New to this site.

Hello, my name is Jennifer. I was turned on to this site by a co-worker who had wls a few years ago. I live in state center, iowa.  I am really thinking about doing htis but i have no idea where to start. My co-worker said she saw Dr. Glas**** in Cedar Falls. I would appreciate not having to go this far.  Could anyone give me advice on finding a doctor, what do do.....anything you can provide!!! I have PCOS, I was diagnosed September 11, 2001. I will never forget that day for many reasons. I did not have my first period till I was 22. I have pretty much gained weight all my life. I have never been thin. However I now weigh about 330-350, somewhere in there, I am 30 years old I have accepted the fact i may never have children, but i refuse to live my life like this. My health is getting worse and worse. My legs and ankles swell so bad I can barely move. My back hurts if I stand without support for more than 5 minutes. My face is always broke out, I have to shave areas of my body that only men should worry about, my face my chest, you name it on a daily basis.  I have tried everything to lose weight the only thing that worked was pukeing everything I ate. I have counted calories for 4 eyars I very rearely get more than 1900 calories a day. which is more than someone on a diet should get, but my point is I have never been an over eater.  I know it sounds like I am using PCOS as a scapegoat, but it is like moving mountains to lose 5lbs.  Anyway, I need help! I want to live my life, I want to look in a mirror again. I want to ride rollercoasters. I want to make love without wanting to kill myself the whole time because I feel like I am a terrible disappointment to my husband.  Sorry, got a little carried away. at least you know a little about me. Please let me know where to start.  thanks, Jenn

Hi Jenn and welcome. Many of us feel your pain.  I, too, had PCOS, which is actually caused by insulin resistance, which causes wt gain. I had my surgery 3 years ago and have lost 110 pounds with the awful last 10 to go til goal.  Dr. Sundberg did my surgery and he is now in Grinnell.  I think he is wonderful and he's had the surgery himself. As for the type of surgery, I had RNY.  I just 2 weeks ago had 60% of my pancreas removed due to nesidioblastosis, where the islet cells go nuts and make way too much insulin.  I was having multiple severe episodes of hypoglycemia that started a year ago.  I am not, nor never have been diabetic.   My advice to you is to explore all the other types of wt loss surgery along with RNY.  Mayo Clinic is following about 50 people with this that they think it's the tip of the iceburg.  This was not a complication that was told to me either by Dr. Sundberg or in any of the research I did which was condiderable.  Mayo and Dr. Mason in Iowa City feel that RNY is the cause.  I don't think they know why it happens or why it happens only to certain people.  But what I do know is that there are quite of few on the WLS Grads board that are struggling with hypoglycemia.  And most of their doctors don't have a friggin' clue about it.  You can't eat to correct this so don't let anyone tell you that you can. This is a serious complication.  I know one person who has had a seizure because of low blood sugar.  The swings the insulin level makes you really stupid, make you gain wt, and in general feel crappy. While I haven't researched dueodenal switch, I would be sure to check into that as I believe, has fewer malabsorbtion issues.  Do your homework and be sure to ask about post gastric bypass hypoglycemia.  I wish I would have known about it 3 years ago.  I might have gone another route.  But hindsight is 20/20 and this wasn't recognized until recently. Lyn

Jennifer, I am not sure where State Center is, but I live up in the NE corner in a town called Decorah.  I have been contemplating RNY for over 5 years, decided to get the ball rolling, and now I am waiting for a surgery date.  I already have the approval through insurance, so.... I am going through Gundersen-Lutheran which does the RNY procedure both open and Laparoscopic.  I am going for the Laparoscopic approach.  I guess i never looked into the LapBand, but those who have had it seem to be happy, althougth I cannot lend any "weight" to that. Everyone I have met has had Dr. Kotahri out of Gundersen and I have not heard of anyone having the Hypoglycemia issues; however there are people on the forums there that are experiencing it and it is very real.  I have another appointment with my dietician on friday and I plan to ask a lot about that issue and will decide if I really want to go through with this.  My gut tells me I will, but I definately need some kind of reassurance. I agree with the post prior to this one that you need to explore all avenues and approaches to WLS, as RNY may not be the one for you.  I still am not sure if it is going to be the one for me, but I will do some more looking into things before I actually go through with it. I feel all the ways that you do, and most of us waiting or those who have had the surgery do or have also.  My husband keeps telling me it is not how I look but what's inside.  My response to him is...then why haven't you touched me in months.  Why won't I get in the water when we take our boat out, why won't I ride my bike, or take family pictures?  Who wants to look at "this" and be remindedof it everyday.  No one understands but the person actually experiencing those feelings.  They are all very real, and only you can find your way out of those feelings. Good Luck to you and keep us posted.   Katy

Hi Jennifer, I too am new to this site.  I live in the far southeastern corner of the state.  I have chosed Dr. Glass**** for my surgeon.  It is a little over 3 hours drive for me but I feel his expertise is worth the drive.  I am not sure where Center State is.  I am attending a seminar that Dr. Glass**** require next Tuesday.  Hoping to receive a lot of information.  I am definitely going to be asking about the hyperglycemia issue. I am 36.  I started battling my weight when I was 10 years old.  I have tried every diet out there but have finally decided wls is my last option.   I wish you luck with your surch for a surgeon.  Keep me posted.

Dear Jenn, I live in northwest Iowa so can't help in regards to doctors, but I suggest you look not just at the surgeon but also the whole program.  You want one that has nutritional, physical, psychological, and behavioral components.  We are, after all, more than just our weight.  This process requires addressing all aspects of ourselves.  Look for a good post-op support group as well.  Online support is wonderful, but there are some things that just come across better in person.   With your health concerns, be sure to address them early and ask all the questions you have.  The internet has some great resources, but it is limited.  You need to feel comfortable with your own ability to chose which is right for you but also feel comfortable enough with the surgeon to take his/her guidence. Good luck.  This has been a great surgery for me.   Sally

Your closest doctors would be in Grinnell and Des Moines. Grinnell has Doctors Coster, Sundberg and Kermode and the hospital is a Center of Excellence for BCBS insurance. Methodist and Mercy in Des Moines both have bariatric programs. Since my wife and I both went to Grinnell I can tell you a little about it. They are equipt to handle very large patients, If I remember correctly they have even operated on 600 pound patients. The beds are extra large and the nursing staff is well trained. It is a quiet hospital that is easy to get around in and they are willing to accomodate your family members. The surgeons (we both had Coster) have excellant reputations. They do not talk down to you because of obesity. They are very in tune to the mental issues and the ramifications to your life caused by obesity. Ask questions, they will answer. In fact, I took a 2 sheet list of questions and Dr. Coster took the sheet and wrote down the answers so I would remember his answers. Ask questions and do your research. This is a life altering surgery. We both had RNY. Should you choose Lap-Band (not to be confused with laparoscopic RNY) there is Dr. Eibes in Des Moines, not sure if there are others. If you wish to go with the  DS procedure, I believe the nearest doctor is in Omaha. Good luck in your process of determining what type of surgery and which doctor. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected]  Hawkeye Mike

GRINNELL, GRINNELL, GRINNELL.... I not only had my surgery there (lap RNY)  I work there!!!  We do it all, including lap banding. Call the Grinnell Surgeons office and schedule a consoltation... They will take good care of ya!!! Any more questions feel free to ask. Stacey