Hello! Newbie Looking for Support in Northern New York!

Hello! Though I've been registered since October, I'm a newcomer to the OH message boards. What a fantastic site! After 3-4 years of "waffling," I've decided to further pursue WLS. It's really difficult to know where to begin! I've purchased a couple of books, and I'm trying to do some online reseach before making such a life-altering decision. Though I haven't made a final decision on surgery, I'm certainly leaning that way more and more each day. This week, I attended an informational meeting and made an appointment to have my office visit, as well as my physical, nutritional, and pyschologic evaluations; the appointment is August 15th... not soon enough, now that I've made the decision to move forward with this process. So... I was wondering if there might be someone else out there from my area. I live in Northern New York... and by that I mean NORTHERN.... not Albany, not Buffalo, not Syracuse, but waaaay up on the Canadian border. I'd love to get some feedback regarding hospitals and surgeons in this area. At the present time, there are three that I am considering... one in particular. These are: 1) SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse 2) Adirondack Medical Center, Saranac Lake 3) Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington (VT) Has anyone had an experience with one or more of these facilities? What about the surgeons? I've read the hospital and surgeon reviews, but I would love to hear directly from folks who've had first-hand experiences. Also, does anyone know of a good support group in the area? Also: Does anyone have Blue Cross Excellus? And finally, I would greatly appreciate any genderal advice on starting this mind-boggling process. Thanks so much! I look forward to meeting you, and to hopefully becoming an active member here in the OH New York Forum! Thanks so much! Have a great day! -Alicia

Hi Alicia- Are you considering the DS? If so, they do it at Saranac Lake but not the other places you mentioned. Come on by the DS board if youre curious, a few of the DSers have used Dr Hill Good luck to you!! Margie 7/27/04 349/170

