Question because I am freaking out!!!!

Okay everyone! I am totally freaking out right now. As most of you know, I am in process of doing my evals and assessments for WLS. Well my DH just dropped a huge bomb on me tonight for Valentine's Day. My husband and I were born and raised in TX. We moved here and went to school. We have been talking for years about going back but nothing ever worked out. Well he had a phone interview with a hospital in Greenville, TX and now they want both of us to come out there this monday for a job interview. I am completely excited because it is close to my hometown but I am concerned how this is going to interfere with WLS. That was actually the first words out of my mouth. He said there are surgeons there. I don't want to start over. Would it be feasible to have CMMC do the surgery but have a surgeon take over after care. It'll be a 7 hour drive from TX to CMMC. Has anyone ever been in this situation? I just don't want to start over. I see that light at the end of the tunnel...and it is luring me in. Sorry for the long post. I am just really scared I am gonna have to find a new surgeon and start over. THanks for letting me freak out! Leslie

Hey Leslie, That is a tough situation, for sure. I'll give you my story and see if that helps. I had my surgery in Biloxi on July 19,2005. I live in Jackson. I went back and forth for my consult and preop. I didn't mind it, because I wanted Dr. Ludwig to do my surgery. He has a very good reputation. Surgery went fine, but 2 days later I had a staple that was oozing blood. I ended up going back into surgery, getting 6 pints of blood and staying in the hospital for one whole week. I had only planned on three days. I drove back to the coast on August 27th for my checkup. That was Thursday and Katrina hit August 29th. I panicked because I could not get in touch with anyone there for weeks. Thank goodness I was through the crucial part of my recovery. We were notified the end of Sept. that the program had closed due to damage to the hospital and that Dr. Ludwig was going back to California. I wondered how I would make it without him and his staff. I felt lost and abandoned and on my own. However, I have started seeing a surgeon here in Jackson, Dr. Erin Cummins, and she is wonderful. I plan to get involved in their wls 'family'. So for a little while I felt like I didn't belong anywhere and it was hard. I also joined this website and have made several friends here and know that I can come here with any question I have. This is a wonderful website. I just wanted you to know that you can do it,have the surgery here and follow up somewhere else. However, I am glad I did get to see my original surgeon for my first checkup. I hope this helps a little. Good luck. Ann

Hi Ann, I'm sorry you had to deal with all the additional turmoil post Katrina in addition to WLS. I also had my surgery down on the Coast with Dr. Rose. Dr Ludwig took over the pratice when Dr Rose left. I was seeing him for followups. I was so disappointed when they told me they were closing the paractice. I would like to find another surgeon to follow me but was told Drs here in Hattiesburg don't follow other surgeon's patients. It concerns me to be without a WLS but I'm 4 years post and I have a good Primary. I'm glad you found a surgeon and a group that will support you through your weight loss. Where does Dr Cummins practice? Take care, Elesha

Elesha hijack The doctor that did my endoscopy in Dec is good with gastric patients. He practiced at Eglin Air Force Base and took care of the WKS patients there. He is very knowledgeable about it and even did the dialation and other things for people while practicing there. His name is Dr Owens from Hattiesburg Clinic--gastrology dr. Just to let you know. He is so nice and patient and really seems to know what he is doing. Just a thought for you. I am glad you took the cookies and put them in the car. Go Elesha! I know right where you are. You can do it!! Jane

That does help a lot. I would actually be using Dr. Cummins, Cleveland or Ferrogia (sp?). I was thinking have surgery there and do the initial post op appt with them but then transfer records to TX. I have been looking on here at a surgeon an hour away from where I would be living and he has great reviews. I guess maybe I should send an email and see if his staff would agree to take over my post-op care. Thanks for replying. I feel better. I did hate to hear how everything happened with you especially where Katrina was concerned. She was a humdinger of a mess wasn't she. She tore part of my roof off and I live 6 hrs from point of impact. Thanks again! Leslie

Hi Leslie, Definately checkup on whether the new area has a surgeon who accepts patients from other doctors. Alot of surgeons will not accept posties for followups. In Hatttiesburg, I was told Dr. Whitehead does not follow other surgeon's patients. It is a shame because my surgeon left the Coast after the storm. It is a scary feeling to be without someone you trust especially in the first year. I'm further out but still would like to know a WLS is available to answer my questions or if I have an emergency. I have a great Primary who understands my concerns, so that helps. Maybe the surgeon who is doing your WLS could coordinate with a surgeon in TX and prearrange your aftercare or if he/she thinks you should start the process in TX so you can have continuous care, get you started further along in the approval at the new surgeon. Good luck, ELesha

I found a surgeon via OH. I sent an email explaining my predicament to see what he suggested. I guess we will wait to see what he says. Les

Gastric bypass is becoming so popular. There has to be someone close by that is really good. However, we can't let you leave Mississippi! Sonya

I know that this is a toughie. I live in Hong Kong and they do not do the gastric by-pass or banding in HK. In fact laproscopic surgeries have just been done in the past 7 or 8 years only! I do have a close relationship with my general practioner and a surgeon here who did WLS in Australia. After several long chats with them and securing their committment to support me, I went home to New Orleans to have surgery! I did have some complications, you can read my page, but finally after I was on the mend, I decided to return to Hong Kong early on August 20th instead of staying until the middle of September as initially planned. Good thing that I did, since Katrina came just a few days after I left and I would have been in a very precarious situation. Actually, once you heal internally, you need a doctor locally who can follow you and who knows and is in contact with the WLS surgeon. I email and call the Oschner's Clinic when I have a question and my doctor has the surgical report also, and is in contact with the doctor. Overall, I have done very well but follow the diet and instructions of the doctor all the time. Hope that this info helps a little bit! Cheryl

YIKES!!! It's real hard to get another surgeon to take over after you've had surgery....I'd check real hard into the area your moving into. Check out the Texas board..You might just find a doc you'll be more happy with....BUT if not, I'd have the surgery here and stay with friends when I needed a checkup!!!! Good luck! Smoochies ARlies