Hell All, newbie needs support

Hello everyone! My name is Jami and although I've been checking out the obesity help site for awhile now, I've just found the Iowa message board. I have the same story as most everyone else here. Fat all my life, dieted lost some gained back more. So I've pretty much dieted myself right up to 265 pounds which is quite a lot when you're only five foot one!! I've been researching the RNY and feel I am ready to go for it, although of course I am still scared out of my wits! At the moment I am waiting for my husbands insurance coverage to start, which is supposed to be July 1st. I'm waiting for paperwork so I know exactly if I have a chance to be covered for surgery or not. I believe we'll have BC/BS which I've heard is very good at approving the surgery(I hope so)! As far as doctors go, I've been leaning toward Dr. Stoner in Davenport although I haven't actually had a consult yet. I know someone two people who had surgery with him and they have only great things to say. The only problem is I live in North Iowa and he is quite a distance from me. I'm looking to meet others who are starting this journey as well as you lucky ones who've made it to "the other side". Any info you have on doctors, hospitals, or even books to read on the surgery would be very much appreciated. Thanks!!!!

I'm not sure where Grinnell is located..but I've heard WONDERFUL things about Dr. Coster in Grinnell...he also did my father's acid reflux surgery....(you think id remember where it was at! duh!) Also, Dr. VerSteeg in Fort Dodge is very very good too..he is doing my surgery..and it would possibly be closer for you too. I have a WONDERFUL document in word format that tells all about different suggestions about post op etc. for the RNY surgery... I can email it to you if you'd like..it was very informative. Here's wishing you the BEST of luck... ~~~Dawn from Duncombe, Iowa~~~~

Hi Jami! Welcome to the Iowa Message Board! I live in Cedar Rapids and will be having Dr Robert Keating do my RNY surgery in August. Cedar Rapids might not be quite as far as Davenport. Your personal physician would be your best resource for WLS doctors; he/she has to make the referral and they would likely pick someone they are familiar with. I have found answers to all my questions and then some on WLS. It is a very comprehensive information site the best of it come from those who have actually been through it. Read all you can about it- it will help you appear well-informed to your doctor which should also influence the type of letter he writes to your insurance company. Be prepared by writing down a complete family history and personal medical history as well as a list of all the diets you can remember trying, approximate dates, and losses. Will be looking forward to reading your posts! Michelle

Hi Jamie, my name is Janine and I live in Cedar Rapids. I went to the Bariatric Treatment Center in Belvidere, IL (by Rockford) It is a 3 hours drive from CR, but well worth the trip. If you aren't restricted by staying within a network I would definitely recommend them. My surgeon (Dr. Boe) performed over 450 RNY surgeries last year and has done more than 1000 of them since he began. The BTC has a great post-surgical program as well. Many doctors give patients a diet and expect them to read it a follow it. The BTC has a structured eating plan for 6 weeks in order to give you stomach time to heal. The dieticians are very responsive if you have questions. Plus the BTC has a long history of successul in the are of bariatric surgery. That is all they do. It was nice to know that everyone in the hospital (about 30 people) were all there for the same thing. Janine

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for your replies. JANINE-It's funny you mentioned Belvidere because I am actually from Rockford Illinois. Unfortunately I've been here now for about 6 years. I know someone who went there for the surgery and had very good things to say about it. I wish I still lived "back home" so I could go there!