New Here, seriously considering surgery
I'm thinking of RNY...but still really exploring all the options. It's all very confusing (the different types of surgery).
The lady i called today said they will send me a packet of information about a week before the session, so i'm hoping that will be the information you are talking about that needs to be filled out. Now that I've made the decision to explore the option of Gastric Bypass i jsut want to consult the doctor and move forward, but i also realize i don't want to rush. So i'll keep doing my research and maybe attend a support group meeting until the session next month.
One of my biggest concerns coming into the winter is the fact that the weather could very well affect getting up there/back. But we'll just wait and see what happens. :)
The lady i called today said they will send me a packet of information about a week before the session, so i'm hoping that will be the information you are talking about that needs to be filled out. Now that I've made the decision to explore the option of Gastric Bypass i jsut want to consult the doctor and move forward, but i also realize i don't want to rush. So i'll keep doing my research and maybe attend a support group meeting until the session next month.
One of my biggest concerns coming into the winter is the fact that the weather could very well affect getting up there/back. But we'll just wait and see what happens. :)
Hi Sarah! Welcome!
as to your question about information session to surgery timeline.
Just to give you an idea. I went to an Info session Jan 21st, 2009- picked up a bunch of paperwork. Then I had to go to an orientation session (had to wait till April 16 for that.) Which I was bummed out about...
However, since i had my packet from Jan session- I submitted all that prep stuff and got a phone call the next week for my 1st appt. That appt was May 21. THAT DAY they gave me my surgery DATE!
JULY 23!
So... now I am 11 weeks post -op!
Part of the reason that it went so quickly was my INSURANCE.
When the scheduler saw what insurance my husband has- she was happy because people get approved easily. She had been doing battle with insurance companies all week and was glad to get a break with mine!
So make sure you look into your insurance and see what they cover and ask for assistance from the doctor's office if your first attempt at approval is denied. It happens. But don't obsess about that- just know that it does happen to many folks and it can be dealt with!
I am down 90lbs from my highest weight. ( I did lose quite a bit of that pre-op)
I had been THINKING about it for a long time & doing research seriously once I attended the info session. It isn't easy but it was a good choice for me. Glad I had it done. I'm feeling so much better already. which ever surgical option you choose- I hope you have good success!
as to your question about information session to surgery timeline.
Just to give you an idea. I went to an Info session Jan 21st, 2009- picked up a bunch of paperwork. Then I had to go to an orientation session (had to wait till April 16 for that.) Which I was bummed out about...
However, since i had my packet from Jan session- I submitted all that prep stuff and got a phone call the next week for my 1st appt. That appt was May 21. THAT DAY they gave me my surgery DATE!
JULY 23!
So... now I am 11 weeks post -op!
Part of the reason that it went so quickly was my INSURANCE.
When the scheduler saw what insurance my husband has- she was happy because people get approved easily. She had been doing battle with insurance companies all week and was glad to get a break with mine!
So make sure you look into your insurance and see what they cover and ask for assistance from the doctor's office if your first attempt at approval is denied. It happens. But don't obsess about that- just know that it does happen to many folks and it can be dealt with!
I am down 90lbs from my highest weight. ( I did lose quite a bit of that pre-op)
I had been THINKING about it for a long time & doing research seriously once I attended the info session. It isn't easy but it was a good choice for me. Glad I had it done. I'm feeling so much better already. which ever surgical option you choose- I hope you have good success!
Hi Sarah,
I am also from Watertown area. My husband and I are both having RNY surgery. I am scheduled for February in Utica. He is hoping for a December surgery in Syracuse. We are going to different surgeons and hospitals because he started first and once I asked around and did some research I thought Utica would suit me better. Hopefully we will be able to support each other on this journey. Have you been to the Watertown support group yet? I went in June but have had a conflict each month thereafter. I hope to go this Wednesday.
I am also from Watertown area. My husband and I are both having RNY surgery. I am scheduled for February in Utica. He is hoping for a December surgery in Syracuse. We are going to different surgeons and hospitals because he started first and once I asked around and did some research I thought Utica would suit me better. Hopefully we will be able to support each other on this journey. Have you been to the Watertown support group yet? I went in June but have had a conflict each month thereafter. I hope to go this Wednesday.
Hi Cathy,
No i havn't been to any support group meetings yet, what time is it on Weds? And where?
I am going Nov 10th to the information session in Saranac Lake for Dr. Hill, it sounds like they really have a great program there and it's not any further of a drive for me than Syracause and Utica doesn't accept my insurance. My friend went to Utica and really loved Dr. F. I'm still seeking my research but i'm more and more convinced WLS is for me.
I look forward to hearing how it goes for you :-)
No i havn't been to any support group meetings yet, what time is it on Weds? And where?
