Albany Medical Center Question

So I called Albany Medical Center today to get the ball rolling.

Feb 10th- Education Session
Feb 25th- Vist w/ the PA
March 4th- Inital Consult w/ Nutritionist
March 27th- FU w/ Nutritionist
April 15th- Vist w/ Surgeon

Im excited. but has anyone been here before? What happens when I met with the PA, or Nutritionist? Are they the ones that write out scripts for pre-surgical testing? And I know that the vist with the surgeon is only a general surgeon, do I met with one of the WLS surgeons after the consult with the 1st surgeon??

Any Imput would be GREAT!

kdinardo
Hello, welcome wow you got a treatment plan going!
I had my surgery with Dr. Singh 6+ yrs ago, awesome prgram which is a bariatric center of excellence and evolving and improving all the time! I have facilitate support groups and preop educational seminars as well in the past for them!

No the surgeon is the bariatric surgeon there are a team of at least 3 on staff! Have you seen thier website?
http://www.amc.edu/Patient/services/Surgery/Bariatric/bariatric_home.html

They require a preop 10% wt loss so can start working on that now, just get an official preop wt! for instance if you are 300 # you need to lose 30# or if 400# lose 40# and so on.....

The PA is medical clearance and that is the time they will tell you what oterh providers you may have to see (Endocrinology, gastroenterology for upper GI, cardiology if that is an issue, if you ned pulmonology and sleep study for sleep apnea, hemetology if blood issues etc etc etc)...
If you have ?'s email me off list [email protected]

Tell us about yourself how long have you been researching?

Forgot to add you need at least 2 support groups (I RECOMMEND WEEKLY UNTIL SURGERY THAN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE POSTOP!)

LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS AS OF 1/1/2009

1. Saratoga 1st Monday of the Month at Saratoga Hospital in the Board Room 6-8pm; 211 Church Street Saratoga Springs NY 12866 Open to anyone preop/postop and their support person(s) regardless of surgery/surgeon http://www.saratogacare.org/index.cfm?contentID=25&facilityID=3&itemType=3
this is Saratoga's website the board room is downstairs floor, if you are in front of hospital look to right of main entrance, says same day surgery go in first door on left! My contact info [email protected] or (office) 518 626-5404 *can call hospital operator 587-3222 would know or on our website:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SaratogaSprings-NY-WLS-support/

2. Glens Falls please call to confirm with Karen Hogan @ (518) 926-2615 or email her @ [email protected] Meets every other month (EVEN NUMBERED MONTHS on the second WEDNESDAY of EVEN NUMBERED months, at 6:00-7:30 p.m. GF Hospital Learning Center side B- in Glens Falls, NY. It doesn't matter which hospital, surgeon, type of surgery, or nutritionist you are using. It is open to anyone who would like more information. http://www.glensfallshospital.org/ http://www.glensfallshospital.org/nutrition_support_groups.htm

3. Albany Med http://www.amc.edu/Patient/services/Surgery/Bariatric/bariatric_home.html
a. A general preop/postop EVE support groups EVERY Thursday 5:30-7:30pm(open to anyone) but mainly Dr. Singh/Dr. Rosati patients attend. CALL FOR THE LOCATION!!! 262-2195 facilitated by Janet Folkman Social Worker and seasoned Veteran RNY postop [email protected]
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/upstatenywlssupport/
b. A general DAYTIME preop/postop support groups EVERY OTHER Monday 2-4pm call for dates/location (518) 262-2195 facilitator varies
c. Lap Band Support group at Albany Med SECOND Monday of the Month 5pm-6:30pm 262-2195 facilitated by Janet Folkman
d. LONGTERM WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SUPPORT (those over 1 year out) SECOND MONDAY AT AMC 6:30pm-8pm ?Check Tape for location! ALWAYS CHECK THE answering machine system to call in case of cancellations/in-climate weather (518) 262-2195 as of 1/1/2009 help on Hackett Blvd. Albany Med South Clinical Campus!

4. Schenectady: Ellis
http://www.ellishospital.org/bariatric/bariatric.htm
http://www.ellishospital.org/bariatric/seminars.htm
Bariatric Support Groups give weight loss patients and potential patients an
intimate forum to discuss personal and medical issues. The group meets the first
Monday and the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Ellis Hospital's
George Wm. Graham Auditorium. Support groups are supervised by a medical
professional and feature a guest speaker such as a nutritionist, a psychologist,
an endocrinologist, or a surgeon. Parking for both the seminar and support group is available, free of charge, in the Ellis Hospital parking garage, which is accessible from Nott Street. Please note that attendees may be dropped off directly outside the auditorium door, which is accessible from Parking Lot # 1 off of Rosa Road.
Ellis Hospital Bariatric Care Center
1405 Fulton Avenue
Schenectady, NY 12308
Phone: 518.243.1313
Fax: 518.831.7007
Email: [email protected]
ALL bariatric patients - regardless of surgeon chosen, are welcome to attend the Ellis Bariatric Support Group meetings. We have always been an open meeting and do provide documentation of attendance for compliance with different surgical program pre-requisites. The meetings are run by Pamela Spicer [email protected] and topics vary (based on the "Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients" and certified by Bariatric Support Centers, International ) and time is provided for small group discussion or networking time at the end of each meeting.


