ima newbie

Hello all. I am new to this process. I have been reading the posts on this site for a month or so now and have learned a lot.
I have my appt set for all the exams and have gone to an informational meeting and a group meeting at Lehigh Valley Hospital.
I have heard both Dr. Harrison and Dr. Boorse speak.  I kind of like Dr. Boorse's style and straight forward approach to the whole new you. I think I need his "push" to help me get going.
I am going with the RNY. At 1st I thought I'd go with the lap band but....in the end with all my health issues RNY is the better option for me. 
Has anyone had either of these Drs and can you give me any helpful hints? I do think LVH is lacking in the info and support areas though. But then again I am new to this so I may just be expecting too much.
Also I'd like to hear from those of you with physical disabilities that have gone through this process. I know a lot of my issues are with the lack of exercise due to my disabilities. I have always been big but since I became disabled I have ballooned. I also eat out of boredom. I can go the entire day without eating but after dinner all bets are off. I eat because it is there. 

Thank You
Sue

Hi Sue! Welcome aboard! I don't know too much personally about the Dr's at LVH but the hospital itself is fantastic. I have also heard nothing but good reports about Dr Boorse & Harrison. Many Dr's don't offer great support and that is where we Please feel free to ask any questions anytime of us! At least one of us will have been there done that and are happy to share what we know.

I'm not too far from you, I'm just south of Easton.

Good luck on your journey - it's an awesome one!

Liz

Welcome to the group, Sue, and congratulations on making such a momentous decision.  If you're looking for "push" and support, I can share that that's exactly why I chose Barix and Dr. Pupkova - I needed the discipline, structure, and to feel that the program was comprehensive and really well documented.  I'm certainly not speaking against either of the doctors you mentioned, as I don't know them, but am very enthusiastic about the level of support I've gotten from Dr. P and the entire staff of Barix.  Just a thought. 

You'll also find great support here and in the LV area via in person meetings - it's up to you to build the support network that works for you, in finding the mix of online/in-person support that you  need.

Welcome and we'll do everything we can to support you on your journey!

karen

Hi Sue.. I had my surgery at Westfield so I can't be of much assistance with the program at LVH.  BUT, Dr. Boorse did some pancreatic surgery on my father about 14 years ago and he was very happy with those results.  I have heard lots of good things about both Drs. Harrison and Boorse.  I'm sure you are in good hands.

Welcome aboard and ask any questions.. I'm in Whitehall, by the way.

Lisa,

I know a great nurse at that facility. My ins co only covers LVH.

Thank all of you for welcoming me to the forum. I am up for this journey. I feel it is looooong over due. I waitied until I was more comfortable that all the kinks were worked out of the procedure and it was less risky. I am guessing that if all goes well I'll be on that losers bench by June.

I quit smoking 4 years ago last Novemebr 17th so I am used to being called a quitter. lol! Now I will be honored to be a loser as well.

This forum is so informative. I truely feel like I know some of you on here just by reading your posts.  You are not afraid to talk about ANY topic even the TMI's.  That is so great.

Welcome to the group!  I, like Liz, am around the Easton area (actually IN easton, forks township)

Anyway - I'm an ER nurse @ LVH.  Dr. Boorse has a GREAT reputation for ALL of his surgeries, he's quite well liked in the ER.

I didn't go through LVH program as at the time of my surgery I lived in NJ and chose the Barix option for many of the same reasons Karen did.

I happen to think the care at LVH (at least at the Cedar Crest Site) is phenomenal - although there are good and bad stories with EVERY hospital depending on the condition, the patient, the staff...and ten million other factors.

As far as the eating at night thing goes..."because it's there" the further out from surgery you are - the easier it is for that to happen.  I for one firmly believe that the HARDEST part of the surgery is the "head game" you have to get over yourself with.  I'm 2 1/2 years out and still struggle (If you've been reading the board, you probably saw my getting back on track post which basically sums all that up)

Good luck!  Feel free to ask any questions! 

Oh - and the disability thing - if  you don't mind me asking, what kind of disability?  That will determine greatly about the response.  Exercise in some format will be key.  And there are low impact things like water aerobics and stuff.

I haven't attended one, but I do know that LVH has a monthly support group meeting - so there is a source of support for you.  Plus places like here on the boards as Liz mentioned. 

Pam

I do not mind sharing the disability info at all. I was in an industrail accident and messed up my back and neck pretty good with almost 1/3 of my discs (12) being either herniated or bulging. 6 lower back, 4 middle back and 2 neck. 

Also suffered a closed head brain injury that left me with having seizures. I have absent seizures in the daytime and grandmall during sleep. Not every day or night about 1 or 2 times a week. And memory problems have been another sign of the brain injury.

With all of this combined I am not able to walk far but I do force myself to do so. I have very little sensation in my legs so I have to use a crutch (supposed to use 2 but only foir long distance walking)for stability assistance. I have nerve damage from the discs and have restless leg syndrome from that. 

I do try to force myself to walk some every day when the weather permits. I also continue to do stretching exercises that I learned from many years of pt. I can not do a treadmill or bike. I have done pt in the water and that seems to help. I thought of joining the Y for their aquatics classes.

Thank You
Sue

I have been through the Lehigh Valley program and had my RNY surgery with Dr. Boorse.  My wife also had the RNY surgery with Dr. Boorse.  I would highly recommend him and/or Dr. Harrison to you.  I saw Harrison when I had a problem afterwards with some bleeding and was quite happy with him too. 

When I initially considered this surgery, I looked into the program at Easton Hospital with Dr. Koren.  The nurse in charge was wonderful, but I felt like I was not prepared at all and had no more information than when I started.  I went to LVH a few years later and found the experience to be completely different.  I felt that there are many avenues of support (nutritional, mental health, exercise, etc...) built into the pre-surgery program.  Also, as a post-surgery patient, I feel I have the same amount of access to those resources now that I am over a year out. 

Hope this helps....

Eric

I had my surgery with Dr Harrison, really like him. I also went through 6 month presurgery program that Lehigh Valley Hospital makes you complete before having surgery in their hospital It was very good, very informative. They have a 3 and 6 month program depending on insurance I only had to do 3 but glad I opted for 6 month program.It was $415 out of pocket.. I started on lap band but after doing the program and following posts here I decided for RNY. Dr Harrison was very supportive and wanted me to make the decision I thought was best for me. Any questions you have I would be happy to answer, I am somewhat of a newbie as well. I was very happy with the staff of the hospital!!!!!!P lease feel free to ask me any questions.