inquiring about gastric bypass surgery done in duluth mn

HI
I am new to this forum and I am curious in having the procedure done in duluth mn. I am from Ontario, so if anyone from ontario has had this procedure done,  could I ask you some questions in regards to the procedure?

I'm not from Ontario but I can answer any questions you may have.  I am nine years postop.

I am from Duluth maybe I can help answer some questions you my have.

I guess my first question is are you glad you did it? I am going to an information session in sept/09 to see if this is really what i want .  I know that I want to loose weight and that I have tried numerous diets from weigh****cher, atkins, herbal life, etc, and have lost some weight but regain it, once I cheat even a little, I have a friend you lost 100lbs with herbal life so I thought that was for me but I only lost 30lbs and 10lb have come back.
I guess another question I have is did you feel safe having the surgery? Any complications following it? any regrets? I guess it is the unknown for me. along with the fear even with this procedure will I gain weight back?

I am still waiting to have surgery my next step is to meet with the surgeon on the 21st. I thought it was on the 7 Th I was so disappointed. I have done a ton of research and still not sure of the surgery for me. I think the Lap Band,  I will know for sure then I meet with Dr Pitt on the 21st. Are you a smoker? They require you to be smoke free for 10-12 weeks.  A psychological evaluation several visits with a dietitian and some people need follow up after they have their psych eval. I think and hope I will not regain anything, this is my last resort. What is your BMI if you don't mind me asking. Mine is 37 with lots of new heath issues. SMDC is a great place to have surgery I don't have any concerns with that at all. Hope this helps. Please keep in touch.
Sharon

Hi Sharon

My BMI was 35.7 but I have gained some weight and now about what you are 37 and as well I was just started on meds for high blood pressure. I also have severe GERD and have had my esophagus dilated three times. I don't smoke but my husband smokes and I wonder if that would affect in anyway? I know a few people from here that are waiting to have it done this month, so I am kinda watching how she goes through it. She did  tell me of the evalution and for Canadians it costs about $400. My appointment to see the doctor in TBay who sends the referrals to duluth and submits the request for ohip approval is in March so I thought once a hear the info session in Sept. and research it until March I may have a better idea of it . A co worker of mine had the lap band in toronto but it cost  her $15,000. and she has lost about 50lb over the last 3 years, I don't know if she has been really watching what she was eating though,
I understand one of the md's is leaving the clinic moving away so some of the surgeries maybe pushed back, I believe his name started with a M.
thank you for answering my questions hope to speak with you again
marlene

I don't think your husbands smoking will effect your surgery it is more about people who smoke don't heal as fast as non smokers. Can you get started with any of your visits in your area to save you some time and $? Dr Medlin is gone to Seattle (I think Seattle) what a huge loss for the program. I have chosen Dr Pitt to do mine. What type of surgery are your friends having? And what are you looking at? The band is a slow losing process, but I think people tend to keep it off if they lose it slower and it is reversible. Lots of risk factors with all of them. My thoughts are" the surgery/wt loss is as good as the patient is". Please keep in touch.  
Sharon

Hi Marlene,

I am from Thunder Bay also, and I am hoping to have surgery in Duluth.  I know that sometimes it can take a long time for approval and stuff like that, but after reading some posts here, I am hoping that it will only be a few months between seeing the surgeon in ThBay and having the surgery in Duluth.  Probably wishful thinking, and I may end up being disappointed if I get my hopes up...but that is my wish anyway.

I go to see Dr. Wyant in September 09 and I guess we'll see what he says then.  Currently my BMI is about 46.5 and I also have sleep apnea, adult onset asthma, and hypothyroidism.  So hopefully I will qualify for OHIP coverage and things can get started.  I am so anxious to have this done.

I am sorry that I have no answers for you as, like you, I am still waiting for the first appt with the surgeon.  You had mentioned that you are going to an information session in September.  May I ask, where is it, how did you find out about it, can I register for it and is there a cost for it?

Hopefully I will hear from you soon.
Take care.

Hi

I heard about the free sessions from a friend who just had the procedure done, from what I understand is you can go to the session at St. Mary's hosp. in Duluth they have monthly sessions,you have to book a spot to attend, then you can speak to a nurse and a dietician on the same day, I also know that you have to take a pysc. test and that can be done here in town. Apparently the dietician costs 40.00 us. funds.  That's all I know but if you know more please let me know.

Marljb

Hello Marlen,

Please let me know if you would be interested to get your surgery done overseas.
The surgeon has many international distinctions and more than 15 years of experience.
You will get your surgery done for much less than the price in North America.


Best Regards,