist a phone call away. But, it is time for him to move on. I am so happy for him and his family as he begins a new practice and also for all of you that will benefit from his move. God Bless Cindy

Thanks so much for stopping by, Cindy! It is good to hear more first hand knowledge of Dr Lord. I have been researching Dr. Lord ever since I heard he was coming to Pensacola in the summer and......ssshhh, don't tell anybody but I have spent a lot of time lurking over on the Virginia board reading all the messages too. Everything I hear about him on the boards and from different sources is very positive. We are supposed to go to his seminar next week. I hope that I can meet him then. Dr. Nye in Pensacola is good from what I hear, but he doesn't do the lap RNY, and I am wanting to explore that option with someone with a lot of experience. Then maybe I can make up my mind. Good luck and God bless you as you begin your plastic surgery. Betti

Betti! I am SO excited for you. Good for you to be doing so much research in advance!! (I did the same thing) I remember as if it was yesterday when I first heard him speak. You will learn of his extensive training and of the large numbers of surgeries he has performed. I must add that he does not "sugar coat" anything. He is VERY forthright in his presentation and in dealing with his patients. Some call it "rough edges"---Me?? I call it HONESTY! It's exactly what I needed to hear ---sitting there in a chair different from all the others--because my 467 pound rear end would not fit in a regular one. Glad to say I no longer have those issues. Also---Jan Carlo his Case Manager (she followed him to Florida) is also absolutely Incredible. She is also postop and has had phenomenal succes with her WLS and also has had some plastic surgery work postop. I believe she will be running the same comprehensive program that was run here in our area. Please, if you think of it, tell them I said HELLO--and that they are truly missed!!!!!! Also--please feel welcome to come "visit" our Virginia board anytime. No need to be one that only "lurks"--jump right on in and ask anything that is on your mind. We have a great group here in Virginia and also VERY active in getting together and sharing our stories. I sincerely hope that I will hear from you after your introduction to Dr Lord and Jan Carlo---and their wonderful WLS program. Best of luck on your WLS journey!!! God Bless! Cindy