New to the board in Mississippi

Hi everybody! I am happy to have found a board of people in Mississippi! I was starting to wonder if I would ever find anybody close by that could relate to me wanting this surgery and I finally stumbled across this board. I am 38 yrs old from Hattiesburg, MS and looking to having either the sleeve or lap band surgery done. I am considering going to Mexico to do it since insurance wont pay and I see no other way of doing it. I have found a Dr there that I think I may go with, Dr Alvarez...has anybody heard of him? I am so nervous about this and my hubby is not being supportive about it! ughhh I am looking forward to having other friends in the same condition as me!!!!!!! Tina

Tina, Welcome aboard! I believe we have a member who used that same doctor. The name sounds familiar. Maybe she'll chime in. I could be wrong though! LOL I'm sorry your hubby isn't being supportive. That is frustrating. Hopefully he'll turn around! Will you do it even if he doesn't want you too? I know I wasn't going to let anyone stop me from having the surgery! Luckily I didn't face too much opposition, but it is, after all, MY body and I was a determined individual! I don't know much about the lapband or sleeve, but I do know people who've been successful with the lapband. I had RNY. It was the only surgery my insurance would cover. Luckily it was my first choice. I needed the discipline (sp?) that it forces you to have. LOL Anyway, just glad you are here. Let us know how we can help! HUGS Kimberly

Welcome "on board" - I believe Kim is right, there is one of us who used that doctor and was pleased with outcome. We also have had several members whose husbands were not so supportive at first, but were very supportive after going to some meetings, meeting some of us who have had successful surgeries, and such....so, I believe there is a support group meeting close to you there, and if you could maybe get him to go and see "what it is all about", as I am sure he is just concerned about your safety. It could be very scary to send your spouse out of country for a surgical procedure - So, just hang in there and get him involved if you can.... DeAnna

I was determined to do something about my constant battle with my weight. I have lost and regained hundreds of pounds in my lifetime. My husband was not supportive in the beginning but as we talked to people we know that has had r-n-y's and lapbands he became more in line to talk about do surgery. I wanted to have lap-band but my ins only pay for r-n-y's. It took me 9months to get all the ins requirements done and have all the preop test done. I have a dr today to get my surgery date! !I have been one the perop diet my ins requires since august and have lost 40 lbs. My surgen is Dr. Michael King of Oxford , Ms. He said that I have an excellant job in pre-op that I should do well in post-op. I am 56 years old and have a weight problem since I was a teenager. I sugest you resurch you Dr. and the post and pre op care before you decide on a dr. You my need to talk to local bariatric surgen to see if they well give you follow-up care. Hope you can get it all worked out !

Hi! Tina there is a great support group in hattiesburg you can acquire alot of useful information. It is every third Monday at the pine grove health facility in the aaembly hall. I would be glad to give you more info on this. Our next meeting is April 16th. Welcome kim

Welcome to the MS board. I live in Petal as well. You should come to the Hattiesburg support group meeting on Monday April 16th at 6:30 at Pine Grove Assembly Hall. You can ask lots of questions and speak to people who have just had the surgery or who are farther out. I had Lap Rny over 3 years ago and am doing great. Melissa 277/136 Lap Rny 1/15/04

WOW you all are great!!! I would LOVE to attend the meeting on the 16th!!! Somebody please remind me closer to time so that I dont forget if you will. Melissa its great to meet somebody from PETAL on here also, what a small world! Are you going to the meeting on the 16th? Will there be people like me there who havent yet had the surgery? Im excited and excited to be a part of this wonderful group. Hugs to you all. Tina

I will be at the meeting and would love to meet you. There are all types of people at these meetings - preop and post op. It is an excellent place to get information if you are thinking about surgery, and it is a great place to get support and answers if you have already had surgery. I am about the fartherst out that still attends. There are a couple who sometimes come who had surgery a few months before me. A good many people are usually there that have not had surgery yet and are just wanting to talk to people who have had surgery. So, come on and join us. Melissa

Hi Tina, I'm in Hattiesburg too! I am 5 years post RNY. I just got back from the support group meeting tonight and it was great to see all the faces. I've been away from the boards and support groups for a while but now I'm back to stay. I hope to meet you soon. Elesha

I guess I missed the meeting! I didnt even realize it was tonight. Oh well I am going to a seminar in Baton Rouge next Tuesday with Dr Bellanger so I guess that will be interesting. I guess I will also book my appointment then too. I keep switching from going to Mexico to going to Baton Rouge. I will probably stick with Baton Rouge. Im having the Sleeve done.