Anyone have Michael Hodge for a surgeon ? New to board, surgery 5/18/07

Hi... my name is Lisa and this is my first post. I have a surgery date of May 18th and wondered if anyone has utilized my surgeon, Dr Michael J Hodge in Johnson City , Tn? I sorta fell upon this opportunity and I am really scared after reading about long term complications people have had with anemia, malnutrition, neurological problems and death after battles with all the above. A little about me, I tried for over a year and a half to get the surgery and after jumping through a million hoops gave up because it didnt seem to be in my future. Well, somehow after asking the last time ( in Jan) that my papers not be filed for a 4th time, they got filed 2 weeks ago and I was called after not seeing the md since Jan and informed I was approved. I didnt know how to feel, I had lost 38lbs on my own in the last 4 mths, thinking surgery was not an option. Now I am torn..... can you share your good and bad experiences ? Lisa

Lisa, I don't have any info on your surgeon, I had mine done in Nashville. I really don't know what to tell you except if you are not ready for this surgery don't do it. It is not a quick fix or the "easy way out". This is a tool to help you change your lifestyle. If you are not ready for a lifestyle change, you are not ready for this surgery. As for complications, I have had none and would do this all over again without a doubt. I feel (now all of this is just my opinion) that if you follow what your doctor tells you to, you will decrease the chances of complications. There are problems that may arise, even if you do everything right, as with any surgery, this is major surgery. I hope you get your head and heart together and use this as the tool it is meant to be. Good luck with your choice. Darlene

Everything Darlene said! If you are not sure that this surgery is what you want, don't do it. You must be prepared for the lifestyle changes that will be required post-op. I don't know what you've been reading but the facts are that the mortality rate for qualified bariatric surgeons is extremely low. Most people who have the kinds of complications you mention are either not following their surgeon's instructions or their health was already so compromised that surgery of any kind would have proven fatal. Like Darlene, I have had zero complications and I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat!