OCC @ Tufts-NEMC Experiences

Hi All, I'm at the very beginning of my journey to WLS and am in the Obesity Consult Center surgical program at Tufts-NEMC and was just wondering if any of you good folks out there are either currently in that program, have been through the program, or know anybody who has been a part of it. It's not that I'm having second thoughts, but more that I just want to hear about the experiences of others as a way of reassuring myself that I've made the right decision. Thanks in advance.....and I can't wait to join you all on the losing side of life! :>)

Hi Bill: I had LapBand Surgery on 1/3/07 with Dr. Kim. My experience with OCC has been wonderful. Their program is good. I like that they try to cover all aspects and support you before and after. This Monday at 6 is the Post-op Lapband meeting but beginners can go and then at 7 is the New Patient Orientation. Overall it has been a great experience so far and I don't expect that to change. Feel free to send me an note if you have other questions about anything! Take care, Stacy

hey bill, im joining your wls trip. just met with dr. kim 2/1 and she tells me it will be the last week in april for my surgery. very excited, cant wait for the 6 wk. class to start to ask my million questions. How soon is your surgery? hope to hear more from you and other pre-ops as to how they are handling the pre-op weight loss. being a newbie i cant help with much experience at nemc but im going to just jump in and make the most of the experience. much luck to you.:-)

Hi Pandora, Thanks for getting back to me so quickly! Wow, you've already met with Dr. Kim! I'm probably going to have Dr. Shikora do my surgery, but I figured I wouldn't get to meet with him until after completing the Behavior Change Group and going to all the other meetings and meeting with the other doctors. My plan is to hopefully have my surgery mid-June (I'm a teacher, so I don't want to have to miss any class time). Hope to hear from you again soon!

Hi Bill, I had Lap RNY at NEMC on 11/14/06 and can tell you it was the BEST decision of my life!! Dr Shikora performed my surgery and had I not had those little wounds on my belly I would have swore they didn't do the surgery for the first 2 weeks....I felt that good!! But then I was allowed more solid food and I knew I they did do the surgery....he he he!! I have had no complications, I feel great, the NEMC staff are wonderful! I lost 23 pounds prior to surgery and have lost 47 since surgery for a total so far of 70 pounds gone!! Congratulations on your decision and best wishes on your journey! Feel free to email me if you have any questions! Melinda

Hi Melinda, Thanks for getting back to me so quickly! It's so great to hear how happy you are with the outcome of your RNY w/Dr. Shikora. I certainly hope to be experiencing the same feeling (and a similar loss! Way to go!!!) in the near future. Do you go to the Post-op Support group at Tufts, or do you do any kind of group more local to you? Bill

Hi again Bill, I don't go to the Post-op group at Tuft's as I live on Cape Cod and making that drive in for a 1 hour group meeting just isn't in the cards. I took the bus in during the summer when I did my 6 week class. It took the whole day on my only day off....but I will say it was worth the trip at this point. I actually NEVER attended a group meeting even though they are listed as "to do"s" on your list of things to do pre-op. Our little secret, ok?? he he he! They do a once a month support group here on the Cape but I haven't yet been to one of those either. At the moment I seem to be getting enough support from this website, especially the November 06 board where we are all on the same page, at the same stage, etc... NEMC also has a group called smallbites in Yahoo that you might want to check out. They are great, the folks there are at all stages from just thinking about surgery to many years post-op. And you must be a member of NEM**** to join the group so that's helpful as well. Good luck and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have! Melinda

hi bill i have been with occ for the last eight years. out of the eight years four years ago i had gastric byass done by dr shikora it was the best decision i've ever made in five months i going for plastic surgey at tufts that will be one of two surgery that i will have from there from dr davidson the plastic surgeon i think you have made the right decision maureen

Hi Maureen, Thanks for getting back to me. I'm already fairly sure I made the right decision to go with the OCC, but it's extra nice to hear from others who have had good experiences with them.......makes me feel even more hopeful for the future. Thanks again, Bill

Dr. Tarnoff did my RNY at NEMC this past Halloween. EVERYONE there is amazing - the doctors, all the clinicians and the nurses on the surgical floor. Their program is demanding, but they are there to help you every step of the way and they want to make sure that you're as prepared as they can get you for surgery. I (personally) wouldn't even consider going anywhere else. Their program is like no other. Good luck!