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good article to review

Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery

http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/101/106101.htm?printing=true
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The single BEST piece of advice I can offer being ~6+ yrs out is this to anyone:
***Disclaimer some may consider this a no-brainer, others a downer, some a new view, psychobabble, whatever thought it is just my opinion, so take it for what it is worth, and it is meant to be helpful/insightful and thought provoking at a time so many of us are caught up with the right vitamin to take, amount of water to drink, etc.. it is meant to challenge beyond those tasks to see the small stuff matters but that there is a larger and more global view as well to consider!!!***

Establish your mindset to accept that weight loss surgery is not a cure/quick fix for morbid obesity, it's a very effective/powerful/wonderful tool that can be used lifelong to combat the chronic/lifelong disease of morbid obesity that has NO *current* CURE (*So at 1 yr out when many say 100# gone forever I sometimes shudder, it is never gone forever it is gone for now but the work has just started at 1 yr out IMHO). The tool is flawed and can be defeated as well (emotional eating, grazing, drinking calories, eating/drinking together, alcohol use, high calorie dense foods, too many simple carbs, overfilling pouch, carbonation, no consistent exercise routine). Considered WLS as part of a life-long process & commitment to challenge your personal awareness/responsibility/consistency/accountability and that a life-long requirement to follow up with physicians, a regular exercise program, and healthy eating. Accept it will come w/ potential challenges & imperfections (risks, side-effects, complications, challenges such as plateaus, not meeting goal, regain, possible depression, grief over the loss/safety of food/obesity may of offered/invisibility it offered although may of been unwanted at the time/the new attention you get, possible anger or anxiety w/o comfort of food as it used to be/limits it may impose, effort it requires to be healthy etc.) that these frustrations are part of the process to make you healthier see them as challenges not difficulties, positive self talk helps!. Your mindset will be the most important tool for success, as all the challenges of traditional diets/exercise plans for health will be present after WLS as well *Yup so many say I will never diet again, well let me say diets don't work *because people go off them* correct but you will have to be mindful of food and pay attention to intake and exercise for life, so in a sense your dieting for life! Even after WLS.... The surgery won't make a person change, but the beauty is YOU HAVE COMPLETE control over those changes/choices needed after surgery for success, the choices are there and the best use of the mind/psychology will harness those. Surgery is such a drastic choice that so many are successful due to a recommitment to healthy living and choices that is one reason it works and we say it is a 'rebirth'.

Changing habits pre -wls is the mindset that will keep you going, the surgery is a piece, the easiest/smallest IMHO. *It is however the milestone/landmark we set to focuses on. But truly the afterlife is the most challenging, the ever evolving challenges from things like getting in enough liquids to food introduction to vitamin taking, new ways of eating/drinking, introduction of exercise consistently to battling with the scale obsessions & disappointments as well as all the wonderful WOW moments. Have the support system needed to create the healthiest environment as well, willpower fades, the tools robust effects fades as well as the honeymoon closes...Harness your enthusiasm and mind for 6 months doing all you can to influence (not only wt loss) but the healthy lifestyle you want to adopt for maintenance, that elusive animal no one has mastered pre-wls. Exercise can become more routine after 6 months as well. Again the mind is just as/more useful than the pouch...it is the operator of the tool! Stress inevitable, so see each issue/stressful time as an opportunity to use your new tool/mindset! (Like I say use things as excuses or opportunities because holidays come and go each year as do parties, office food/celebrations, hurt feelings, sadness, losses, etc)


I know this isn't one message it is a million crammed into one right! Anyone who knows me knows I am never brief, this is my PASSION (giving back), WLS saved me from myself. It isn't easy or fair, but accepting life is imperfect just as the world we live in, embracing that imperfection and controlling what I can has helped me get thru many issues. There is no perfection, I work on that daily. So what to do about all of this babble?

Get a good journal, start writing today all the reasons you are COMMITTED to this change, what your expectations are (hopefully realistic for wt loss 50-80% of excess not an ideal body wt) and that the goals are not wt related alone, the functional ones how you can integrate into life easier, (clothes fitting, less medical co morbidities or risk of, less meds, less pain (physical/emotional) the benchmarks you are setting, take measurements and photos each month along w/ weights to document the journey. the mind is powerful but may be challenging to change so the photos/measurements help when the HUNKAMETAL doesn't register a loss. We are much more than a number on a scale, free from the numbers and see how much you are more than that as a person, your abilities etc....The journey is full of hills and valleys, some bumps and many more pleasures to see, it can be an awesome ADVENTURE!

