Hi, I'm new to OH, would like to make friends

Hi everyone, I'm Laine. I am ready to take the plunge for wls. Haven't got a date yet, waiting on approval. Hope that I can make some friends along the way. I'm really excited to talk to so many genuinely nice people, it's refreshing! Well, hope to talk to someone soon!

THE hospital is great there   DR. B have not meet him heard he was good but i chose the other dr. are yuo having the VSG or RNY

Hello Laine ... welcome to the Louisiana board and congrats on your new journey toward health and wellness. I've been in the Baton Rouge area for 14 years and I had my lap band surgery at Vista. I can't say enough good things about the nursing and support staff there. I do have some friends -- including a lap band little sister -- who are patients of Dr. Bellenger. I'm sure you will be very happy with your experience there. I look forward to getting to know you and I plan to visit your myspace. My blog follows me for the last two years and you can find a link to it in my signature line. Remember, the destination is GREAT, but one can equally enjoy the journey. Pleasant journey! Frances

Welcome to the board! Roz

Hi,to everyone who wrote welcoming me! That was sweet! I hope to have the sleeve procedure, but my insurance company only pays for the rny and lap band. So, I 'll guess will see in as little as five weeks. I'm hoping less than that! Glad to finally be nearing the finish line so to speak. I really just can't wait to have the actual surgery. Do any of you know how long it takes to get surgery scheduled once you have been approved? Even a rough estimate? I am on pins and needles, all this waiting id driving me bananas! I think I'll be fine, but is sures feels like torture, lol! Thanks again everyone!

Hi Laine! Welcome to the board and congrats on taking this awesome step for your health. P.S. I added you to MySpace. :)

Welcome and good luck on your surgery.

Welcome to the world of weight loss surgeries.  In talking to the people in Dr. B's office everyone seemed very nice.  I jumped through the hoops they required  and then was told that the dr. wouldn't do the surgery I wanted because of my age and that the hospital wouldn't do the surgery I wanted on anyone over a certain age.  He would do the gastric sleeve but not the DS.  Therefore, I am now going to a surgeon in Texas.  I have only heard good things about Dr. B and Vista but I don't really have any first hand information in that regard.  Just don't settle for a surgery because that is what they are willing to do.  From attending a group meeting there it seemed that most, but not all, of their patients have the gastric sleeve.  Just not a viable option for me. My only comment would be to explore all types of surgeries that are out there.  There are a number of them to choose from.  If you are like me, you are only going to have one shot at this thing and you should research all types of surgeries, visit the other forums, read, ask questions and see what others have to say and make an informed decision.  It has been my experience that people are very open and honest about their experiences with WLS. 

Toogie -- You should call Dr. Hargroder, he has done things that Dr. Bellanger does not do and in my humble opinion he is the best choice for wls in Baton Rouge.

I am not saying that other physicians or not as good, I am parital to Dr. H and he was a general surgeon before he started specializing in wls.  I had an awesome experience.

 

It can take up to about 4 weeks for your surgery after you are approved.  Depending on how many surgeries the dr has scheduled.  I had RNY and I am very happy with it.  I have a friend who is doing  the sleeve on the 31st of this month with Hargroder I think.  Whichever you do, best of luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you.