NEWBIE HERE

HI ALL, MY NAME IS JOANN I JUST RECENTLY SAW DR GARRISON AND HE WAS VERY INSPIRING. I AM IN THE EARLY STEPS OF MAKING ALL THE MANY DR APPTS NEEDED BEFORE PRECERTIFICATION. IT'S FUNNY THAT AFTER I LEFT HIS OFFICE I STARTED CALLING THE DR'S ON THE LIST THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME AND I AM FINALLY SEEING THE FIRST DR. I GUESS IF IT TOOK THE LAST 10 YRS TO PUT ON ALL THIS WEIGHT A FEW MONTHS OF GETTING IN TO SEE THE DR WONT KILL ME.

Joann, Good for you.. Dr Garrison is a great surgeon.. you will be very pleased. What dr's are you going to see? I had Dr Garrison but I used all Dr's in Morris County. But my Endocronologist is in Roseland -Dr Mintz I absolutely love her and my Dietician is at Clara Mass.. Patty Davidson. You may want to consider them, I don't know what their time frames are for appointments. I got in rather quickly with them- I thought. I think the longest I had to wait was for the cardiologist and gastroenterologist. Good Luck for a successfull journey. Donna

today was my second appt i went to see the cardio dr - dr rubenstein and got an ekg but what sucks is that i have to get 2 more test that have to be scheduled at another time ie more office copays they really know how to stick it to you haha. i also have made my appt to see the radiologist for my gallstone ultrasound, the pulmonary- dr miller at st michaels, luckily both of those are scheduled for monday - i am currently temping so it sucks when you only get paid for what ever hours you work oh and the dietician maryann moylan @ umdnj i am scheduled for nov. 7-14-21. so i am very optimistic and i guess my only woorry in this rollercoaster is my insurace - i have oxford and just hope and pray that i wont be let down after this long process trying to get precert.

Hi Joann This site is very informative cause everyone on this site shares their experience and we are all like one big happy family. This site is my support besides my family...... I had so many test done before my insurance company approved my surgery well at least I checked in healthy from head to toe. I just wanted to let you know that maryanne Moylan was my dietician for six months and she's a sweet heart very very thorough and if u follow all her directions pertaining to your diet u will be fine when u have the surgery I'm planning on following all the rules because throwing up is not my style..... My surgeon Dr.Bale here a UMDNJ works directly with Ms.Moylan. And Maryann will know if u are following the rules cause there aim is to teach u how u are going to be eating and what u are eating when u have the surgery. So therefore u will be eating as if u had the surgery. Because Maryanne must clear u on her end and I lost 5 pounds while I was seeing her and also Dr.Bale has a support group called the staple club and we meet once a month in the evening here at UMDNJ Dr Bales office it all the people who Dr.Bale did the surgery on we have pre-op and post-op patient the next meeting is 11/9/05 and maryanne moylan will be introducing holiday meal planning it will nice if u can come since u are beginining your journey to wls. I may not be there that evening because Dr.Bale will be doing my surgery on Halloween!!!!!!!! but like you I started my journey 11/1/04 and now it's finally time for me to cross over.......last week the meeting was about the importance of excercising so the physical therapist was on hand for that...I'm glad I picked UMDNJ to have my surgery Dr.Bale she's wonderful and the secretary Theresa sets up all your appointments and she also calls your insurance first to see what's required in order to get approved. and when u finish all your required testing then she sends your file to your insurance and then u wait for answer I was finished with all my required test on 8/18/05 she submitted it to my insurance and I was apporved 9/29/05. The thing I like about Dr.Bale is that u don't have to go out to get different things done she has a Bariatric practice and have the dietician and physical therapist even the psychiatric they all work together....... so good luck on your journey and hopefully u will have a good journey to your WLS

hi joann a little set back my pcp tell me they cannot find the provider id that maryann gave me ive been trying to call her and all i get is vcemail- but any ways tomorrow i am getting the echo and something else done a bit nervous

Joann, Welcome to the "Obesity Help" message board family. You're taking the first steps toward making a very important decision. I had thought about this WLS for many years before making the decision to do it. This decision was not made hastily...I did my homework. I researched the surgery, the doctors, the statistics etc. I did a great deal of praying, and read profiles of others that had the surgery before me...I even read the memorial page for those that passed. This is a very personal decision and only you can decide if it is right for you. For me, like many others, it was a last resort. I had tried every diet on this planet and made up some on my own, to only lose 20 and then gain 40. I had my surgery on May 17, 2005, with Dr. Alexander Abkin of Florham Park, N. J. I was told about Dr. Abkin from many folks who had surgery with him..everyone that I spoke to sang his praises. I then went to the orientation meeting in July, 2004 and he won me over immediately. I made my initial appointments that evening and thus the journey began. There were times on this journey that I experienced a range of emotions, up and down. On the day of my surgery, due to Dr. Abkins compassionate care, honesty and his skills and experience, I was at peace, with my family around me I honestly was at peace.. Joann, I guess my message here is that you seem to be doing all that you can do to began your journey. Although there are ups and downs in emotions, ultimately...I was more scared not to have the surgery than to have it...since death is not a stranger to obesity. Good luck Joann, keep on keeping on, read this message board, ask questions and then take what you need and leave the rest. If at any time you would like to email me please feel free to do so. Remember that the longest journey begins with a single step. Fran P. (In Jersey)

Joann, Welcome to the NJ forum and congratulations on taking the first few steps. You will find that time will fly. I hope all goes well with you and you are soon on your way to a healthier life. Good Luck and keep us informed! Jean

Welcome Joann! Best of luck to you as you begin your journey! Both my husband and I have had this life saving/changing surgery 6 months apart from each other. Continue to do your research, ask questions, and be as informed as possible. This is not a quick fix - or the easy way out. It is a new (and can be wonderful) change in the way you will live your life, both in your relationship with food, and the new more energetic healthier you that will emerge! Good luck to you! Sherri

Hiya Sheryl, I just had to tell you how great you and your husband look! I enjoyed looking at your profile, it was wild to see the difference in you both. Congrats on your weight loss......keep it up! Lorraine