Very new to all of this!

I just wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone.  Im new to the site and new to this whole WLS thing in general...but definitely NOT new to being a big girl!  My name is Ashley and I'm 28.  I just recently was at the doctor and was asked if I would ever consider weight loss surgery.  My BMI is 51and although I have been pretty healthy in the past, I do worry about the future.  I have a 3 year old and a 10 month old so I'm all about making sure I'm healthy enough to be here for them.  Sooo...I'm here checking things out, deciding if this is right for me, and even which surgery would be right for me.  If anyone has words of wisdom...I am open to any advice! 

Ashley      Welcome to the boards and your early start of teh journey into WLS surgery. This board is a great source of knowledge and support. Awesome people here that can answer almost anything you may need an answer to.    Is there a surgery you are leaning towards? I am 8 weeks out from having a Lap RNY at Barix in Langhorne.  Good luck and look forward to getting to know you!

My first instinct is to choose RNY but I still have a lot of learning to do!

welcome and you have found an awesome group of people.  Lucky you you are within 1 hr of one of the best surgeons in PA. Well I am biased but Dr Brader is now at Lancaster General with an awesome team. I drove all the way from Lancaster to Langhorne pa to have him do my surgery. Read our profiles, ask questions and good luck on your journey

Welcome to the PA Boards Ashley! We've all been in your shoes - newbies to the boards - wondering what to do - asking questions - reading everything we can. I also had lap RNY surgery -mine was at Barix in Langhorne. I did see Dr Brader speak at the Pennsylvania Pilgrimage in Lancaster and must say was very impressed with him. It also sounded like Lancaster General is going to be opening a huge wing or facility just for weight loss surgery patients. There are some great books out there to check out and read - I have one called The Doctor's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery that someone gave me before I had my surgery and I loved it. If you'd like me to send it to you I'd be more than happy to - just PM me with your address and I'll drop it in the mail. Or you can look for it on Amazon or some place like that - the author(s) are: Louis Flancbaum, MD, Erica Manfred and Deborah Biskin. Best of luck to you whatever your decision is. Whatever you do please make sure your surgeon is skilled in the procedure you choose, and that the facilities are set-up for people like us who need larger gowns, chairs, beds, etc., and nurses who are very experienced with WLS. Kathy

Hello and Welcome, I also have two small children 4 and 7 years old and have been heavy all my life. I had the lap RNY in January and it was the best decision I made for my self. I am 4 month post op and my only regret is that I did not do it sooner. I have lost 60 pounds 4 months post op and still have 40 more to go. This is the only thing selfish thing I have ever done for me so don't let other people influence whatever decision you have to make for yourself.  Do your research but the Barix clinics in Langhorn is awesome. Dr Pupkova is so good there she is patient and will answer all your question over and over again. Do everything possible to research this procedure before you jump in. Good Luck you will do great whatever your decide.

Welcome Ashley, I have 2 kids also and I am doing the surgery so I can be around for their kids and to keep up with them today. This is a great board, lots of friendly people, and great advice from people who have / are in your shoes. abby

Hey Ashley!  Welcome to the boards.  We are a VERY VERY active group here on the pa forum. I am 27 - had surgery in October of 2007 when I was 26.  I was 5'3" and 235 at my high weight - day of surgery thanks to a pre op liquid diet had me at 219.  I'm an ER nurse and had trouble working my shifts - I would come home looking like a cripple.  Now, after my shift, I have enough energy left to go to the gym and work out, and then do things around the house.  I had lap rny. I highly suggest doing what you said you are - learning.  There is a huge amount of knowledge out there (and a lot of it on this board)  We have newbies to people 3+ years out.  It's one big family here. Please ask any questions you may have and don't be afraid to jump in on any of our conversations. Welcome! Pam

Hi Ashley, I'm jumping on the welcome wagon, as you can see some of us on here hail from New Jersey, as our board, while peopled with nice folks, is no where near as active as this board is and the people here all started where you are now, full of questions and wanting to know what the best procedure, place to have it done, etc., so do your research through the boards and whatever other means possible.   The procedure you chose is a personal choice that only you can make and what it involves is educating yourself and a commitment to whatever that procedure calls for, for instance, RNY means commiting to a lifetime of taking vitamin supplements, as well as making the right food choices and some form of regular exercise.  I spent almost 2 years doing research, as well as years of watching 5 family members who had had the procedures done and seeing how they fared, with the exception of one, all have successfully lost and maintained their weightloss and 3 of them are over 4 years out and all say it is the best thing they could have done for themselves. You can do a lot of research on surgeons right here, if you look to the left of this screen there is a tab that says Find a Bariatric Surgeon, check out any surgeon your are considering to do your procedure, once you decide whether or not you want to go the WLS way, it does not hurt to educate yourself even before you decide, so poke around the site and find out how to get the information you need, also find out what requirements your insurance company has, some require a 6 month diet program, monitored by your doctor's office, so the sooner you get that information the sooner you can begin the process. I wish you well as you seek out a solution to living a healthier life! Laureen

The Barix Clinic in Langhorne, PA holds free seminars and/or consultations.  At these seminars/consultations, you will hear a surgeon talk about RNY and Lap Band.  I am having RNY Gastric Bypass done by Dr. Brian Boe in Langhorne.  I made my decision on RNY because I need a more of a restrictive tool.