Hello from a CT/RI Newbie!

Hi Everyone!  Today is my first day in the forum and I am so glad to be here! I am looking forward to getting to know some of you.  I am so grateful that this site is here.  No one knows better what a struggle being overweight is, other than someone else who lives it.  My sister Krista has been part of this forum and told me there is a lot of support here! My name is Kathy and I am 40 (UGH lol) and from CT (RI line) and am from RI originally.  My support system is based in RI, so I decided to have Dr. Deiter Pohl do my surgery.  I have battled with my weight since I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 14.  I have finally decided that it is time for me to take control and have my first consult with Dr. Pohl on 5/22/08. I am terrified, excited, nauseous, happy........just a big bunch of emotions - it changes from minute to minute!  I am leaning more towards having a RNY, but havent totally ruled out a LapBand. I have had about half of my testing done - still need the psych consult (THAT should be interesting  LMAO), nutrition consult and endoscopy.  So far so good...  I also have insurance pre-approval which I am grateful for as I see that it is difficult for some of you.   Did or does anyone have problems with anesthesia?  I get so sick from it, no matter what drugs they give me.  That is one of the biggest fears I have - that I will vomit so much that I un-do what the doc has done or it will take me longer to recover.  I had to stay in the hospital for 3 days when I had my gallbladder out - it should have been a one day stay. Another big concern is the skin thing...........I would love to hear from some of you with your experiences.  My belly is the biggest part of me and I am afraid that I will be walking on the skin after the weight loss  LOL  Thank you all for being here - it means so much to know that I am not alone in my fears, concerns and hopefully, success!   Kathy     

Hi Kathy and welcome! Dr Pohl is great you will love him!  Good luck on your decision between RNY and the Band.  I do have some sagging skin, but it really isn't bad.  I have about 20 lbs left and if this is a saggy as I get - I am not worrying about it.  You are not alone!!! 

Hi Danielle! Thanks for the welcome.  My sister and 2 friends had WLS with Dr. Pohl and they all loved him and are doing so well.  How long have u had the band?  I see you have lost quite a bit!  WOO HOO for u!  :o) I love your WL ticker!  How do I get one and have it appear here? I have heard different things regarding the sagging.  I am not vain, by far, but am concerned that the skin will intefere if it doesnt shrink some.  I have a PCOS belly - from behind I dont even look overweight - but turn me to the side and front and u cant miss it  LOL  Maybe ill start a small PS fund, just in case LOL Good luck reaching goal - u now have one more person rooting for you! Kathy :o)

Hi Kathy. I also go to dr pohls office but dr giovanni is my surgeon..when i went to the office they were sooo nice. dont be nervous about that. I am in the process of getting  a lapband i am awaiting a call from the office to come in for my 2nd appointment (my testing is complete) i am waiting for one dr to fax over some info.... good luck and welcome.. how far into ct do you live?  I am on the line of believe it or not , greenville, glocester and north scituate... Take care KIM

Hi Kim! Good for you!  I met Dr. Giovanni too at the WLS seminar - she is great.  I decided on Dr. Pohl because he has done my sister's and 2 friends surgeries and knew how well they did.  I still cannot decide on the RNY or Band.......did you have to decide at the first appointment?  I am always calling the office for cancellations on the chance I can get in sooner - but no luck so far.  They are super nice there.  You are not far from me - I am in the Sterling area.  I know just where you are - isnt RI great?  LOL  You can be in one place and touch 3 towns  LOL Hope you get a call soon!  Take care! Kathy :o)

Kathy and Kim- you guys are my neighbors!!!  I live in Glocester right at the N Scituate line. First- welcome to the board- it is a fantastic place!  Second- make sure you tell your surgeon about your reaction to anesthesia.  I am pretty sure they can give you something to combat the nausea. My decision on the lapband was because I felt that if I lost the weight slower, my body may be more inclined to adjust and not sag.  I was told it is not always the case- if the skin is scarred or has stretchmarks, you are pretty much SOL.  (this was second hand- so don't quote me as fact).  Everyone's surgery decision is personal, you will hear so many good and bad things about any of them.  The end decision is up to you, and what is best in your situation- and sometimes- even what the Dr feels is best. Good luck in your journey!

Hi Kathy! Welcome to your new home-away-from-home! If your sister is Krista from here on the forum....you're a lucky gal to have her for a sis! I know EXACTLY what you mean about the post-op vomiting! That's me all the way! I had same-day shoulder surgery and ended up staying for three days because of constant, out-of-control, profuse vomiting! This is my biggest fear with this surgery. To me, it's a fear worse than my fear of dying from the surgery because I know there's a 1-2% chance of death but a 100% chance of vomiting so badly that I rupture something. At first, I was considering the LapBand but changed to RNY partially because of the post-op vomiting. There is less chance of something going wrong with the RNY because of the chances of the LapBand slipping. It says in Dr. Pohl's seminar pamphlet that we should 'avoid' vomiting for two weeks after the LapBand procedure. The only time EVER I didn't awaken from surgery vomitting (I've had 13) was when I had my urinary surgery and they did a spinal with less anesthesia. The first thing I said when I woke was.."Wow" I'm not vomitting"! I've grown accustom to vomiting before even leaving the OR. Anyway, when I met with Dr. Pohl, I asked him about the spinal. He said no. I was very upset and scared about that. Mainly because I don't think he understands the severity of the vomiting. So, I have read up on it and found I CAN have spinal with this procedure! I will be meeting with anesthesiologist  two weeks prior to surgery and I will bring ALL of my past anesthesia records with me, as well as, the book that quotes that I can have the spinal. Maybe this will help pave the way for you to have the same if you're interested. Again, welcome. Good job with getting those tests out of the way and the insurance pre-approval so soon. I hope to see you one here often. Jules

  Hi Jules! Yup, Krista_Beth is my bratty baby sister!  LOL  I am so proud of her!  She is definately my inspiration.  Im mad at her tho.......I asked her to be my "friend" here and she hasnt responded! LOL I react excatly like you from anesthesia!  I just cannot recoup and function for days.  Just the SMELL of it makes me want to heave.  I agree about the fear of vomitting being greater than anything else.  I dont like having the feeling of no control and thats exactly how i feel post-op.   I have had several surgeries myself and the only time I did not get sick was with my C-section as I had a spinal for that.  I even got knocked out for 2 days with "twilight" anesthesia having some ovarian cysts aspirated (PCOS).  I would love more info on what you found on regarding spinals and WLS.  I know that he was adamant about it at the seminar - or maybe it was Dr. Giovanni - one of them said that the stomach doesnt numb from a spinal and it was out of the question. I scheduled my Psych testing for 5/28/08.  Now I am waiting for a call-back from the nutritionist and all ill need is the endoscopy. Then it is decision time!  I am leaning towards RNY for the same reason.  I do not want slippage and have to have surgery AGAIN.  Ill make my final decision soon.  Thanks for all your advice and hope to be here alot and get to know everyone!       Kathy :o)

Just wanted to jump in and say hello to everyone...

Hey Rhino! Thanks for the welcome   How are things in Craaaaaaanston? That's my old stomping grounds from way back when!   Kathy