Beginning the Journey

Hello All My name is Hope and Ilive in Charlotte NC. I am beginning my journey to permanent weight loss. I have been away form this site for a while. I just went to a seminar at Presbyterian Hospital but currently they only perform the Gastric bypass. That is scaring the heck out of me and I am also looking into the lap band but I also have concerns about that. I will be going to another seminar on Decmeber 27th with CMC Mercy Bariatic Center. They perform the Gastric bypass and the Lap band. I have one more to look into after that. Southeast Bariatrics in Charlotte. So Right now I am shopping around. I have united health care choice. They told me that the cover the gastric bypass and non vertical banding if my MD deemed it a medical necessity. Does any one out there that can give me advice share experiences and show me the ropes. I am afraid to have the surgery but I am also afraid not to. I appreciate any input, advice, criticisms. Thank you for your time and to all of you on OH Happy Holidays and God Bless!!

Hello Hope! Welcome! I am in the beginning stages of my journey as well, but I've decided to go with the RNY (hopefully lap!!). I too am scared at the thought of the surgery but I think most everyone is - you wouldn't be normal if you weren't afraid of such a drastic undertaking!!! My insurance is Medcost and according to the rep I spoke with on the phone, my plan does cover bariatric surgery if it is medically neccessary. I have already had a visit with my PCP and he wrote me a great letter to send in with my packet detailing my medical history and the "neccessity" of the surgery for me. I hope it helps!! I am hoping to have Dr. "Fuzz" Fernandez at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem do my surgery. I first chose him because of his close proximity to my home (I live in Thomasville) but once I attended his informational class/seminar, I really felt like I had made the best choice for me. He is young but very knowledgeable and thorough. I felt very comfortable with him and his VERY structured program. I am hoping to get my first consult scheduled as soon as possible after the first of the year. I am not a patient person so I hope this whole process goes as quickly as possible! I guess my only advice would be to research, research, research!!! You will know what surgery is right for you the more you learn about each type. Please keep posting here - sometimes this board is not really busy and it is good to see new people posting. We have to be there for one another!!! Sorry this is so long!! I tend to get carried away sometimes! Again, welcome, and happy holidays to you and your family!! Donna

Thanks Donna, I hope that with the seminars that I will be attending I will get a lot of information. I also plan on attending support groups for both the RNY and Lap band to get feedback from each group. I will keep you posted as events progress. Good Luck, God Bless and have a Happy Holiday. Hope

I am in the Charlotte are too. I live in Monroe. I would love to talk to you more, as it is past midnight though, I am heading to bed. I will make a point to come back here tomorrow and post to you about my experience so far. You can also read my profile. I would like to help in anyway I can. Talk to you tomorrow! Kristi

Morning Hope! I think it is a wonderful idea to go to several support meetings before deciding on a center. I chose the Presbyterian center for bariatric surgery. They are doctors Lowe and Melkonian and I'm sure a few more. They have a nutritionalist and a very active support group. My decision based on the level of care the center offered and by several friends recommendations. I have 2 very good friends at church that both had surgery with Dr. Melkonian. They say he is a spiritual man and a Christian, that was important to me as well. I am away though that they do not do the lap band procedure. Dr. Lowe said in one of the support meetings that the reason they didn't do it was because it is not as effective for weight loss, that the band could actually rot inside the patient (after about 10 years), and that he just didn't believe lap banding was nessessary anymore with the advances made with RNY. Now that was just his opinion, I know several people here have gotton the bands and are perfectly happy with it. I was okay with his assesment because I was never interested in banding anyway. I was a little wierded out about something foreign being stuck inside me. But that's just me. I hope you find one that you are comfortable with and a procedure you like. I just wanted to tell you about my experience so far with Presby. I'm am pretty much done with the process. All the paperwork is at the surgeons office and they will take it to my insurence company. I hope to hear something soon. Again, good luck to you and if you ever need to talk or vent or whatever, feel free to look me up on here. Merry Christmas! Kristi

Thank Kristi for your input. I found that Dr. Voillenger has joined the group at Presbyterian hospital. I went to a seminar there on December 18, 2006. Dr. Melkoian spoke and also Dr. Lowe and neither of them seem to be to excited about the lap band due to the average amount of weight loss of 40% in the American trials. In the Australian trials it seems to be 45-55% average weight loss according to some clinical studies that I have read so far. Dr. Voillenger was not at this particular seminar but they did tell us he has his own practice which is Southeast Bariatrics. I plan to attend the Lap Band seminar there at the end of January. They also have a Support group for bansters on January 8, 2007. Yes, I have that same concern about something foreign being inside of me and the durability and life span of the band in 10-20 years + down the line. I am also having issue with my inside being changed around and with the RNY gaining the weight back due to the new pouch expanding over the years. I guess both procedures has its up and down sides. But I am just starting out and I know I must take some actions regarding my health. For me just diet and exercise just won't due. I have tried for so many years to lose on my own and have lost but it seems to all come back and then some. If you are a praying person pray for me as I will for you as we take the journey to better health and self esteem.

I have heard wonderful things about Dr. V. I also hear southeast bariatrics had a small 'shop' right there in the office. You can get your vitimins and protiens there. WHat a great place to get exactly what you need but right from the doctor. I was in GNC the other day and boy I tell you what, they have more protein stuff than you can count. It all looks the same to me. I know the basics, but I'm no doctor. Let me know how it goes on the 8th, I hope you find the answers you are looking for. I hear you... it really does feel good to take your health 'by the horns' and do something positive to change it. It's quite empowering really. Don't know if I spelled that right. heehee Yes I am a praying person and I will add your name to my bible and my prayer journal. God has had His hand in my journey all the way through so far and I know He will be there for you as well. Holly Gololly!! Kristi

I'm in Concord and have chosen Dr. Roc Bauman here. I went to my first seminar a couple of years ago and this fall did my initial consult with him. I'm finishing up the preop requirements on consults, labs, etc., etc., etc.! I really like him -- he's blunt and to the point, and his nutritionist is as well. I got the impression both a couple of years ago and recently that he is not pro-lap band, however he does perform that procedure. I'm going to have an RNY with Fobi pouch. He performs his surgeries at Northeast Medical here in Concord. Their brand new bariatric unit will open January 2 and I've heard that it is gorgeous but haven't seen it yet. I can't wait!

Thanks for the info. I am also going to look at Dr. Bauman. But it seems that all of his seminars are on evenings that I work. So I am going to take time off to go to one of them. I am also looking into the fobi pouch as well. It seems that there is a lot of information out there but I will continue to pray for guidence for the best WLS for me. Take care and Happy Holidays!