Hi... I'm Mike.

Yep, you at the right place! battling,  al

Welcome aboard Mike! Great group of hard ankles here with lots of info, insight and personal experiences to share - as well as some good old fashioned humor & BS!! Jump on in with both feet brother!

Welcome Mike.  You will find many great guys on this board who are always willing to help out with support or just answering questions, even the really weird questions you'd never dream of asking someone.  As a fellow Lousiana coonass myself (born and raised in Lutcher, La. but now living in Raleigh NC), I know what the indulgences of the southern food can do to you.  I was a 457 lb result of eating too much crawfish bisque and sucking down one too many Dixie beers.  I am now 6 weeks post op and down to 380.  As the other guys have said, the only regret you will have is that you have not done this sooner.  Its a life changing event and trust me, you will enjoy the ride when you move over to the losing team.  If you ever need anything, just ask.  We're all here to make the trip down Loser Street just a lil bit easier.  Take care and good luck..  Dalton

Welcome to the Locker Room from a fellow coonass!  (I may live in TX but I got papers saying I arrived in this world in Marrero.  Hell I still say "Come see.")  Learn all you can about WLS from as many sources as possible.  This website is ABUNDANT with information!  Must admit I'd be willing to risk a dumping episode to try some fried crawdads or some bignets.  I miss the food from there!

Wow!  That's some welcome wagon - almost as long as some of our Mardi Gras parades!  Thanks so much for the great responses. I'm definitely doing my research - this site has so much info.  I'm trying to get as much insight as to some of the surgeons and facilities in LA.  I've been to one seminar in Lafayette, and I'm going to another in Baton Rouge next week.  My plan is to get the surgeon that I feel is the best fit for my specific needs.  I've got an incisional hernia that needs repairing, and I recently got diagnosed with MS.  These will be major factors in my decision-making process. BTW.... I'm tramping myself out for friends - so I'm sending out requests - be warned!