Hi!...any one from Opelousas?

Hi, Newbie here! Is there anyone from around Opelousas on this message board? I haven't had wls yet but have a consultation scheduled in 2 wks. Am a little nervous about that. If there is anyone here who would like to let me know about their experiences I would be grateful. And for the other RN on the board...I am also an RN, have been for 11 years now. But I work in a small town hospital, nothing like New Orleans has to offer I am sure. Thanks for hearing me out gals/guys.............T--resa

Welcome!! I live in the "northern" part of Louisiana now, but I lived in Sunset from 1968-1974. Yes, I know that was a LONG time ago.... LOL I had my RNY in New Orleans on September 29, 2004 and am doing GREAT!! I've lost 90 lbs. since the middle of August. I am VERY happy that I had surgery. I have not had ANY complications at all!! Again, welcome to the LA board. Feel free to ask any questions that you have! Hugs, Pam

Thanks for responding, Pam! Congrats on the slimming down and especially on not having any complications from the procedure. I am about 100#'s overweight and at 5'6" I think that makes my BMI 38.1. (Seems like I remember seeing that somewhere) The surgeon I am consulting with does either an open or lap RNY. The hospital I will have it done at (if approved) is Doctors Hospital in Opelousas. Did you have a lap or open RNY? I have heard that there are more complications with open vs. lap. I am hoping that the surgeon will be able to do a lap procedure. ANYWAY...enough on that seeing as I have not attended the consultation yet... always getting carried away. Why did you have to go to New Orleans to have the surgery? Were there not any surgeons who performed the procedure in North LA? And the final question, yes I will stop now, is how was it after the surgery? Not the pain of course...the not being able to eat as you were used to? That is going to be the deciding factor for me...if I think I will be able to cope with that issue. I think I can...but it is going to be tough. T--resa

My surgeon is here, but I chose that because of his record. He's been doing this for over 20 years, has done more than 3000 surgeries, and has never lost a WLS patient. Dr. Roury O'Connell from the Renew program at Methodist hospital in New Orleans.

Hey there T--resa I am from Lafayette. I am in Lafayette so I am real close to you. I am post-op 8 days now and have lost 26 pounds as of this morning. E-mail me if you would like. Stan

Lotsa RNs here, including a board for us RNs. (link below) http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/member-interests/rn/ Welcome to the boards!! GOOD timing on popping up, you should go see the Louisiana group get together info for May 7th! (link below) http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/state-forums/LA/postdetail/2262.html?vc=0

Hi T--resa Welcome to the board I'm not an RN. But my sister is one. She works up in NYC. That is were I live. But I'm hoping to live down in New Orleans. In fact I'm working toward some goals to get me there soon. Nice to meet you Maria

Hi T. I am not from Opelousas but from a small town of Woodworth not far from you. I am having the DS at Southwest Medical Center on May 2, 2005. It is in Lafayette. Dr. Gary Stevens is my surgeon. Hope things go well for you. This is my second attempt for this. I was scheduled for June 9, 2004 but had a heart attack on May 26. My Cardioligist is insisting on this now for my health sake. Hope to see you on the losing side before long. Donna Butler(not an RN but have sister & sister-in-law who are in Alexandria.)

Thanks for the response....makes me feel not so alone over here in 'Smallville' I have been working today and have a busy weekend planned so I might not get to post until Sunday. But I plan on taking all of you up on your offers of emailing and unlimited questioning. So watch out, guys/gals. T--resa

Hi - I was born in Opelousas - but never lived there. I have relatives that have lived there for years. I live in a small town called Broussard, 8 miles outside of Lafayette. I just had surgery March 21st and would be happy to answer any questions I can.