Looking for Answers
Hi! I was told about this site by a lady I work with and I'm so thankful for the resource. I had been contemplating WLS for the last 5 years and have finally made my decision to persue it like I've persued a plate of fried chicken LOL! Through research on this site I've decided to have Dr. Houston perform the surgery at Centennial. I go for the seminar on Feb. 6th. I've been watching the messageboards on a regular basis and you all do address some questions/concerns I've had. But, I have a few that I don't yet have answers for.
I would like to have your feedback from anyone who has had Dr. Houston and had it done at Centennial. I would like to know what your personal experiences were with both the doctor and the hospital. I would also like to know if anyone smoked prior to the surgery and if there was a requiremnt to stop before having it. Also, if there were diet restrictions before surgery what was the expectation?
I have heard that to have laproscopic you have to be below a certain weight. Have you all found that to be true? I've heard it is 350 or less to have it but was anyone above that and still had it done that way? I was also wondering what kind of realistic recovery time I may be looking at to have it done laproscopic. I have an office job that only requires sitting for long periods of time and no physical labor. I was hoping that 2 weeks off work would be sufficient. But, I'm trying to plan ahead to ensure I have enough paid time off.
Also, I have BCBS of NY (Excellus) and 100% coverage. I've already spoken to them and they have stated they only requirement is a letter of medical necessity and of course a psych evaluation. They are telling me no one has been denied for this surgery as of yet and I do work with several people who've had the WLS surgery and are telling me that they had no problems getting approved. If anyone has the same coverage, I wanted to know what your experience has been. And, overall how long did it take for you to get approval and was that with comorbidities. I know that my BMI would meet the criteria and I do have sleep apnea (not medically documented, only people telling me I stop breathing when I sleep), PCOS (polycystic ovarium syndrome), back and knee pain and a history of high blood pressure though it is currently under control.
How long after surgery before you could go to the gym and/ or excercise? How long after your surgery was approved before you were scheduled to have surgery? How long was the surgery and how many days in the hospital? Also, if any of you had PCOS and has the surgery I would love to speak to you personally about a few questions I have.
I know this a lot to ask and I apologize for it being so lengthy. Thanks for your time! Have a blessed day!
One love,
Chandra
I had my surgery on November 13, 2006 with Dr Houston at Cent...he is a very straight forward to the point....he is very good at what he does and he knows his stuff.....as for the hospital....i had a wonderful experience....all the nurses were so nice.....you will have to get up and walk the nite of surgery and everyday.....i was only out of work for a week but if you can take two i would.....you will have to stop smoking before the surgery....and as for the diet he only requires a liquid diet 2 day prior to surgery....on how long after approval i got lucky and was schuduled for the next month....i had a good experience with Dr Houston and would reccomend (sp?) him to anyone.....Good Luck with everything 
I had my Lap-RNY done by Dr. Houston and I really love him. He doesn't sugar coat anything. He tells you what he expects from you and he means it. He is serious about what he does but he really cares. Holly one of his nurses is so great. Everyone in the office (dietician, exercise trainer,lab) are great, they treat you so nice and they all care about how you progress. Centennial hospital is also great, all of the staff treated me great, the hospital is set up for bariatric patients (large gowns, wide seats, etc). You will walk alot but you feel better each time you do. I was at 420 and was still able to have the lap procedure done. Dr. houston will try to do it if he can , because it is better for you. if you have questions, call the office, all of the staff are great. Kathy Hunderford is a great help. I did smoke and was asked to not smoke for two weeks before my surgery because it would cut the possibility of me getting pneumonia by 70 %. I hope I have helped you. If you have any other questions just ask me.
Darlene Hughes
I love Dr. Houston. He is a wonderful doctor. But one warning... if you don't follow the guidelines, he wll surely tell you... whether you like it or not. He is a facts kind of guy... not chit chatty while he is looking at your records. As one lady put it, he did not have a great bedside manner because he didn't say a whole lot. But... he kept me alive. I'm alive, and smaller than I was in October, so I would say the surgery was a huge success!
I was at Centennial. Most of the nurses are wonderful. I only had one that didn't do much for me, and I felt like I was interfering with her social life at the nurses station, but she was nice... just didn't come around a lot. Mack, the male nurse on third shift, is the only one whose name I remember. He is great... funny... and there are nurses I see their pictures in my head and am grateful for their care but no names with their faces.
I love Dr. Houston's office staff. Holly, Andrea and Cheryl are great. It is like a family and you will have to sometimes lean on them a lot. I had a stricture after surgery. My stomach's hole into my intestines was too small and I did not get nutrition for eight and a half weeks. It is a very common risk but I was admitted and had a central line through which they fed me for six days. I didn't realize how sick I was. I thought that all of the symptoms were normal. After the scope and dilation, things went down fine. I'm able to eat and doing well.
I dont know about your insurance. Good luck though in your endeavor and I know you will like Dr. Houston.
I had an open RNY with Dr.Houston on Dec. 11. Please go to my profile and read my reviews of both Dr. Houston and the hospital. I had good and bad experiences at Centennial but the good outweighs the bad. Only good to say about Dr. Houston.
Since I had open and some complications, I spent five nights in the hospital. I have only been able to do much walking in the last two weeks and can begin weights this week. Most people are able to have laparoscopic surgery even at larger weights so you will probably be able to. I had to have open due to a very serious previous surgery on my stomach that resulted in a lot of scar tissue and other complications.
I was a smoker for 16 years before my surgery. I was asked to stop 8-6 weeks prior to surgery to decrease the risk of pneumonia and to speed healing. I stopped 8 weeks before cold turkey and have not started back and don't plan on ever starting again. My healing took a lot of time, I am still in a small amount of pain even now, so I can't even imagine what it would have been like without stopping. As for diet, I was asked to do a 48 hour clear liquid diet prior to surgery. Doc asked me to lose a couple of pounds before surgery but I was not weighed the day of surgery.
My best friend is going to the Feb. 6 seminar and I am going with her if all goes as planned so maybe I will see you there.
Oh, I also was diagnosed with PCOS two years ago. Even so, the chances of conceiving are increased so much after this surgery that I was told to use birth control for no less than one year after surgery. Feel free to email me by clicking contact below my posting.
Good luck!
I have Pcos and am about to have my surgery tomorrow. So if you have any questions just shoot anI will help you in any way that I can. I have found that the most kind hearted helpful people are on this message board and I am not sur ehow I could have made it through this journey without them. Good Luck
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