Just beginning the process

I am just beginning the process. I have my psych eval on Tues. Apr.17. Is it realistic to think I could have my surgery by June.

Hi Judy, I am sorry i cant help with your question but i too am just starting everything.. and ya know i am just sooo excited.. i cant wait - i see my surgeon on 4/26 but i do not want surgery till after my vacation in july. and my surgeon makes his patients lose 3o pounds first.. ugh.....Rose

Hi Rose, I too live in Lockport, NY. Who is your doctor? I had Dr. Dibenadetto and I thought he was wonderful. I wish you luck in your journey. Hugs Chris

hi Chris Yes i have Dibenadetto also.. i have his seminar on 4/26 -- any helpful hints.. and i am so glad to hear you thought he was wonderful.. what about the hospital.. how long ago was your surgery? Rose

Hi again Rose, I will probably be at Dr. D's seminar on the 26th. I try to go to them all, but don't always get to make it. I had my surgery in Jan 06 and have lost 144 pounds. I am starting to look into plastics now though I would like to loose 10 more pounds. Feel free to read my profile from June 05 is when my journey began. They require a 20 pound weight loss but that is for you to show your commitment to the program. As far as the hospital goes, I actually do the tours there for the new patients. I was in from MOnday through Thursday and they were all great. You get a private room and all large sized furniture and the nurses were great. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Good luck in your journey. Hugs, Chris

i work for a large company with the WORSE possible insurance and my one and only choice is Dr Dibendetto and LMH or out of the area.... My parents and my sister all had Dr Dibenedetto for their surgery's and i do not doubt his skill as a surgeon in the least (maybe as a person, but not a surgeon) and i guess being a surgeon is more important than being a person.. my second concern is LMH seems like i have heard stories from my family members that work there and people in my family discharged from there.. they come home with either staph or mrsa.. these types of infections concern me. I am also told it seems to be quite common for that hospital. I have no problems with the 20 to 30 lbs you have to lose - if you are not dedicated to the lifestyle change it just wont work... prove it.. i understand completely.. i have a list of questions i have set aside for the seminar- if i have 5 or 6, does Dr D have a problem with that?

Not at all...He answers all the questions and also has us there to answer questions too. As far as the hospital goes, I have not heard of anyone who came out with an infection. I am not sure you ever really will know unless you give it a shot. I would recommend it to anyone. Especially Dr.D. Perhaps I can answer some of your questions.... Hugs Chris

i think the questions are mainly for him i do want to know how quickly i would get an appt to see him after the seminar i figure i wanna get in there right away so i can start losing the weight.. what happens at our first office visit..?

Your first visit consists of meeting with his PA and getting weighed and going over your history. She then tells you how much to lose, and what tests you have to have done. Usually sleep study, psych eval, and nutritionist. My seminar was June 2nd, called the office June 3rd and was scheduled to see the PA on June 28th. I didn't meet with Dr. D until August.

that seems to work out with my timing.. although my insurance company may be a hold up... i have vacations in june and july.. i figure 2months to lose the 20 lbs.. thats if i can get in in may i can go back in july after my last vaca and i will have had all the tests and lost the 20lbs (definately!!!!!) so when i have passed my tests and lost the weight and have insurance company approval.. i am in.. i think out of everything my insurance company issues will be the worst.. i could be looking at surgery in august/september.. is that reasonable?