just a new face..

hey everyone,

i'm fairly new to this site, and i'm still trying to figure out how things work and such.. haha! i've been researching the gastric bypass surgery, and was referred to dr. pohl. i've yet to make my first appointment, but i will be going to the seminar he holds with dr. giovanni this month. it'd be nice to make some friends who are going through the same things, or have already been through them. i must admit, this is the most nerve wracking experience of my life! so feel free to stop by my page. :)

becki

Becki:

One thing I've learned here is that there are a LOT of cheerleaders waiting to give you all the support you need during your journey.  You should soak up all the information you can read here.  Also, check out the other boards on OH.  I know the lapband board is great.  I've never visited the bypass board, but it can't hurt to troll through.  There are a lot of bypass people here, so I've certain you can get a lot of info from them.  Although, right now it seems like everyone's on vacation! 

 As soon as you go to the seminar, you will receive a packet with all of the appointments you need to have done.  My advice to you is to schedule your appointment with Dr. Pohl as soon as you go to the seminar and start making some of your appointments. There will be a list in your packet.  Come to some of the meetings too.  They are very helpful and the people are great! I went to the May seminar, 2008 and my surgery was October 28, 2008.  Good luck with your decision.

Hi Becki,  welcome to the site.  I will be having my bypass surgery, Feb 24th.  I have Dr. Giovanni as my surgeon.  Yes, this will be a very nerve wracking journey.  Trying to get all the appointments in and all.  But it will get done and all you have to do is be patient.  Dr. Pohl and Dr. Giovanni are both excellent surgeons.  You can pick either one and not go wrong.  I tried to check out the bypass message board for RI and it brought me here.  So, I don't think there is a separate forum for us.  But I prefer it that way.  WLS is WLS regardless if its the band or the bypass.  We still have alot in common and you learn so much from everyone.  Good luck on everything and hope to hear from you soon!
Eldy

Becki/Eldy:

Here is the link for the OH RNY board:  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/

thank you so much for all of the help, advice, and kind words! this place is really growing on me. i can't wait to get home and check it. everyone's so nice! makes me happy that they have something like this going. :)

Hi, I had my surgery done on 1/20. Generally, Dr. Pohl will have you get an EGD& gallblader ultrasound (which can be arranged by calling Roger Williams), you'll need a letter from your primary care doctor or specialist that will indicate all the medical reasons that you need the surgery, a psych eval at RI Hospital, an appointment with a nutritionist (I saw Heather Gagliardi in East Providence - i think the number is 490-0900), and any other tests that the doctor may require such as sleep apnea test, cardiologist appointment, etc.  The psych appointment takes an entire day. The other tests are short. You will need someone to drive you home from the EGD.

After the seminar, Dr. Pohl/Giovanni will tell you specifically what you need to get done. When you complete all the appts, call the office. They will have the doctor review the file for completeness and contact you back with a second appointment.  Assuming your insurance company approves everything, you should be all set and be scheduled for PAT testing and your surgery. There are 14 days in between PAT and surgery.

Hi Becki!

Welcome to the OH site! This is a great place to get information! I'll be sending you a PM with another way to get info.

Glad you're here!

Jules