Update!!

Hi everyone. I was so excited to get here to let you all know how my visit went today. Life is great, and I had a awesome day. Was alittle nervous, but that was to be expected as I was going to see Dr. Shinnerl. First off I need to thank EVERYONE who gave me information about Dr. Shinnerl, and his staff. Ladies, you all were right, and everything you said about them was so true. I never felt so at ease like I was when I was their today, and to make me feel so welcome. WOW, that to was over whelming. Well my appointment was for 1:30pm, and the Dr. was right on track, didn't even have to wait but maybe 5 minutes to get in. Our session lasted alittle over an hour. He was very blunt, and to the point about this surgery. Dr. Shinnerl also said he is not one for jumping to the gun, and scheduling surgery until the paitent has really thought things through. So he gave me some material to read, and wanted me to take home all the information I had soaked in, and read the phamplet he gave me, and to think things over. Dr. Shinnerl wants me to talk with a dietition (sp), a exercise consultant, and phsycitrist (sp), and then to also have another updated session with him. So Dr. Shinnerl, or his staff is going to schedule these appointments for me, and is trying to do them all in one day since I live out of town, and so I do not have to drive back, and fourth so often. So I asked him after all is said, and done if he would do the surgery on me, and he said yes. He also said I was a very high candidate for the surgery. Boy I tell you what after today I really learned alot. What your BMI is, WOW mine was outragous 50 something. And today for the first time in I do not know how long I found out my true weight, and it is at 363. That is terriable, and it makes me sick. But hopefully soon, very soon it will not be that. Soooo as of now I do not have a date set for surgery, I will be having the surgery, but time will tell. First I need to get through all this other stuff, which I had expected, and then the date will be set. Am hoping something will be set yet for this summer. I will be sure to keep everyone posted as what goes on. Sherry, his office desk girl is going on vacation for a week next week, and she told me if I have not heard from them in two weeks, from Friday, that I was to call them, and find out whats up. Also as I was leaving today Sherry was getting a hold of my clinic in Sheldon to have my files faxed to them. Nothing like getting on top of things, and getting things going, that was another thing I really liked. So for now taking one day at a time, following the doctors orders, and doing, and asking what he tells me to do is all I can do for now. But yet in the back of my mind, and heart I at least know I will be having this surgery, and will be joining everyone else on the loosing side. Oh yeah he also told me that the surgery will be in Cherokee, and that I would get a private room as well. WOW that was something else that was cool that I liked. Well ladies thanks for your support. I will be checking in with all of you daily, even if it's just to shoot the breeze. Thanks for all you have done, this may only be the beginning, but it's the beginning of a new life for me. Love you all, take care, and God Bless you all. You guys are my angles, and for that I thank the man upstairs for letting me find you all! Until next time ~Pam

Hi Pam! The gals that have had Dr. Shinnerl just LOVE him All the rooms are private there, which is sooo nice. I'm happy you found Dr. right up there like the rest of us You will also find that Sherry or one of the other gals will be on top of things getting your appointments made. I wouldn't be surprised if you came back on & told us that surgery is for late July or August. You will find that Dr. is a very cautious man, he wants to make sure you know what surgery is all about & the lifestyle changes you are in for. Yes, he is blunt about everything. And that really impressed me, I don't like someone who will beat around the bush. WLS is not to be taken lightly! He was extremely cautious with me as I had a mild heart attack in late Dec. He checked & rechecked & rechecked again with my heart doc & also my primary doc before surgery was scheduled. Each & every one of us are special to him, we are his "babies." I was his 5th lap patient & the 1st leak patient he had. I felt so comfy with him I told him I would have been his 1st lap patient! He makes you feel so at ease doesn't he? And so do the gals. Sherry has a well deserved vacation coming to her, she works hard for all the patients. AND she never is to busy to take time to answer questions for you either. She will handle all your insurance for you, so no prob there. If you have any questions please feel free to post, concerning ANYTHING. Hugs, Carolyn

Hi Carolyn. Thanks for the reply. Just knowing theirs other people out their to turn to for advise, and to talk to is great. This sight is awesome, and I am glad I found you guys. Dr. to said he wants to do the lap on me as well if he can, if not then it would be the other way. He said he has only done 7 laps, but say also that people heal from them alittle faster. Like he said he will do what he can, and told me how he really cares about his paitents. This I do believe. I also told him about the ordeal I had with a Dr. in Sioux City, I wanted to go talk to him about this surgery, but when my primary Dr. was trying to set up an appointment that Dr. would not see me as I am on Medicare. He pretty much put it in so many words that he would not make no money off doing this surgery on me. I told Dr. Shinnerl that I was pissed as that Dr. gave me the impression he was in it for the money, and didn't care if someone like me was going to live long, or not. That man, Dr. Shinnerl, he is so awesome. He has a heart of gold. He says he believes in this surgery 100%, and in so many words it doesn't matter what other people say because 9 times out of 10 over weight people who do try to diet will never succeed loosing weight, and if they do they will have a hard time keeping it off unless they have this kind of surgery done. Well until next time, take care, and God Bless! ~Pam

Glad to hear that things went well for you, Pam. Isn't it nice to have a surgeon that you are comfortable and confident with? Sounds like most have had wonderful experiences with him. While you wait for surgery, explore this site and do other research to educate yourself about this surgery. My opinion is that the more educated you are, the better you will do. God bless, Andrea

Thanks Andrea for your support. It's also great to know that their are people at this kind of sight who care as well. Just wish I would have done some more digging along time ago about all this. I would probably be a much happier person then what I am today. Thanks again for all the advise, and I will keep everyone posted as things happen. Take care until we talk again.~Pam