New to the Board

Hi, everyone. I have been "lurking" for quite awhile now. I started looking into surgery a couple of years ago, but my insurance wouldn't cover it. Insurance changed this spring, and I began my journey with a Dr. appointment in August. I now have a surgery date of October 28th, and have been spending time each evening looking at all the wonderful information on the site, and all the messages from everyone on the Iowa forum. It's been encouraging to see all the positive things you have to say about the surgery, particularly with all the negative press it's getting right now. I look forward to getting to know you better!

Hi Shelly -- Welcome to the board! I just came out of "lurking" a couple weeks ago, too. (I don't have a surgery date yet.) Thanks for letting us know about your surgery date, and keep us posted! Francie

Hi Shelly- Today I am 5 weeks post op and I am doing great. Welcome aboard. I had my surgery at Iowa Methodist by Dr. A.C. and he was great. Had no complications and so far I've lost over 30 lbs. Well good luck and I will be praying for you. Keep us all posted. Diana

Shelly: Congrats on your upcoming surgery- very exciting! All the negative press right now is a little disconcerting. I have been doing a lot of soul searching to make sure this is the right decision for me. What I have decided is that if I have faith in my surgeon and his staff, my preop tests show that I have no unusual risk factor that might negatively affect my outcome and I do everything I can do to reduce my chances for complications (like starting now to cut back a little on food and increase exercising so my heart and lungs are healthier)- there is not much else i can do. Good luck on your journey- it will be here before you know it!!!

welcome to the board I had surgey in april I lost a total of 96 pounds so far I have so much energy congrads on your surgey date I will keep you in my prayers it was the best thing I ever did for myself good luck keep us posted.

Welcome Shelly! It's so nice to meet you on here. I don't get a chance to post often, but I do like to take some time to catch up on reading as much as I can. Everyone here is so caring and supportive, it's just AMAZING I will keep you in my prayers on the 28th. My surgery is Nov 3rd so we won't be too far from eachother Take care!

Hi Shelly! Negative issues always get bad press even if they only represent .05% of the total. Makes one wonder if there would be as much said about hemmorahging after a tonsilectomy or people who die from burst appendics. Bottom line is we are messing with some pretty delicate areas of our bodies that not only the actual cutting can damage, but residual effects such as blood clots and electrolyte imbalances that affect the heart can occur. The rest of the statistics prove there are many more success stories than horror stories. Not to sound callous about the people who have lost their lives- my heart goes out to their families;the fact that the deaths occured in the same hospital with the same doctor is just a bit too coincidental and raises more suspicion about failure of medical personnel than general risk. Shelly- I hope your experience is as rewarding as mine has been! Just remember, only God can ultimately decide the outcome!