I am going through Dr Hachem at the Flint Hill Sirgery Clinic. I am still pre op but I have had my appointment with them and the office staff has been very helpful and the Dr has been great at answering questions. I know Dr Bollman started the surgery in this area and has a lot of experience.

I have posted on here before, thought i'd try it again never even got one answer!! I am looking for a support group in se kansas anywhere from ft. scott, to iola, to paola, maybe even olathe.. please if anyone knows of one I would sure appreciate the info. thanks, susan

Well, I went to orientation last night and had a lot of questions answered. I am going to bite the bullet and do the classes because I think the committment to do them will help prepare me the best.  A gal did a short chat last night who was 2 yrs post op and she said she had a friend who had surgery 6 months ago at one of the speedier places and she's lost a whopping 10 lbs.  That made me think twice.  I think I'll stick with SFL.  I'm also very grateful for the insurance I have (Blue Shield of CA - I work for a CA company) and they don't require the months of dieting and Dr. Dort was their surgeon of choice.  Since he was also the choice of two of my docs, I think I'm where I need to be.  They also said they might be able to condence some of the nutrition classes or something so I didn't have to come quite as many times.  I figure it is going to cost me about $30 a class just for gas.  But then I think about my co-pays on my monthly drug bill is over $300 and I expect this surgery to drastically cut that down so it will all wash out.  I have a fairly new vehicle and a husband who is willing to support me in this and drive so I think I'll just count my blessings. 

Mendee - Mulvane huh?  My favorite aunt of my husband's lived there for years and just died a few months ago.  Spent many happy times there. 

Ginger

Also I forgot to mention that I, like you, have a lot of baggage from past stressors & losses.  It has taken me years of on and off therapy to finally get past those issues.  But the person who did my eval saw the therapy hx as a positive & also instructed me to be sure to get back into therapy after surgery if I felt those issues coming back up.  (I hope they don't but who knows...like I said, I've been in therapy on & off for about 30 years now dealing with the same old ****!)  Like you, I was completely honest with her although I didn't have to tell her a lot of it since this was the first time I'd seen her.  She is giving me a positive recommendation.  If you decide to have a second eval done, I would be happy to give you her name & #.

Grama,

I agree with Mary in that you have probably hit a stall. I also noticed your weight is lower than many gastric patients. I have read and studied on this board for 6 months, and I commonly hear that lower weights and BMI's usually mean a little slower weight loss.

I have lost almost 40 # in 6 months (all pre-op) so your 25 # in 6 weeks sounds amazing!!!