AMAZING!!!!

I went to the seminar for Dr. Lord in Pensacola, FLA. He is AMAZING!!! It was so informative, and he is a great doctor. He has great stats... over 1000 surgeries, and not one death. He had only one leak in his career and that was when he was in fellowship... His stricture rate is 1/100 and his ulcer rate is 2/100. The only thing I DON'T like is he sends you home with a drain...YUCK. Maybe I can talk him OUT OF THAT for me He has great credentials, great reviews, some on his staff (his nurse and his psychiatrist) have had the surgery. I am so excited. I have everything completed, and they said they will call me TOMORROW with a consultation appointment within 2 weeks.... YEA!!!! I am so excited now. He put my heart and mind at ease, as well as my hubby's. He is confident and seems terrific and caring. I can't wait. Just wanted to share!! Connie

Yay Connie!!!!! I am so proud for you!!!!! Good luck with everything... Hugs, Danielle

Thanks Danielle!! How did you appt with your pcm go??

Connie, That is great girl. I know the feeling of a drain would be like you said YUCK. Well maybe you will be lucky like I was and not get a drain. I was really surprised but I didnt have to have one at all. In fact I didnt even have one n the hospital. So we are going to pray that things go GREAT and you do not have to have one. That is AWESOME GIRL July is right around the corner girl. I know ur excited, I remember how excited I was when I had mine. Well Girl off to feed the kids, talk to you later. Missie

Hi Missie... I really don't like the idea of a drain. I have had to pull them at work, and YIKES. ALthough, alot of people say it isn't as bad as it looks.... HOWEVER, the ppl with wls that had them say they are HORRIBLE to pull out. I am not big on pain...lol I AM so very excited. Dr. Lord is great. You know they say if it is to good to be true, it usually is? WELL.... I think I got the closest I can get before it is not true...lol

Hi Michelle... I think I do, and I have not even met him face to face yet... I can't wait for that!! Thanks.

Yeah!!! It appears that everything is being put in place for your wls!!! I am excited for you... we have recently switched to tricare prime and am going to speak with my pcp Monday (June 19th). You have stirred up my curiosity about Dr. Lord. I am not sure which direction I will be led to go ... who knows? It was great to read posting from you online... I have missed not hearing from you. s keep you safe, Wanda Mack

LOL, well he is a dream come true... Let me know if you want more info on him. Best of luck on Monday... You have mail by the way

Hi Connie, You need to read my post(s). I too live nearby in Biloxi, and really wanted to be able to go thru Keesler for my surgery but thanks to Katrina, we all know how this has turned out. At least I had ALL of my pre-op tests completed at KAFB.(Also, had my open heart surgery last year at Keesler before Katrina, just in time. God is good!) My PCM at Keesler said she could refer me to a doc in Mobile who has a wonderful reputation and is covered under the Tri-Care Prime plan. Through online research, I found Dr. Avara in Ocean Springs so I opted for the nearby convenience. He is also a very excellent Doctor. Also, I am very borderline, almost at a BMI of 40, and not quite 100 pounds overweight, nor do I have 5 years of documented medically supervised weight loss efforts. I elected to self pay, and I question my sanity in doing so. I have justified my self paying with the fact that my surgery will be done at Singing River Hosp in Pascagoula, and Dr. Avara's office, the South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center is only 5 miles from where I live so attending the group support meetings will be easy to attend. His center (currently) does not accept Tri-Care, so this is why I am self paying. I didn't want the drive to and from Mobile for this procedure and the followup, and group support meetings. I have attended one gruop support meeting at his office. The second Thurs. of each month. There were 20 patients there, both lapband and RNY in various stages of WLS. One young man was 18 months out with a 217 pound loss. He looked wonderful! Several ladies therte to looked beautiful. The group was full of so much sincere positiveness. I felt like I really "belonged" there. It's "my new family" locally, and the folks here online are another extention of "my new family". We have a pretty good thread started under my name for the Mississippi forum. Also, under the main message board my original post is "I have a date", July 20th! There are several ladies who are all having their surgeries all around or about the same time. We need to keep posting and share our open emotional feelings, mentally, and physically. We can all support one another. We are all in this together. *Group Hug* Kristin Ashcom ( aka silverkrisi)

Hi Kristen, I had spoke with the lady from Dr. Avara's office. I was/am on a list to be called (they are currently working on a contract to accept tricare prime). I was kinda upset at first about having to travel... but then I found Dr. Lord. Even if I didn't have to travel, I would still choose to go over to pensacola to have it done... He sounds amazing. I have, indeed, heard a great deal about Dr. Avara too... but I need to have ins cover mine We have a small support group from keesler, I think it meets the 3rd monday of the week... I'll ask Rhonda and let you know. Anyone is welcome.. It is pretty good... smaller since the hurricane, but supportive none the less. I have my consult date set up for the 7th of July. I can't wait! Have a great day, and I look forward to talking with you