I am going Nov 10th to the information session in Saranac Lake for Dr. Hill, it sounds like they really have a great program there and it's not any further of a drive for me than Syracause and Utica doesn't accept my insurance. My friend went to Utica and really loved Dr. F. I'm still seeking my research but i'm more and more convinced WLS is for me.
I look forward to hearing how it goes for you :-)
Hi Sarah,
I believe the Watertown support group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at Samaritan Keep Home at 7 pm in the Turner Room. I also considered Saranac Lake but decided that with my health history I wanted to be at a larger hospital in case of complications. One woman at the June support group I attended had Dr. Hill and was very pleased. The Utica doctor does not participate with our insurance either so I will have to pay part of it out of pocket but the hospital does participate. I am a worrier so after researching I decided I would worry less at Utica. The Watertown support group has people going to various doctors and hospitals and at various stages of the process. I thought it was useful. I plan to go on Wednesday. Hopefully I have the right Wednesday written down. I have been reading as much as I can about this surgery and believe I am making the right decision. My weight has reached 300 pounds and I am sure it will get worse if I don't do something. I have regained weight over and over after losing as much as 90 pounds in the past. Hopefully this tool will work and I won't be one of the rare people to have dire consequences.
I believe the Watertown support group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at Samaritan Keep Home at 7 pm in the Turner Room. I also considered Saranac Lake but decided that with my health history I wanted to be at a larger hospital in case of complications. One woman at the June support group I attended had Dr. Hill and was very pleased. The Utica doctor does not participate with our insurance either so I will have to pay part of it out of pocket but the hospital does participate. I am a worrier so after researching I decided I would worry less at Utica. The Watertown support group has people going to various doctors and hospitals and at various stages of the process. I thought it was useful. I plan to go on Wednesday. Hopefully I have the right Wednesday written down. I have been reading as much as I can about this surgery and believe I am making the right decision. My weight has reached 300 pounds and I am sure it will get worse if I don't do something. I have regained weight over and over after losing as much as 90 pounds in the past. Hopefully this tool will work and I won't be one of the rare people to have dire consequences.
Hi Sarah - Welcome to OH!!! 
You've certainly found the right place to get information from the people who've been there! I'm in Canandaigau, and am scheduled to have the Duodenal Switch (DS) with Dr. O'Malley on Dec 15th. I started my journey by attending one of his seminars in June, so it is about a six month process. I know how hard it is to wait - once you've made the decision to have WLS, you want it NOW!!!
One of the good things for me about waiting, was that it gave me lots of time to research the different options. I started out being very enthusiastic about the RNY gastric bypass, but as I researched further, I discovered that the only WLS one can take NSAIDs (advil, ibuprofin, aleve, etc.) with, is the DS. Since I have arthritis and spinal stenosis (which probabaly won't go away with weight loss), I was very concerned about being told I couldn't take any of those with the RNY or band. A lot of surgeons don't do the DS, or if they do, they don't advocate for it because it's typically a more involved and time consuming surgery for them. But after reading more about it, I am 1000% sure it's the right option for me! The DS statistically has the highest % of weight loss, and the highest % of maintenance of weight loss (over a fifteen year period, based on the latest research). You can read about the DS at www.dsfacts.com , www.livingthedslife.com, www.duodenalswitch.com and of course, the DS surgical forum here at OH.
Good luck on your journey, and I hope to see you around on the boards!
Laura
You've certainly found the right place to get information from the people who've been there! I'm in Canandaigau, and am scheduled to have the Duodenal Switch (DS) with Dr. O'Malley on Dec 15th. I started my journey by attending one of his seminars in June, so it is about a six month process. I know how hard it is to wait - once you've made the decision to have WLS, you want it NOW!!! One of the good things for me about waiting, was that it gave me lots of time to research the different options. I started out being very enthusiastic about the RNY gastric bypass, but as I researched further, I discovered that the only WLS one can take NSAIDs (advil, ibuprofin, aleve, etc.) with, is the DS. Since I have arthritis and spinal stenosis (which probabaly won't go away with weight loss), I was very concerned about being told I couldn't take any of those with the RNY or band. A lot of surgeons don't do the DS, or if they do, they don't advocate for it because it's typically a more involved and time consuming surgery for them. But after reading more about it, I am 1000% sure it's the right option for me! The DS statistically has the highest % of weight loss, and the highest % of maintenance of weight loss (over a fifteen year period, based on the latest research). You can read about the DS at www.dsfacts.com , www.livingthedslife.com, www.duodenalswitch.com and of course, the DS surgical forum here at OH.
Good luck on your journey, and I hope to see you around on the boards!
Laura
Yeah, it was definitely a deal breaker for me on the RNY and Band, and I was really bummed about it until I found the DS. Now I think it was a real blessing in disguise, because in comparing all three options, if I had known about the DS in the first place, I would have picked it anyway! So I feel really lucky to have had that issue come up that led me to the DS! Good luck with your research and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Take care!
Most Active
Recent Topics
