Dr. Tvetenstrand in Johnson City

Nope, that's not the meeting I'm talking about.  Teri has a meeting...but there is another whole group that meets...and this one is a much larger group that is run by the director of the bariatric program at Arnot Ogden.  So many of us from the Binghamton area have had surgery with the Arnot people that they decided we needed our own, local support group.   We meet at the Vestal Library on the third Wednesday of the month in the large meeting room at 6:30pm.  It doesn't matter who your doctor is or what hospital or what procedure.  It's open to anyone who is interested in WLS or has had WLS.   I went to Teri's meeting twice and I joined her yahoo group.  I honestly thought they had disbanded because I haven't seen any activity on her group in almost a year.  I think I'll send her an e-mail and see what's up with that.   I'm glad to hear that Dr. T has expanded his program.  It's so important to have the tools you'll need after the surgery.  This is a total life change and people need to be as educated as possible when they do something like this. 

missmillie29 Making an educated and informed decision for WLS and which bariatric surgeon/program is imperative. Preop jitters are also common BUT slow the process down at any point you are having doubts, this is theONE chance youhave to change your lifestyle, give it the highest priority and if that means waiting and having a 2nd opinion or another consult w/ this surgeon to ask vital questions so be it, frame it about the rest of your life not just to get the surgery you will be safer, happier and successful in the long run taking the time IF needed! Here is an article click on link! How To Choose A Bariatric Surgeon! http://www.beyondchange-obesity.com/medicalMatters/howToChooseASurgeon.html From this article (worth reading in entirity but I will snip and post piece on surgeon) 

Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery

http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/101/106101.htm?printing= true

Finding a Bariatric Surgeon

"When you're looking for a surgeon, ask if he or she is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery," says Kolenich. "Is he a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons? What is the mortality rate of the surgeon, the morbidity rate, the success rate?"Clearly, the surgeon you find should be well experienced in the area of weight loss surgery.

"Make sure the surgeon you choose is an experienced and qualified bariatric surgeon," says Daniel Herron, MD, chief of bariatric surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. "It's clear that the more experienced the surgeon, the lower the risk of mortality. Ideally, you would prefer to find a surgeon who has performed at least 100 of these procedures."

What you are looking for doesn't stop with numbers and statistics -- you will also need a support system. Look for a center or hospital that offers educational seminars to those who are just beginning the process so you can learn more about the actual procedure, the benefits, and the risks. Also look for support groups, that can be utilized pre- and post-operatively. The preparation, both physical and mental, comes next, and is as crucial to the entire process as the actual procedure. I know Dr. T stopped surgery in June 2005 due to the non-coverage of the liability insurance (per my friend Carol). I know at some point he resumed. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/forums/index.phtml? ID=TR-965685224 this is the link to his pt forum: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/forums/recentprofil eupdates.phtml?ID=TR-965685224 It looks like in 2006 hispts stopped updating OH profiles? Not sure why? But yu could try looking at these and emailing them? http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+p rofile+Christian+Tvetenstrand+MD+dkp.html Perhaps try these contacts, they are from 3/2007 so I do not KNOW HOW ACCURATE! but my dear friend Carol surely should help you! I do not know only what +++ things she has told me.

http://www.obesityenders.com/

Discussion Group Meeting Every Tuesday 6:00 PM -7:30 PM

Wilson Hospital, Picciano Building, Conference room 4, 4^th floor

Parking ramp at 40 Arch St , Johnson City

Terrie Cashimere 607-786-4487 [email protected]

Arch street is off 17C (Main St) in Johnson City. The room is on the 4th floor.  If you park in the parking ramp you will need to take the ramp elevator to the 3rd floor go inside the building then take the elevator to the 4th floor.  The room is on your right.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Binghamton_WLS/

Melissa at: [email protected]

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WLS_DrTvetenstrand/

Carole Lakomec

[email protected] or [email protected]

When you're looking for a Bariatric surgeon/points to ponder:

http://www.amylhwilliams.com/questionsforsurgeon.html good link also 1) Check out info on this site: http://www.nydoctorprofile.com/ (*search under his name & look for any malpractice suits, payouts etc. You can ask about that). 2) Is he board-certified by the American Board of Surgery? www.absurgery.org American College of Surgeons? http://web3.facs.org/acsdir/public/Detail.cfm?CHKDGTS=00299031800 3) Is he a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons? http://www.asbs.org/html/about/membersearch2.html 4) What is the mortality rate (is the number of deaths) of the surgeon, the success rate (those losing > 50% of their excess wt at 5 yrs out)? Complication rates (wound infections, hernias, strictures, leaks, reoperation etc)? Average length of time in hospital. 5) The surgeon you find should be well experienced in the area of weight loss surgery (BARIATRICS). It's clear that the more experienced the surgeon, the lower the risk of mortality. Ideally, you would prefer to find a surgeon who has performed at least 100 of these procedures. (I say over 500!). I also recommend a surgeon who dedictes his practice to WLS, not one who does a case a week.... 6) What you are looking for doesn't stop with numbers and statistics -- you will also need a multidisciplinary team one that includes: Surgeon, nutritionist, exercise physiologists, psychological support & support groups, that can be utilized pre- and post-operatively. 7) Look for a center or hospital that offers educational seminars to those who are just beginning the process so you can learn more about the actual procedure, the benefits, and the risks. 8) Is the hospital a Bariatric Center of Excellence? http://www.asbs.org/html/about/coe.html or http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx

http://www.facs.org/viewing/cqi/bscn/fullapproval.html 9) The preparation, both physical and mental, comes next, and is as crucial to the entire process as the actual procedure. Look to a surgeon that requires clearance from (what is indicated w/ your particular medical status) various doctors (psych/endocrine/hemotology/pulmonary/cardiology/nutrition etc). No this is not @ hoops this is making sure your health status is optimized before surgery. Preop smoking cessation, preop wt loss..etc. 10) What procedures does he do? Open or Lap? What is his follow up plan? Recovery time? Education is a tremendously important part of the preoperative process & there is no question that there are major risks associated with the operation. However, those risks can be minimized by having a thorough preoperative workup so there aren't surprises during the procedure, and by making sure the surgeon is experienced and qualified. This is a courageous step for people to take, and it's not just about weight changing -- it's about life changing. SO take your time, find the right surgeon/surgical program for you for your life and your health and success long-term! WLS is a decision many of us make, but should not be made impulsively (*the average time one thinks about and has WLS is 2 yrs!) as we as MO people can feel quite desperate and see this as a last resort and can sometimes go with whoever is telling us they will perform, that may not be in our best interest! EDUCATION IS KEY, AS IS A COMMITMENT & dedication to a healthy diet and exercise regimen, continual follow-up with doctors to monitor progress, and commitment to a new life. Ask him all these questions or any others think of or you think of, if HE isn't right, find someone who is! After all you’re putting your life in his hands and needing someone to care for you for life!!! Be an educated consumer of your own health! HUGS! Email me off list if I can help in any way! [email protected] Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163/185 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King   "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"