Undecided

Hi All, I'm new to the board. I've been reading the posts for a couple of days and reading everything I can get my hands on about WLS. This website has been a big help and your posts are very encouraging. I'm still undecided about whether to have the surgery or not but I'm at least taking the steps to see if my insurance will cover it and trying to determine the best doctor to use. I've read some great things about Dr. Hamon in White Plains. Has anyone worked with him or know someone who has? I guess my question for the group is this: what do you think is the one thing I should know about WLS before making a decision? This might even be something you wish someone had told you before you had the surgery. Don't worry, I won't get discouraged if you share some negative aspect of the surgery. Better to be informed. Thank you! Carol

HI Carol , Welcome to the board. You know I worried and worried about the surgery when I was counting down the days, but everything went really well. The worse thing about the surgery for me was having the drain pulled out. YUCK!!! I am only 5 weeks out and my energy level has tripled!!! It is hard sometimes because you miss the foods you used to love, but I sure don't miss the 51 lbs I have lost already. Just make sure your surgeon has done plenty of this type of surgery and find out what you can about the surgeon. Bedside manner, staffs attitude, things like that. It all helps if everyone is pleasant to deal with. Hope this helps. Stormy 346/295/151

What a great weight loss in just five weeks! Congratulations! Thanks for the advice. Finding a doctor is going to be the hardest part. After I posted last night I was reading posts by "Insurers" and found someone who has the same insurance I have so I checked out her doctor (Dr. Singh in Albany). This doctor requires that you lose 10% of your weight before the surgery. Is this common? Although the posts by his patients indicated their frustration over his policies (he also postpones a surgery date if he thinks you're not ready), all of them felt that his policies helped them to be more successful. Thanks!

Carol Im not familar with the Dr, just wanted to wish you the best in whatever choice you make !! I personally have not ONE Regret.....not one single one, I researched for almost 2 years before my big day, I really knew what to expect....I even knew I would have hanging skin, hair loss, almost all the bad things, I knew about before hand nothing so far as come as a surprise. I guess the one thing I would tell you, ITS FOR LIFE, its not like you can ever go back..............and honestly......I would never want to. Good Luck with your choices that lay ahead for you. Brenny

Thanks, Brenny. The message board has helped me to learn some of these things--I would have never thought of hair loss! Your confidence in your decision is very encouraging. I have an appointment with my PCP today (for unrelated purpose) and I'm going to get his reaction. I have a feeling that he's going to say he doesn't approve of it just because he tends to be very conservative. If so, I may need to find another PCP if I decide to go ahead with the surgery. Thanks for the post. Have a great day! Carol

Carol, Hun I just wanted to say welcome to the board and this is the right place to be for learning and getting awsesome support, these people here are great and become part of your extended family.....my AMOS family... Take your time and read, learn and then make your choice. We will be here for you with whatever you might need, thought I can not offer advice right now as I am still pre-op for 3 more days.... I wish you the best in what every you deside, please keep up posted...~hugs~ and WELCOME.... Debra P

Thanks so much! The anticipation of the big day must be so hard! I'll keep you in my prayers. I'm looking forward to hearing from you afterward.

Hi Carol and Welcome to the board and to your extend family.... It can be a tough decision to make to have WLS or not.....Well the truth is noboby can tell to what to do it is all up to you.....but you are in the right place for imformation....please read profiles and read proflies and read profiles.... I had a choice to make did I want to die traped in the skin I was in and leave me children with out a mother, or do something about it I found this board and learned so much here by reading profiles and all the information that is available here... I researched for about 2 years had friends who had surgery....and when I finally made the decision to have surgery, boy was that a journey by it self....I am 38 years old and had heart problems due to the increase in my weight....I was 346lbs when I had surgery on Jan 31, 2005, since then I have lost 100lbs and feel like I can achive more in my life and do more, I am more active in my life and my childrens lifes.... But you should know that I was denied, denied and denied before I was approved....so never give up the good fight for WLS...it has helped so many people... My pcp was dead against WLS so I had to find a pcp who was WLS friendly....which was not easy...but I finally did find one... I have no regrets at all not one not even the thought of it....I am very happy with where I am going with my new too ( that is what it is a tool) for you to use......I have went from a 26 to a 14/16 and like the person I see in the mirror now.....as before I was very depressed about everyting in my life....no more I am happy and putting me first and my needs..... So I hope this helped any questions you might have please post them we will come running.....I wish you the best in your decision to have WLS or not we are still going to be here for you.... So please read, read read those profiles and get all teh info you are looking for..... Christine

I got my first good news--I saw my PCP today and he said he would make the referral if I decide to move forward. I was so nervous that he would say no and I'd be looking for a new PCP. I'm now checking into Dr. Singh at Albany Med and have read good things. One of the things he requires is the patient lose 10% of their weight before surgery. I've lost 10 pounds this month so hopefully if I meet with him I'll only have to lose another 15 pounds. No one who doesn't have weight problems understands my fear that even though I've lost 10 pounds on my own that eventually I will end up putting it back on and more. I tired of the yo-yo. WLS seems to be a tool to make this happen. Thanks for your great post! Carol

Hi Carol! Welcome to the NY Message Boards! Glad you made it to the site because there really is a lot of information, experience and support here. The decision to have the surgery is a very personal one and it's good that you are taking your time, doing your research, asking for references and weighing the pros and cons before you make your decision. All the best to you - whichever you choose. You asked about Dr. Hamon and a friend of mine is actually having a consultation with him today! I've heard good things about him and here is a link to his page here on obesityhelp.com http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+William+Homan+ctc.html Renee H. 387/243/-145 lbs.