Asking information; Need some advice!

Hi, I was just approved by Dr. Smith, he says I am a perfect canidate for the surgery. Now i just need to take the next hurdle...insurance! What are some things I need to be prepared for in the next couple of months?? Are there any side effect I need to really worry about???

Hi Laura, I didn't use Dr Smith although I hear he is great. With my surgeon we need a nutritionalist consult, a cardio clearance, a pulmonary clearance and sleep study, diet history, proof we attended at least one support group and I also had to have an endoscopy. I had my surgery (lap rny) just 6 days ago. I am doing very well, but I don't know all of what to expect yet myself. That is why I am here on OH and go to my two different support groups. I go to Dr Duncan's at Atlanta Medical Center and a local one here in Henry County. I here that Dr Smigh has a support group and I recently met a really nice man named Jim who is in Warner Robins that talked about a support group you could find on Yahoo. Something like the "Mini Mes". I think support groups have a lot to offer and I use the main board in here often. The side effect from this surgery seems to be weight loss! LOL Good Luck Pat

LOL that sounds like a good side effect Pat!! Glad you are felling so well. It was really nice meeting you the other night!

It was really good to meet you too Candy. Good luck with your venture. Pat

Thank you for the advice. I go to a support group in Macon off of Hartly Bridge Road and they are a wonderful group of people. I look forward to having your side effect!

Glad things are going good for you. Hang in there. The 'side effect' is wonderfu. The other Pat

Hey Laura, I have heard so many wonderful things about Dr. Smith! Are you getting the DS? Jamie S

I would like to get the Roexn-Y but i will aks my doctor what he thinks. Why did you pick the DS instead of Roexn-Y??

Hey Laura, I'll try to make a long story short because I am at work and I have been swamped here latley. I don't have insurance and I was a self pay. I started out looking at the RNY because I did not know of any other type of WLS. I sent off requests for information on the RNY & the COST of having it to several differnt Dr.'s. Any way one of the Dr.'s sent me informaion on the RNY and on the DS... I read the information on both and the DS seemed perfect for me. It also seemed too good to be true. I took my time (about a year) and researched all the WLS's that were currently available. With the DS there is no dumping, ever, I can drink with meals. I don't have to "diet". Needless to say at 360 lbs dieting was not my strong point. I am tired of measuring & counting & the like. I am tired of failure. And I don't feel I should be "punished" with dumping if I have a slice of pie. Also because I was SMO, I did not want to risk paying out my $ for a procedure that would not assist me in getting off ALL my excess wieght & help me keep it off. I know people personally who have had the RNY and gained thier weight back. It is very rare with the DS for that to happen. Also with the DS you are able to eat "normal". I mean really "normal". No where near the amount that I ate prior to WLS but I can eat anything. . It has been 7 months and I have lost 122 lbs. Only 95 more to goal. I am healthier than I have been in years. And I feel wonderful. Take a look at my profile and look at the douodenal switch forum here for more information. Those girls over there know thier stuff. Honestly another thing that scared me to death was the complications that can result from the RNY. Don't get me wrong, the risks are there with any of the WLS procedures, but I don't want a stoma, or a blind stomache...We all need to do what we feel is right for us. All I am saying is it is a life changing decision...I wish you the very best. Jamie S

Hey...You may want to take a peak at this..copy and paste to your browser http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/a,messageboard/action,replies/board_id,5357/cat_id,49 57/topic_id,3255275/