Jennifer, I am not sure where State Center is, but I live up in the NE corner in a town called Decorah.  I have been contemplating RNY for over 5 years, decided to get the ball rolling, and now I am waiting for a surgery date.  I already have the approval through insurance, so.... I am going through Gundersen-Lutheran which does the RNY procedure both open and Laparoscopic.  I am going for the Laparoscopic approach.  I guess i never looked into the LapBand, but those who have had it seem to be happy, althougth I cannot lend any "weight" to that. Everyone I have met has had Dr. Kotahri out of Gundersen and I have not heard of anyone having the Hypoglycemia issues; however there are people on the forums there that are experiencing it and it is very real.  I have another appointment with my dietician on friday and I plan to ask a lot about that issue and will decide if I really want to go through with this.  My gut tells me I will, but I definately need some kind of reassurance. I agree with the post prior to this one that you need to explore all avenues and approaches to WLS, as RNY may not be the one for you.  I still am not sure if it is going to be the one for me, but I will do some more looking into things before I actually go through with it. I feel all the ways that you do, and most of us waiting or those who have had the surgery do or have also.  My husband keeps telling me it is not how I look but what's inside.  My response to him is...then why haven't you touched me in months.  Why won't I get in the water when we take our boat out, why won't I ride my bike, or take family pictures?  Who wants to look at "this" and be remindedof it everyday.  No one understands but the person actually experiencing those feelings.  They are all very real, and only you can find your way out of those feelings. Good Luck to you and keep us posted.   Katy

Hello, my name is Jennifer. I was turned on to this site by a co-worker who had wls a few years ago. I live in state center, iowa.  I am really thinking about doing htis but i have no idea where to start. My co-worker said she saw Dr. Glas**** in Cedar Falls. I would appreciate not having to go this far.  Could anyone give me advice on finding a doctor, what do do.....anything you can provide!!! I have PCOS, I was diagnosed September 11, 2001. I will never forget that day for many reasons. I did not have my first period till I was 22. I have pretty much gained weight all my life. I have never been thin. However I now weigh about 330-350, somewhere in there, I am 30 years old I have accepted the fact i may never have children, but i refuse to live my life like this. My health is getting worse and worse. My legs and ankles swell so bad I can barely move. My back hurts if I stand without support for more than 5 minutes. My face is always broke out, I have to shave areas of my body that only men should worry about, my face my chest, you name it on a daily basis.  I have tried everything to lose weight the only thing that worked was pukeing everything I ate. I have counted calories for 4 eyars I very rearely get more than 1900 calories a day. which is more than someone on a diet should get, but my point is I have never been an over eater.  I know it sounds like I am using PCOS as a scapegoat, but it is like moving mountains to lose 5lbs.  Anyway, I need help! I want to live my life, I want to look in a mirror again. I want to ride rollercoasters. I want to make love without wanting to kill myself the whole time because I feel like I am a terrible disappointment to my husband.  Sorry, got a little carried away. at least you know a little about me. Please let me know where to start.  thanks, Jenn