Considering Surgery - How do I get started?

I found this website recently and have been reading a lot about the surgery and surgeons, etc. in my area. I've seen numerous people mention that they went to seminars to learn about the surgery. Can anyone tell me if they know of any in Dutchess or Westchester County? Also since it's now Open Enrollment I have been looking up some of the doctors to see if they are in the plans I can choose. Right now I have Aetna USHealthcare an HMO plan. It's been very helpful to read about others experiences. I have been overweight almost 30 years now and became a Lifetime member of WW at 17 years old. I've joined and rejoined probably twenty times since then and from 2000-2001 had lost 104 pounds on their plan. However, since then I've regained 61 of them and have a total of at least 115 that I need to lose to get to goal. My husband suggested I might want to look into the surgery - he's been with me through all of these struggles. I would really like to go to a seminar if there is one in the area. Other than that I suspect I would need to go to my PCP and have him refer me to one of the surgeons. It doesn't look like there is anyone in Dutchess County so I suspect I would end up going to Westchester - which is fine by me since I grew up there anyway. Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks all. Susie

The "seminar" I attended (was actually more like a small informational meeting) was held at my surgeon's office. You should contact a surgeon and ask for information. All doctors do a different thing so once you find a few surgeons you should make appointments to see how they do WLS and which you think would be best for you. Good Luck

Susan, Hello Susan......I am still Pre-op and waiting, I can tell you that all Dr's do this different. I was able to meet with my Dr. at the 1st consult but I know others that had to go to the Dr's seminar before even seeing him/her so you should look for a surgeon in your area first.... I am in Orange county and I am going to a Dr on Long Island, Nassau county. In this area there is no Dr with experiance with Lap RNY or just RNY in general...... Just some info Susan, hoping it might help you...take care Debra Peace

I have struggled with obesity most of my adult life. I am having RNY on 11/11 and my surgeon is Dr. Cerabona who is in Valhala and does the surgery in Westchester Medical Center. They hold seminars frequently. I went to my seminar on 6/1 and had my initial consult with them, after completing some blood work and getting a letter from my PCP, on July 14. My insurance company is Aetna, and for them I had to have 6 months of Dr. overseen diet/nutrition consult so my PCP started this for me in May and I had my 6th and final one 10/8 and had a surgery date and was approved by insurance within about 1 week from then. I also had to have a 5 year history written out of weight loss attempts. I also had to have a cardio exam, a pulminary exam, blood work and a "psych" eval which was to document that I understand what I am doing. I will let you know how things are going after my surgery.

Thanks everyone for your responses. Andrea: I am going to call Dr. Cerbona's office to see when their next seminar is. Actually I did notice him on this board and it so happens that he did emergency surgery on my mother last week (nothing to do with gastric bypass) so when I saw his name I recognized it. I will be very interested to hear how your progress goes. I wish you all the best and I will keep you in my prayers that all will go well and that you will get the results you would like. Thanks again. Susie