The letter you may write/journal entry today may save you from backsliding at your first plateau or at 1 yr out, a recommitment to those thoughts, and how you have grown over time. These are the things I recommend. I think everyone else has you covered w/ the 'physical items you need'. These are the ever-elusive psychological things you need LOL!
OK if you have read this far thanks for hearing me out! I wish you well.

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). There must be a site for each state look up Doctor Profile + your state and google for a site!

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 dedicates 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? MOST insurances won't pay unless it is (I wouldn't go if it weren't!!!)
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!

Last bit of info for tonight!

WT LOSS BEFORE SURGERY/MOTIVATION/AVOIDING THE LAST SUPPER SYNDROME
In our program we are required to loose 10% of our body wt before surgery....
Loosing weight pre-op is required by many surgeons & for many reasons... and I am so happy I did!
1.. to show motivation,
2.. ability to adhere to a plan (as we will need to for life!), if you can't be mindful and able to follow restrictions pre-op how will you do it post-op?
3.. to increase your health even a modest 5-10% wt. loss is very helpful, the National Institute of health has even researched this...(hence why weigh****chers is so focused on the 10% wt loss)
4.. decreases surgical complications (by exercise and decrease wt your heart and lungs are in better shape for surgery, anesthesia and healing!)...
5.. Also psychologically it is tough going from a super-sized big Mac meal to clear liquids for 2 weeks post-op!
6.. ***MAIN ONE FOR PROTEIN SPARING or MEDIFAST DIETING***It helps shrink the liver and this eases their surgical procedure and decreases chance of nicking it....
7.. exercising before helps you continue after!
8..The more you lose pre-op the less you will have to lose post-op and the closer to an ideal body-wt you will attain!

I lost the weight by doing the food pyramid. That's it, I was eating so bad (fast food daily, large portions, consuming every high-fat/sugar thing imaginable and NOT exercising that just cutting down and walking 2 miles a day helped!

For ME, it was "no one" was going to stop me from having this operation, it was my decision and all that was asked of me was to loose 30 lbs, I figured this is a small price for such a wonderful gift I would be given and the opportunity to have a healthier happier longer life....! I was so motivated/psyched; I dropped 30 pounds in 30 days and went on to drop 15 more before surgery! (Although this took me 2 months, as it got harder and I had a few last meals, we all do but you can't let this ruin your opportunity!) I believe it is what allowed me to get to a normal BMI as well! And it is not unheard of for surgeons to postpone or cancel surgeries if one gains weight!!!

Exercise was another key; I faithfully walked 2 miles everyday..it helped that my mom went with me a lot! (a buddy is so helpful!) I followed the food pyramid given to me by clinical nutritionist Dr. Boham...I also wrote everything down (Many find www.fitday.com helpful for this) that went in my MOUTH!!! Or you can get food pyramid/bullseye version at: http://www.xenical.com/hcp/1400_Am_Beye.pdf


I also had to remind myself how BAD I wanted this! Everyday it was/had to be more important to me to change my bad habits and lose weight to have this surgery than to continue to slowly kill myself with food/keep myself from the only hope I had!. I also told everyone about my plans and they helped support me, my friends/family and coworkers! I really can't give you any more guidance than this, it really had to come from within, it was a mindset with me, and I wanted this BAD real bad and I knew it was my last resort/chance! I felt invigorated and motivated by the end results...the long-term had to outweigh the short-term gratification of eating bad choices or overeating! It was a learning opportunity for me to change my habits and practice chewing well, not drinking with meals and eating smaller portions, giving up sugar/caffeine/carbonation/alcohol (if any of those are your issues, carbonation/caffeine/alcohol weren't issues for me)!

So a few weeks/months of healthy habits to lose pre-op wt is not a lot if you frame it right! IT IS NOT FOREVER and it is about starting this journey!

Hi there.  I just "got the ball rolling" myself.  I plan on using Dr. Rosati.  Just went for the psych eval, blood work, started working with a nutritionist, and joined weigh****chers about 3 and a half weeks ago (lost 14 lbs, yay) so I can get that 10% off. I have an appt. to see the dr. about a sleep apnea study, and I will be going to Glens Falls hospitals support group-also have appts set up for the million or so other requirements. ;0)

I am so glad they have us do all these things to prepare.  I have found spending time on the boards to be very helpful as well.  Reading about what people experience on a day to day basis has really made me aware of how important being careful about everything we do before and after surgery.  It will dramatically  impact the end results. Do you know which doctor you would like to use yet?
Hope to see you around the boards!!!

And Jamiecatlady-Thanks so much for all the advice you posted.  Its priceless!