Newbie here!

Roberta, How sweet of you to offer the list & thanks for the welcome! I'm sure I will take you up on that. When you folks speak of "a group" do you mean a group of prospective surgery patients along with the group of professionals? Erin

hi erin yup!!  a whole group of new people just like you who are scared and anxious and nervous and just want this whole process to start!!  this process does not evolve overnight -- it's one hell of a roller coaster ride -- hang on for the ride of your life and just go with the flow of things and NEVER EVER get discouraged!! keep your focus :)

one thing you might wanna do is ask them if they can fax or email you all of the papers you will need to fill out when you go there because my doctor has a website and i went to his site and printed it out and fill it out prior to going to his office, saving you a ton of time

What a great idea! Thank you so much!

I am jumping in on your response to Roberta, you will meet with a group of people that will be having the surgery.  There were 10 people at my inital consultation.  Again, Roberta and I were at PA Hospital but I would imagine it will be the same.  They should have mailed you the paperwork to fill out for when you get there.  Just a tip, have the paperwork filled out, your insurance card, your referral and your co-pay.  You will be surprised or maybe not how unprepared people come or some ot the questions that will be asked.  You are going to one of the best hospitals in the country.  You will do fabulous.

Good luck to you.

 

Jeanne

I was reading everyone's responses, and they're great.  Right on target.  The only thing I want to add is  DO SOME PHOTO's.  It didn't occur to me at the time, but, now, at almost one year out, I wish I had a better way of visualizing my weight loss.  I wish I had a front view, a side shot and even a butt shot  (all with shorts and t-shirt, not nekkid!!!)    Like some obese people, i didn't have an accurate mental picture of my size, and with 100+ pounds gone, I still don't.  Photos would have been nice.  Someone on another board is really tech-savvy, and she photo shopped a photo a month for 18 months, and it was increadible to see her shrink.    (laughing)  I haven't even updated my avatar since joining, because I have to wait for my nieces with their camera know how to get home on Xmas break!        Anyway,  this is getting long....  take some pictures now,  you'll really appreciate them in a year! Mary C

hi mary we took pics of ross right away -- then i think at every month for the first couple of months -- up to 6 months maybe --but then i came along -- and we did a before shot -- and saturday will be 10 months and i don't have any more photos -- well i have regular photos now -- but not 'before & after' photos -- maybe we'll take some saturday -- and the pics are in undies -- it's amazing to see ross now!!! he's about -190lbs  roberta

I want to encourage you to investigate the ds, surgery, your surgeon probably will not discuss it, or offer it, may even speak negatively about it as their are many Miss beliefs about it, i advise you to come to the ds forum and ask about so you are in formed, I do not know of a doctor or hospital in NJ that offers it, I was referred by several doctors in NJ to NY because I cannot have the rny or lap band that is why I know about it.

Hi Walter, I think you're right.  When I was looking at it I went to NY Presbyterian.  What's wrong with this state? Laura