Hi, I just moved to SC

Hi, I have just moved to Clinton, SC from Jackson, GA last month and I had gastic by-pass surgery Aug. 9, 2004. My husband and I moved here to work at Thornwell School and Home for Children where we work as Family Teachers. I had my surgery at Crawford Long-Emory Hospital by Dr. Edward Lin and my Bariatric doctor was Dr. Scott Lynch who I saw up until last month before my move. I have done great with a weight loss of 210 pounds since surgery and I still have about 60 pounds to go. I need to find a new doctor who is familiar with Gastric by pass and I also need a support group to attend. Someone had suggested a doctor but when I spoke to his office the nutritionist told me that what my doctor told me to do was incorrect. I was told to take 1 flinstone chewable with iron a day, 3 viactivs, 2 to 3 glasses of milk, iron supplement daily and vitamin B-12 shot once a month. He also told me that I cannot even start swallowing pills until after 1 year from surgery which is this week. This nutritionist is now telling me that I should not be taking flinstones or viactiv and that I need to use there vitamins which are liquid, calcium either in liquid or powder form. I felt like he was telling me that I had to buy their products and that they were the only things that will work. Personally I get turned off with someone who states that there products are the only ones that will help. I would like to start taking a vitamin that I can buy over the counter and swallow and I would like to start taking a calcium supplement that I can swallow also. Can you help me with this and also recommend a good doctor to visit. My phone call to this physicians office has frustrated me and I am feeling very upset and afraid and not sure who to believe any more. I am looking forward to hearing from those of you who can help me. Thanks and God Bless You. Becky Stanford Clinton, SC

Hi Becky, Welcome to SC. I don't know where Clinton is but I'm near Charleston, SC. I had my gastric bypass on 7/6/05. I take 2 flinstone vitamins now. The nutritionist I saw said that viactiv (is that the chocolate chews) wasn't good. As for not being able to take pills, I still take effexor capsules, and a huge verapamil pill for a rapid heart rate. I see Dr. Strickland in Columbia, SC (Lexington). He is awesome. I drive 2 hours one way to see him. They also have a support group that meets with about 100 patients. I don't go to that one, I go to one in Charleston, which is closer to my home. You can go to Dr. Strickland's web page to find out more. It is scobesity.com. I am very pleased with his work. If you want to talk, please feel free to call me at 843 879 0246 Hope this helps. Wendy Fowler

Welcome to South Carolina Becky!! I am a Yankee from Long Island and never going back north ! WOW - a 210 lb weight loss is F A N T A S T I C ! I live close to Wendy, in Summerville, and I also am not sure where Clinton is. Keep posting and someone will be able to help you who is closer. I also chose Dr. Strickland in Columbia. He is a great doctor. At this time and waiting for insurance approval. Good luck with your seach for a physician. We are trying to bump up the activity on this message board, so hope to see you again! Lori

Welcome to SC Becky! I live in simpsonville which is only about 30 minutes from CLinton. (Southern GReenville County) I have been very satisfied with my bariatirc surgeon and his office. Dr. Eric Bour at Bariatric Solutions in GReenville, SC. Dr. Cook actually did my surgery but he is leaving the practice next month. Dr. Bour has been doing WLS for several years and has an excellent program. Not sure who you talked to, but I know our nutritionist gave me many choices in vitamins and supplies. Yes, they have a store but I have never felt pressured to purchase from them exclusively. They have support groups and a wonderful psychologist that I just love. Congratulations on your weight loss! I hope you find a comfortable new bariatric home too! Leisa 280/186/140

WELCOME TO SC. I live just down the road in Greenwood. Dr. Bour did my surgery in Greenville. I think you would like them very much. Just give his office a call (864-240-5035) and they can tell you what you need to do. Terry G RNY/LAP 4/28/04 548/170 -378

Hey Terry, I just read your profile and wow, congrats on the super weight loss. I had my surgery last august and I have lost a total of 110 pounds. Thank you for suggesting your doctor. I am curious as to what vitamins he has recommended for you. Do you do Flinstones chewables and what kind of Calcium do you take? I do the Flinstones and I chew Viactiv for calcium which my doctor at Emory had told me I needed to do. He also told me that after my 1 year anniversary that I could start swallowing pills and I would love to start taking my vitamins and calcium by pill form. Those Flinstones get really tiring after a while and I am not sure how the kids can toleratethe taste...yuk! LOL I saw your post about Walking for Obesity and was wondering what day this will take place. I would love to do it if I am not working. My husband and I are Family Teachers at Thornwell Home and School for Children and we work 9 days on with 5 days off so it would depend on if we were off then. We felt that God was calling us to this ministry after my surgery and followed through with it. I was on Disability for 3 years before and my husband worked in Public Relations and Newspapers. Thanks for your post and may God Bless You. Becky

Hey there Becky! Welcome to SC, I hope you like it so far. I live in Charleston and the physician I see is at MUSC, and I love her. I have a friend that had his in Columbia, but I am not sure which Dr it was, I will be glad to find out for you if you would like. Just drop me an email. Sounds like you have done a great job with the weight loss, I am still a pre-oper. Good to see new people, Britt

welcome becky. i live in columbia. i do not know of doctors in your area, but it seems many here have some suggestions for you. I hope you like SC. :> Looking forward to getting to know you on the boards. Congrats again on your weight loss :>

Hi Becky, Welcome to S.C. , I am see Dr. Brynes In Charleston S.C., there is a Dr. Strickland also in Columbia area I heard he is good also. Well I had my pre op done yesterday and I am having surgery done tomorrow Sept. 14th. 6am. so I'll see you on the losing side. Oh by the way your weight lose OUTSTANDING Cheryl

WOW MS CHERYL ... THAT'S TOMORROW! CONGRATULATIONS! PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE POST INFO ON YOUR PROGRESS! GOD BLESS ... DAWN & NICK