Newbie to the Iowa support group

Hello All! Just thought I would introduce myself. I am new to this group, my name is LaShawnda. I am scheduled to have surgery on August 26, in Cedar Rapids. My doctor is Dr. Nielsen and I will be having an open VBG done. If anyone has had any experience w/Dr. Nielsen or this particular surgery I would appreciate any info you could provide. Especially info on Dr. Nielsen. Hope to hear from someone...anyone soon Take care, LaShawnda

Hi LaShawanda, Welcome to our little messageboard, anything you want to know these people most likely can tell you about. I am still trying to get this surgery but am wanting it in Cedar Falls with Dr. Glas**** Wow your time is comming soon huh, congrats to you and real soon you will be a real loser(the good kind). I am so dang jealous. Oh yeah, dah, my name is Tina and again welcome.

hello,welcome to the board i hope everything goes good for you. and congrat to a new life i had surgey in april i have lost 72 pounds so far its worth it i love my new life.

welcome! i had my surgery 2 months ago and have lost 50 pounds so far! i now can walk around the block. you will do ok. we are here for you. mary jo

Hi LaShawnda! Glad you found us! (I am terrible at directions!!) This is definitely the place to get your questions answered. Elizabeth

Welcome aboard. I hope you have thought long and hard about the VBG vs any other surgery. I had a revision from the VBG done in 97 to the RNY in 01. Dawn on here is having a revision from the VBG done in 95 to the RNY also. You throw up all the time with the VBG and aren't as successful. Please, be informed before following through with the VBG. You might want to check out www.yahoogroups.com on a board for revisions.

Welcome LaShawnda. I am pretty new here too, but the people here are wonderful. Sorry I don't have any info regarding VBG,but I wish you the best. Gloria

I'm also a newbie. I have surgery scheduled for September 16th and am getting nervous. I am hoping that with all my medical problems that I am making the correct decision and that all works out. Anyway, I am having my surgery with Dr. McBride in Omaha. The good thing is that I will be going on vacation soon to visit my family for a week. My date will be here before I know it so hopefully I can keep my emotional eating to a minimum so I don't gain another 30 pounds before surgery. =) Anyway, have a great day and I'm sure I will talk to y'all soon!! Jen

Welcome LaShawnda! I had an open RNY done July 2002 and have lost 163 pounds to date. There is a girl at my support group that had a vbg done and although her weight loss is slower than the poeple that had bypasses, she has been happy with the results. I opted for the RNY because I WANTED dumping syndrome (I know I sound nuts, but when you have a lack of willpower, sometimes you have to FORCE the willpower on yourself). I have never thrown up, although there have been times that I really wanted to I Wish you good luck on your journey, if you ever have any questions please post them or email me, no moatter how silly they may seem. One thing I wish I would have asked about is about periods... mine was not supposed to come until 2 weeks after surgery, but it started on day 3 in the hospital and I was unprepared. The nurses said that almost all women experience this, their bodies are in shock from surgery therefore they start it. Take care!! ~Julie