Newbie Qualifying for Surgery - Retired Military Family Member

On Tuesday morning I will see the surgeon who will determine if I qualify for WLS, and I'm a touch anxious about the whole thing. (I will be seeing Dr. Arthur Chasen at Eisenhower Army Medical Center. If anyone has any experience with him, I'd love to hear about it.) While I've been looking into the surgery since January after a neurologist suggested it, I would appreciate hearing any last minute pointers, suggestions, things not to do and words of comfort anyone might have. (I've found that not all military doctors are kind to people with weight problems; many have the attitude that we should "just do it"; i.e. lose weight, but if it were that easy, I would already be slim and trim.) Thanks, Pat

Hi Pat, I want to wish you the best on your WLS, I know that I have no regrets! It has really changed my life. I have gotten my life back and I really feel so much better. I'm able to do a lot of different things that I really love doing, and that is great. So again I really wish you the best! Hug's Jeannie

Hi, I'd like to introduce myself and let you know I'm here in Evans, right down the road from you... So lets be friends... I'll share as much as I can, and I'd like to invite you to the support groups I attend. Of course the first one is the one sponsored by Amy Williams, who is also employed on this website... We meet at St Josephs hosp, well next door to it in the Summerville building room 120 on the first Wed of every month.. It's awesome... I also go to one on the third Monday of each month off of Columbia Road, my Nutritionist/Psych runs it, she"s a NP, and her name is Ann Hunt, it's really good too. those are at 5:30 in the Univ Hosp Building at the corner of Flowing wells and Col Rd. Our next one is December 18.. YOu can call me if you'd like or PM me or whatever.. Looking forward to hearing from you.... Sincerely, Judy B

Pat! Welcome! I'm here in Augusta and as Judy mentioned there are several support meetings in this area. I would encourage you to come out and meet us. Our next meeting is on Jan 3rd at the Summerville location for details you can visit www.augustaobesityhelp.com There is not much listed on the site for Dr. Chasen, this is what I did find: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Chasen+hlj.html I know there are others who have used him, I believe that they still have a support groupt that meets on the base, I think the 2nd Tuesday of the month. I hope you might join us sometime at one of the support meetings. It's nice to know you are not alone in all this. Good luck to you Amy