If anyone cares to help.

Hey, My name is Michelle. Most people who i talk to on this site dont take me seriously due to the fact that im only 16 years old. Well i felt as if i needed to post something here to get a little help from the people who are willing. Im in st augustine. Just moved here from New york. My mother and I have been talking about this for the past 6 months, maybe some more. Both of us are suppose to start off good here in fl. My mother is going to get her treatment ( for cancer ) and i am going to get myself healthy! The only problem is , neither of us are too sure about what step to take next. I have been talking to a doctor who is more than willing to do the surgery for me. I do not want to take up much of his time so i never asked him. I have BCBS and it figures that they would stop doing that as of 1/1/05. I have little time and i need as much help as i can get. I know i have to see my physician but honestly everything else im not 100% sure about. If any one has had wls and can walk me through this please reply. Feel free to Email me , or IM me. Thanks Email : [email protected] Screen name : MikexnxShell

hay.... im 18... so i kinda know what you mean.... welcome to florida... i have a good dr down south... im not sure if your willing to travel... but i will do my best i can to help you... us young girls need to stick together!!!

Michelle, If you have a doctor who is willing to do the surgery, you should not feel bad about taking up his time with your questions at all. Have you had your first consultation with the doctor? or have you attended an info session? A lot of your questions get answered there, but we all continue to think of more up until your surgery date. At your first meeting, most doctors will give you an info packet to fill out and tell you what testing you need to complete and discuss the procedure and risks involved. The office staff usually can answer the administrative questions for you with just a phone call after your appointment if you leave overwhelmed like I did. What are some of your concerns or questions? We'll try to help on here too.

Michelle, I'm in Daytona also. I have Florida Health Care, but the info session is for everyone. THere was a session last night at Halifax Hospital with a support group meeting right after. We have a great team at East Coast Bariatrics. Your first step should be your doctor, then I highly recommend, no... insist (nudge,nudge) you attend an info session. They are the the second Thursday of every month at the Oncology center at Halifax Hospital at 6 pm. There is a support group immediately following at 7ish. You will learn so much there, exactly which steps you need to take and when you should take them. Dr. Black is the surgeon and you meet with the nutritionist, the psychiatrist, the internist, the surgeon and the insurance coordinator. Please, please, after speaking with your doctor, go to the next meeting!! You will be happy you did. I've been to two info sessions and 3 support meetings! Good luck to you and really.... these info sessions are the best at answering your questions. Kathy in Port Orange~

Thank you all for responding!!! Kathy i will look into that info session. I just moved from port orange last week. Im in st augustine now. I have to get to my doctor and start moving on this and then i will probably attend one of those info sessions you were talking about. Thanks so much!! - Michelle