Hello Indy!

Hello Indianapolis..... I am having my WLS in 13 days and a wakeup. Yippe yea! I am thrilled as all get out and soooooo excited that I could shout from the rooftop but I am sure my neighbors won't be very happy.   We (DH) are making a career move to Indy    later this year so although I briefly considered having the surgery after moving I have a most wonderful surgeon here and know that now is the time for me. My questions is has anyone utilized the services of Dr Steven Clark. He is a bariatric surgeon in Indy/Greenwood. I will need to continue to see a doc when we get there and I don't want to wait till the last minute. We are Tricare so if anyone has a good Tricare PCM I appreciate any suggestions.  I look forward to moving to Indy and keeping in touch with what I hope  is new WLS friends. Antonette

Antonette, Welcome to OH and to the IN board!  I didn't have Dr. Clark but there are several on here who did..which, I'm sure they'll comment sometime today. We just love the Indy surgeons we have here in Indy. I haven't seen a comment on here yet to where someone complained about their surgeon. Now...hospitals on the other hand...that's where the real differences are. I've never been to St. Francis (I think that's where Dr. Clark goes through...am I right guys???). Of those that Bill (dh), myself, or our kids have been to (trust me, that's most of them I think...lol), St. Vincent (on 136th) is my absolute favorite and they have a bariatric wing that is top notch. Of course, which side of town you're moving to may help in that decision as well (along with who will accept your insurance). We are a pretty friendly group up here and try to stay fairly active on the board. We also get together for different activities. ~3-4 months, we get together for a clothing exchange & carry-in; annually, there's a hot tub & tea party, a Christmas ornament exchange party, and starting this year, our for camp-out (Hope & her hubby has a KOA north of Indy). You're welcome to attend to any of them. We love having new folks! As you go through your weight loss journey, I'm sure questions, etc will pop up. Feel free to hop on here and ask/express them. We're a pretty helpful group. Well..we try anyway..haha. Sherri

Hi Sherri.. Thanks for the info. It sounds like you enjoy you your life and you look good. You have done so well with your weight loss. I am inspired and encouraged.  Especially with everything you have been through. You are a WLS heroine. I am already doing my PS research. I hate waiting to the last minute and it takes me a long time to make important decisions. Ha Ha...that's funny,...it takes me a long time to decide what I want to eat when we go out.....that's just me. We will probably move somewhere north south or east of 465 since so I believe anything within 20 miles of Indianapolis is great.  A good physician is worth the travel. It sounds like I am going to like my new Indy friends, you guys have fun. Thanks for the invites, we will definitley take you up on that when we get there! I have been unable to do much of anything without being in pain and taking lots of Tylenol to go to sleep....but that is coming to an end in 12 days and a wake up!     Thank you so so much for your support! Antonette

Welcome Antonette! I think you will like Indianapolis. I live in Terre Haute, Indiana, about 70 miles to the west, but I love to visit Indy. I don't know about Dr. Clark, other than seeing his name on here. I've never heard anyone complain about him, I can say that. My surgeon was Dr. Margaret Inman, and I think she's wonderful, myself. I had my surgery at St. Vincent Carmel. (Carmel is just north of Indy.)  Linda Vicory

Hi Linda....thanks! Congratulations on your loss you look marvelous!  It sound like you are doing some things that you always wanted to do and that is super! Horse back riding has to be one of my all time things that I wished that I could do since I was a kid. Maybe that dream will come true in the next year. Have fun! I know that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel to a healthier and happier, not to mention active life! I am going to like Indy! Thanks for the info! Antonette

Antonette,  I have lost 95 pounds since surgery, and I am so glad I did it. I am loving the riding lessons, and buying smaller clothes, and not being on so many medications. It's been worth it for me. I hope you find it to be the same way.  Linda Vicory

You have the right to do your happy dance. 95 lbs you earned it! What a major accomplishment!  I am right behind you taking up the rear, or better yet getting rid of the rear... Antonette

HELOOOOOOO Antonette, I'm a patient of Dr Clark. He is absolutely wonderful. But like Sherri said in her post the main difference with most of the surgeons and surgeries here in Indy are in which facilities they are done in and not necessarily the surgeons themselves. Dr Clark works with the St Francis Hospital program, as well as having his own office, and also serving Community North and South Hospitals. I had surgery at the St Francis hospital via their program. I really didn't have any problems and thought the experience was relatively decent. I have however, heard complaints from the North and South Community Hospitals. However, if you are seeing him at his own office then you'll have nothing to worry about. Dr Clark is great and he is really down to earth and very caring. His assistant Julie is pretty awesome as well. About the only problem I've ever had within his own office is getting return phone calls for setting up appointments for upper GI's or xrays via his office manager Amy. She's usually a very busy person and sometimes it takes her some time to get back to you. Therefore, because I'm impatient (hahah), I stick with apppointments made via the St Francis program. But as for Dr Clark himself, he rocks. I hope your move goes well. Good Luck with your surgery too.

Hi Jo...thanks for the info on Dr Clark. Being the wife of a spouse in the Army we get use to moving around and delaing with finding new everything so this will be another curve in the journey.

I definitely understand about being patient. I plan to be a loser, thank you for your support. Antonette

Welcome Antonette!

I relocated to Indy last May.  I was 6 months out from my WLS and leaving Arizona and my doctor was a bit stressful.  Through Floyd's diligence and thoughtfulness he told me about OH, and the Clarian support Group he and Brenda discovered.  I know there are a lot of surgeons in Indy and all of us think our's are the best.  I know I am so glad to have found Dr Mattar.  (Thanks Floyd!) You wouldn't be coming from a DFAS would you?  Welcome to Indy.  Julie