I had my surgery scheduled with Dr. Bandak in Charleston for May 24th, and then I got a call today that said Dr. Bandak has "left the practice and no one knows where he went." I am highly disappointed. I was sooo looking forward to this surgery, and now I'm back to step one, not even having a consultation. I made my initial appointment with him in January, that's how long it took me to get an appointment, now I'm probably looking at not getting another one until fall. I guess my question is does anyone else know of any qualified plastic surgeons in my area (beckley area)? I have a very busy schedule (two jobs and full time college) and it would be difficult for me, living by myself and all, to travel long distances to have consultations and the surgery.

Great. Right now the hospital I'm working at wants to check into helping me by providing this support group as one of our community offered groups. They can advertise and do "all the stuff community relations does". If they do that's great, and if not, that's okay too. As an employee I still have the benefits of using our facility and several of my co-workers will help out. Keep checking on this forum. As soon as I find if there are enough of "us" out there that would be interested, I'll provide exact times, dates, locations. Donna

Hey Donna, Heck yeah! I'm in Parsons about 45 min from you. I would so come to the support group meetings. I have a friend here who also had RNY. She is a nurse at DM. I will check with her too. Michelle

No problem. There are enough people out there who have had the surgery, awaiting surgery, or interested in the surgery that would benefit from a support group. Best wishes. :-)

My surgery was in November 2005 and I'm starting to have the same problems. I'm considering starting a support group in Buckhannon and asking a dietician friend of mine to work with me. You and I both need some support, more education, and some ideas from other patients who have, or are, dealing with this.