Ellis Hospital?

Hi, I'm signed up for the orientation on Dec. 10th at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. I know there are several doctors there performing the surgery. How do you get assigned a doctor? How do I get information about the doctors performing the surgery. I'm really excited about this and I'm hoping that I don't have a long weight before surgery. I've gone to support groups before and have a friend who had her surgery almost 3 years ago. She's kept her weight off and looks great. I've got lots of health issues and really need to get rid of the weight.

hey!  congrats on starting your journey!

this is how it worked for me through ellis --

after orientation they contact you to set up an appointment.  they ask which doctor you want.  (i told them whoever was available first, i didn't have a preference).  they set up all your appointments depending on what you need - they will help you with all that i think. i didn't have comorbidities, i was just super fat. 
they want you to lose 10% before surgery - you need to see what your insurance requires as well, but these docs do require it even if your insurance does not.  they set you up to succeed though.  they will set up a medifast (shakes) plan for you depending on your need.  do what they say and you will def be successful.

hope that helps!

Thank you, Beckstar. It does help. I've actually done some of my stuff at Albany Med but I really got lost in other surgeries I needed to have and quit trying. And the old dog seems to know all the old tricks we made it try to lose weight and it doesn't want to give up the gravy train. I've got a stress fracture of my left foot and I've decided I can't keep on like this. I talked to a gal at the Orthopaedic Surgeon's the other day and she told me about Ellis Hospital's program. I look at this fracture as the Fates stepping in to take control and get me back into losing weight. This time for good. I need to start going back to support group meetings.

there's a support group tonight at the McClellan campus.  7pm.  Run by the social worker.  Feel free to come join if you can!  i'm off to the gym then i'll be the sweaty one at the meeting :)
good luck!

I would have gone but my folks came back from being away for 2 months. As my sister said, "The parties over". LOL

I'll have to try for the next one. Would that be on Dec. 3rd? I've got to break it to my folks what I'm planning. I didn't tell them the last time I was trying to lose my weight to have the surgery and I think that sabatoged me. I think it would help if they were onboard with this. From comments they made about my girlfriend's having had the surgery, I'm afraid they won't approve of it and give me a lot of flack over my decision. But I've decided to look at it this way... At my advanced age, they don't get to approve of what I do or don't do. Just like my getting a tattoo. My Dad said he'd kick my butt if I got one. LOL... yeah right Dad, WRONG thing to say... They don't have to ever see the tat... but they'd know about the surgery.

Hi! 

Alot depends on your insurance but if they will work with you - set up all your appointments, except for psych eval... they give you a couple to choose from and you make that phone call.

I saw Beckstar last night and she is doing great... She had her surgery one month ahead of me.  I am also doing very well.

Dr. Clarke did my surgery. When asked which Doctor I preferred... I really didn't know... but since I had briefly chatted with Dr. Clarke at an info session last Jan that was held at Belleview- I felt comfortable with him doing the surgery.

Dr. Panemanglore actually did the orientation session that I attended at Ellis. He is very pleasant and I'm sure I would have been happy with him also.  He was on the Saturday that I was to be sent home from hospital and removed my JP drain.

Dr. Ingram... recently did surgery on my friend's adult son. He liked her until she had to read him the riot act... (because HE wasn't following directions... eating wrong things... drinking while eating, etc etc) So ... he brought that on HIMSELF. I haven't had any direct contact with her... but this guy's MOM is happy that Dr. Ingram laid down the law with him.... apparently he didn't think I knew anything about the rules...

So which ever you choose I'm sure you'd be pleased.
Everyone in the office is very nice and extremely helpful.

It takes about a week after the orientation for the office to call you to set up your first appointment... after that much depends on your insurance.

Hope this helps!

Thank yo JEllen,

That helps a lot. I'v got my friend near Boston also giving me the rules too. LOL No soda, no drinkng while eating,etc. But we have to learn the new way of life and that isn't a bad thing at all. Hopefully my insurance will work with me.

I see my GP Monday to get the letter I need for the Orientation. She suggested the sugery a few months ago and was surprised when I said I was already thinking about having it done and had done some of the process already.

I've had my psych eval already. I know I'll need new blood work done and whatever else they ask for at Ellis. I'm ready to do whatever I have to to have the surgery as soon as possible. I've already told my boss about it and she's supportive.

Other things that are possibly needed depending on your co-morbidities.... sleep study to check for sleep apnea, cardiologist- for stress test and other. Ultrasounds to check gallbladder.

possibly a colonscopy! ( I didn't have to go that root... lol)

all the other stuff I had to do though. I felt like i was applying for a job at NASA! Everything was very thorough.

Found out I have Sleep Apnea which is why i was waking up with headaches most mornings now haven't had but 3 or 4 since July!
Hope to get off the CPAP once my weight is lower.

sounds like you have an excellent mind set for this process.... so hang in there jump through the hoops and you'll find yourself on the loser's bench in no time at all....

Best Wishes!