Looking for quick resolution

Ok I've done months and months worth of research and I want to have a Lap RNY. I went to Dartmouth hitch****'s info meeting and left thinking "this is whole heartedly not the program for me" they have a minimum timeframe of 6-7 months, with most being about 8-12 months long. they make you take classes and jusmp through a hundred hoops before even letting you meet with the surgeon. I've done all my homework, and I need a surgeon who will sit down with me, talk to me, and get me under the knife, not a cookie cutter program. Please tell me if you guys had good expiriences with your surgeon, and relatively quick consult-table time. I don't mind 3 months, I don't even mind 4, but 6-12 months is just something I'd really like to avoid if I can. and the sooner the better in my humble opinion...If I could get this done next week, I would in a heartbeat. I want my new life and I've got all the info for both before and after surgery to help me successful, including support groups and therapy. Help?

Hi Christine, You should check out Newton-Wellesley in Mass. I think they have an incredible program. I started the process with them at the end of Feb. 06 and I had my surgery on 4/4/06. I was like you, I did all my homework and I knew what I wanted. The Doctors didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. But I wanted to know what their personalities were. Once I met them, I knew this was the place for me to have this life changing surgery. If you need more info, let me know. Priscilla

Do you have a contact number for their program.

Christine, I felt the same way after my meeting at Dartmouth-Hitch**** I was not willing to jumo through all their hoops, so I went to Brigham & Women's in Boston. I called, made an appointment for a consult the next week, and got a surgery date at the consult, which was less than 2 months later. Very easy. I didn't need any pre-op tests except routine blood work, and no pre-op weight loss, did not even have to do a liquid diet. Overall, I was very pleased with experience there. Good luck to you! I know I could not go through the Dartmouth-Hitch**** program. It seemed way too regimented and put everybody in the same group. Carrie

Carrie, what type of surgery did you get at Brigham and Womens? If it was an RNY, what size pouch did they end up giving you?

Christine, I have no idea what size pouch they gave me, but, in my opinion, it is perfect. I never had pain drinking, even drinking fast. I can eat comfortably. I feel like a regular person. Today we had a business lunch at work, and it was sandwiches. I had a roast beef sandwich and a little potato salad (this is a new job, and no one knows about my WLS, so I wanted to appear normal). I was able to eat a smallish, but normal portion, and did not draw anyone's attention. I am absolutely thrilled with my surgery and the results so far. True, I still weigh 230, but it is a lot better than 385! Carrie

Sorry Christine, It was RNY I had, and I sent you an e-mail with more info. Carrie

Christine, I know when I started I wanted it done as quick as possible. I didnt have to lose weight but I did have to maintain my weight which I had a hard time. In the program I went through it took me over a year. But I know people who went through in 4 months. its differnt for each person. But the support groups and all they require you to go through really is important. Even with all my research and all the support groups until I had the surgery (lap Band in april 06) I really didnt realize what I was going to experince. I had a few complications. Each day is a struggle. It something that will effect you mentally more than you can imagine. Sometimes they want you to go through differnt things so you are a little more prepared. Because It is a physical and emotional roller coaster. I just know how you feel I felt the same way. Even so I waited over a year post op was still hard. Also choosing the lap band I do lose slower as well. 3 months i have lost 30 pounds. Which I know with the RNY it would have been more. But hey I been this way for a long time a little longer wont hurt me. I just wanted to let you know the other side of it. because I remeber feeling like you. But i dont regret the time it took. Because looking back I dont think a year ago I would be prepared for all of this because it is so much harder than i ever thought. But best of luck finding a program that you really connect with . That is the number one thing . All sucess to you.

Well I'm certainly glad it all worked out for you. I will wait a year if i have to, and only if I HAVE to. I'm the type of person that once I make a decision (which I take my time doing) i run at my goal like a linebacker. Being just out of arms reach of my very attainable goals feels like torture. I'm not at all saying that those programs aren't an AMAZING asset. They are. They give you so much education, but after going to the meeting and watching one of their educational classes...they literally didn't teach me anything I haven't been researching on my own for 6 months....including the emotional effects and needs for support. I already have a great support system and will attend support group meetings as well, so I'm not being reckless about this. This is a well thought out decision, and i just need to have a surgeon that will sit down with me, address my concerns, and get me rolling. I really liked the people I talked to at Brigham & womens too btw, thank you guys so much. They have an info meeting tonight (which I can't make) and another on the 25th, and then they will schedule me with the surgeon of my choice (I'm researching those guys now, lol) I am also waiting on info back from Portsmouth, CMC, and Southern NH.

Well, I know how you feel about the "hoops" but I have been through them all now if I could only get the consults rolling for the lap band. What I don't understand is if other hospitals in MASS don't require the pre-op weight loss...why do all the NH hospitals? And why do they keep saying that your insurance will deny you if you don't lose and maintain the weight loss if , obviously, others are doing it without the weight loss? Just curious if anyone knows. I have lost all my pre-op plus more but want to wait for the lap band instead of the RNY..(if they don't get on the ball soon I will be looking elsewhere for that also...I can only be SO patient..I am coming up on my year also). Wen