Dr. John Balfour MD
Aloha,
So far I have not seen anyone who has had surgery with him. But based on info I have been able to find out he has done the process for 25 yrs! I am still soooooooo VERY confused on which one I am more interested in. Once I have in my head a particular one I read or watch something that changes my mind somewhat (im on utube right now watching videos of people's sucess of both lol) Which one did you (or will you) have?
Of course I will keep posted!
Mahalo
p/s/ ive only been here for a year (originally from Ohio) so what does Malama pono mean lol!
So far I have not seen anyone who has had surgery with him. But based on info I have been able to find out he has done the process for 25 yrs! I am still soooooooo VERY confused on which one I am more interested in. Once I have in my head a particular one I read or watch something that changes my mind somewhat (im on utube right now watching videos of people's sucess of both lol) Which one did you (or will you) have?
Of course I will keep posted!
Mahalo
p/s/ ive only been here for a year (originally from Ohio) so what does Malama pono mean lol!
Aloha Dawn...
Just so you know, you can quickly tell which surgery someone is having or has had by looking under their name. Sometimes people put their surgery date and surgeon in their profile and it will appear there for all to see right away.
I had the VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) performed laraproscopically with Dr. Cirangle in San Francisco on May 31, 2008. He comes here to Maui for my follow-ups. You can also see my little ticker in my signature to see how much I have lost so far and how far I still have to go.
There is so much to read about all the procedures. I initially thought that I would have the RnY or even the DS, but after my consultation with Dr. C and reading, reading, and more reading, I decided on having the VSG. I decided I did not want to deal with malabsorbtion issues or have my intestines re-routed at this time. Everyone reaches their own decision based on their needs and limitations. It has to be a decision you're comfortable with as much as your surgeon.
Please feel free to read my profile and read the others, too!
Malama pono basically means "take care."
A hui hou!
****il later!) There's another one for ya!
Just so you know, you can quickly tell which surgery someone is having or has had by looking under their name. Sometimes people put their surgery date and surgeon in their profile and it will appear there for all to see right away.
I had the VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) performed laraproscopically with Dr. Cirangle in San Francisco on May 31, 2008. He comes here to Maui for my follow-ups. You can also see my little ticker in my signature to see how much I have lost so far and how far I still have to go.
There is so much to read about all the procedures. I initially thought that I would have the RnY or even the DS, but after my consultation with Dr. C and reading, reading, and more reading, I decided on having the VSG. I decided I did not want to deal with malabsorbtion issues or have my intestines re-routed at this time. Everyone reaches their own decision based on their needs and limitations. It has to be a decision you're comfortable with as much as your surgeon.
Please feel free to read my profile and read the others, too!
Malama pono basically means "take care."
A hui hou!
****il later!) There's another one for ya!
I havnt read to much on that one yet (brain feels like its gonna explode with the other info lol) I do know several people who has had the gasteric some have had complecations and some not.
Have you had any complications with the VSG? Im not even sure if my insurance will cover that one (I have Aloha Care..which from what ive heard isnt the best plan to have chosen but its the one that was givin to us when we got here)
How quick is the weight loss? I want to lose quickly so I dont have to experiance the constant pain I am in now. Simple tasks like doing my dishes and cleaning my house is painful! It seems like I am ALWAYS in pain. But yet i know its healthier for the slower loss.
Have you had any complications with the VSG? Im not even sure if my insurance will cover that one (I have Aloha Care..which from what ive heard isnt the best plan to have chosen but its the one that was givin to us when we got here)
How quick is the weight loss? I want to lose quickly so I dont have to experiance the constant pain I am in now. Simple tasks like doing my dishes and cleaning my house is painful! It seems like I am ALWAYS in pain. But yet i know its healthier for the slower loss.
Hi Dawn,
I wanted to welcome you to the Hawaii Board.
Research is the key. I must have watched over a thousand you tube videos on all the different surgeries and read tons of profiles here on OH and also read anything I could find. The decision was hard for me also but, I think once you've made up your mind, then you can focus on what you need to do to make the surgery work for you. They all have their pro's and con's. What might be good for me may not be the best for someone else.
Best of Luck in your journey! This board is great. Everyone tries to help where they can.
viki
I wanted to welcome you to the Hawaii Board.
Research is the key. I must have watched over a thousand you tube videos on all the different surgeries and read tons of profiles here on OH and also read anything I could find. The decision was hard for me also but, I think once you've made up your mind, then you can focus on what you need to do to make the surgery work for you. They all have their pro's and con's. What might be good for me may not be the best for someone else.
Best of Luck in your journey! This board is great. Everyone tries to help where they can.
viki
Hi,
Dr. Balfour is really good but like everyone says research is the key. For me I wanted a comprehensive program and in my research I liked Castle Medical Centers program as they set you up with a nutriontist, fitness trainer, psychologist, etc... Dr. Fowler will be performing my lap band on Dec 10. Good luck to you and Welcome to the board I have found so much support and knowledge here. Sara
Hi Dawn,
My name is Jen and I am from Hilo. Welcome! I have Dr. Fowler as my surgeon and will be doing the VSG. My surgery was actually supposed to be yesterday, but due to unforseen cir****tances (you can view my blog to find out why), it has been postponed till around March. But anyway, you're the first person from Hilo, I've actually seen on here! Like everyone here has said, research is the key to finding what is right for YOU. I was like you, I knew what I wanted but then when I read about something else, I kept changing my mind. Now though, after ALL of that, I know that for me, VSG is the way to go. Don't be afraid to ask questions, there is ALWAYS someone that can pretty much answer it for you.
My name is Jen and I am from Hilo. Welcome! I have Dr. Fowler as my surgeon and will be doing the VSG. My surgery was actually supposed to be yesterday, but due to unforseen cir****tances (you can view my blog to find out why), it has been postponed till around March. But anyway, you're the first person from Hilo, I've actually seen on here! Like everyone here has said, research is the key to finding what is right for YOU. I was like you, I knew what I wanted but then when I read about something else, I kept changing my mind. Now though, after ALL of that, I know that for me, VSG is the way to go. Don't be afraid to ask questions, there is ALWAYS someone that can pretty much answer it for you.