Questions/Elmira/Arnot Ogden

Hi, Is anyone here from the Elmira area that has had the WLS? Is there a group or seminars to attend to find out more? Mostly I want to know if it's worth it. You hear horror stories about people getting really sick and/or depressed. Would you have the WLS again? Do you feel better? I need to lose 140lbs. I'm 36 and I feel like garbage most of the time. Tired, sore, out of breath, etc. I don't know anyone who has had the surgery, so I thought I'd ask here. Please reply. Thanks.

Hi Christine, I live in Marathon and had my surgery in Ithaca at Cayuaga Medical Center with Dr. Mecenas on May 18, 2004. There are many surgeons in our area including Elmira, Binghamton, Ithaca and Syracuse. I know that there is a support group in Binghamton, Ithaca and Syracuse but not sure about Elmira. I choose Dr. Mecenas because he does the gastric by-pass either open or lap. Both the surgeons in Elmira the last I knew only did open. As for would I do WLS again, In a heartbeat!!! Check out my profile and if you go to Dr. Mecenas' page you can see my friend Michelle's(she had it done in November) we are both really happy that we did this. I feel great and have more energy than I have ever had. I started my process at 243lbs, size 24 tight, and as of today I weigh in at 121, size 4. You can email me anytime if you would like and I can answer any other questions you may have. Teri

Christine Hi! Welcome. I am from the Elmira area. I have not had surgery yet, but should be scheduled for mid-July. Go to Dr. McKane's Patient Forum and read the profiles. Arnot Ogden is a fantastic hospital. What surgeon are you seeing? We do have a WLS support group meeting every month. The next meeting is June 6th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Arnot Ogden. Please come and join us. Our group has over 50 members and we have a good time. I have learned a lot by attending the meeting. The post-op people love to answer questions from those who are investigating WLS and the pre-ops. I have not talked to anyone who has regretted having this surgery. Read the profiles of people on this message board. I do not think you will find one *****grets having WLS If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Brenda

Thank you, Brenda! I live in Owego and am looking for more info on the surgery. I'm going to call my regular doctor and talk to her first about a referral....I know that she refers people to Arnot Ogden in Elmira. I was talking to another woman here who had hers done in Ithaca. Ithaca is even closer to me. I'm excited to hear that it's being done around here. I may come to your group! Thank you!

Christine I don't know how far Elmira or Ithaca is from Owego, but I do know that it only takes me about 35 minutes to get to Johnson City and I actually live in Horseheads. Dr. McKane is wonderful - very straight forward about the whole procedure. He doesn't pull any punches. I hope to see you at the meeting. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Brenda

Hi Christine, I havent had surgery yet, but I am a patient of Dr. Mckane. My sister and I attended last months support meeting at Arnot Ogden, and it was interesting. There was alot of interesting information going around, but I dont remember any horror stories.( If there were, there couldnt have been too many to scare me!) Everyone was VERY nice! We drove from outside of Binghamton, but it was worth the drive... One of my close friends had surgery with Dr. Mckane last year and everything went great. I wouldn't consider any other doctor. My friend had only great things to say about the whole thing and wouldn't change a thing. I know, because I have asked her! Email me, and maybe we will see you there in June! Bonnie

Hi Christine I live in Horseheads and I have had the durgery in March. There is not a day that goes by that I have regreted anything!! I am down about 45 pounds and feeling great! I had Dr Cole as my surgeon and Dr Mckane as his assistant. Everything was textbook they said. I have been to the meeting at the Arnot and its wonderful! There is so much support there. What is nice about it is that there are people there at all stages of the process...pre-ops, post-ops, ones considering the surgery, supporters, and even ones that are years out. I know that it was a huge help for me. My mom went with me and she was totally against me having it done, but at the meeting she was asking so many questions, not questions about me, but questions regarding HER having the surgery...lol. If you wanna talk anymore, please feel free to email me. Tara

Hey Christine! I just at my surgery Thursday at Arnot Ogden Medical Center. I have to say that they are the nicest bunch of people. I didn't have one problem with anything or anyone. The nurses are there for bariatric patients only and they know what they are doing. They were the greatest. Any more questions, just email me. PS I do have a list of seminars. I would need time to dig it out. I jave not gone to them, I usually go to the ones at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City.

Thank you all for your responses. It sounds like there is a seminar in JC at Wilson. That's even closer than Ithaca or Elmira. 20 minutes, max. I'm going to call. I'll keep reading your boards and asking questions as they arise. Thanks again for your replies.