Alicia: Hello! Welcome. I live in Saratoga County, not as far upstate as you though. Here is the link for SUNY Syracuse bariatrics I found: http://www.upstate.edu/uh/surgery/bariatric/ For more information call: Syracuse area: 315-464-9852 Toll Free Outside the Syracuse area: 1-866-349-4592 or FAX: 315-464-9814 E-Mail: [email protected] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is all I could find on th VT site was a link to a number: http://www.fahc.org/AboutFAHC/AboutFAHC_Contribution/Documents/Fletcher_Allen_Services_--Web_.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I had my surgery at Albany Medical Center (Dr. Singh) 3.5 yrs ago. I do not know Dr. Hill 'personally' but here is what I quickly collected: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+testimonials+Michael+Hill+gpr.h tml http://www.adirondacksurgical.com/adirondack_surgical_group_017.htm http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/showeventinfo.php?Event_ID=1151605845 *looks like info session 7/11, look at that link for contact info: Contact Phone (518) 897-2440 Contact Person Patricia Randolph Clark Contact Email [email protected] he is the WLS surgeon in Saranac Lake. I have however had many of his patients come to my support group. Of course we all choose our surgeon and usually end up trusting/loving our surgeons but I hear they have a good program. Each program has different preop criteria, many now are requireing preop wt loss around the 10% mark...to shrink fatty liver and ease surgery/decrease surgical complications, show motivation, show you can adhere to postop life as you will need to make lifestyle changes for wls to be successful longterm otherwise the first 6-12 months you may lose but can regain if we do not change our lives (emotional/exercise/food intake), get you closer to an ideal bodywt as less u will need to lose postop, etc... First things first education is key so you are right on schedule! Now before you wait another minute call YOUR insurance company and get a copy of your insurance Policy esp. where it states info about WLS. THe blues are known to have exclusions, criteria such as 6, 9 or 12 month pre surgery medically supervised diets. SO I would hate for you to waste time if you need that start now while your going thru the process! *Nothing worse than getting a date and finding out you have to wait 6 more months! I send this LONG post to people considering surgery so here it is: ___________________________________ (*print and read later if youn eed to!) Deciding to have WLS is a major, life-changing event and shouldn't be made on impulse (I am not saying this is you I am saying this for anyone thinking about it!). I recommend anyone be 110% sure this is what you want to do because it is PERMANENT! Things to think about: ~How long have you been researching WLS?**Hopefully at least a good 6 months or so****for many it is years! ~Do you understand the procedure, I mean really understand the nitty gritty of what they are going to do to your intestinal system! Not just it will help me lose weight but that they are going to cut your stomach in 2,make a small pouch, the old stomach hopefully is transected from pouch by staples and surgically cut in 2! Then the intestines are cut a few feet or so down and rerouted so you lose weight because the tummy is restrictive and bypassing the intestines decreases absorption....Know the risks involved with this!!!***(nutritional/metabolic/physical/psychosocial): ex B12 and vitamin deficiencies/protein deficiency/hernia/adhesions, risk of depression post op related to grief over loss of food and hormonal surge of estrogen/trauma of surgery, marital/relational difficulties/high divorce rate)... ~~~Surgical risks: (not all inclusive.. Bleeding, Complications due to anesthesia and medications , Deep vein thrombosis/clots *Going to heart/brain/lungs as MI/Stroke/Pulmonary Emboli, Wound Dehiscence , Infections , Pulmonary problems , Spleen injury, Stenosis, Hernia, Death, Depression possibly related to grieving the loss of food, decreased metabolism, and hormonal surges from estrogen being released into the body from rapid wt loss/fat breakdown...., Gallstones....happens to many who lose large amts of wt, esp obese females!, Long-term osteoporosis, vit./mineral deficiencies, hair loss (temporary due to anesthesia, trauma of surgery but will continue if you are protien/vit and mineral deficient!), Food intolerances (possibly meats, esp. red meat, lactose intolerance, sugar, fats, fried food), Dumping syndrome (Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea/chestpain/palatations/sweating/tiredness for minutes/hours/days), EXCESS SKIN....OK my philosophy is you fit in your skin or you don't...Do say you don't want to feel bad after, ask yourself do you feel bad now? If yes are you healthy now as a MO person? Yeah many insurance companies pay for some plastic surgeries if medically necessary it may be a fight, but you can get some of it removed possibly....If though this will deter you I say the chances are great you will have some amount of excess skin, no one knows how much...Age, gender, prior diet/weight changes, pregnancies all affect this and the best chance on has to control this is (although limited) exercise, water and protein....So if this is a huge issue don't have surgery....Excess skin may be by far the most distressing side-effect for people as we already come with altered self-esteem/body image!!! ~~~What type of research have you done? (Internet, in-person support group meetings, talking with others who have had surgery, surgeon consult, surgeon seminar, articles, books?????)***Knowledge is power and is the best tool we have for success and happiness afterwards**** ~~~What are your present support systems? Friends, Family, co-workers.....**Although not 100% necessary if others are on board it sure as heck makes the ride all that much easier!!!*** ~~~What are your current stressors? ***WLS is a time when you need to be as stable as possible, going through a divorce, bankruptcy, death of a close relative, job loss...well WLS may be a good option but pick the optimal time as it is stressful enough if everything is good, when you are going through something extra stressful you are hampering your success possibly and not having the old standby of food to rely on can be HELL!***This is not to say there ever is a right time and things can happen post-op but be kind to yourself and do what's best for you, waiting 3 months may make all the difference in the world! After all this is about forever!!! ~~~What is your nutritional/obesity/diet history?***WLS is not for everyone, it is for the Morbidly obese (BMI above 40 or 35 with major comorbdities such as sleep apnea, Coronary disease, Diabetes....)This should be no ones first attempt at dieting (*I know this is not yours again just general guidelines)...Anyone who says this is the easy way out, KNOWS NOTHING about the surgery or the struggles you will endure and lifestyle changes necessary post-op for success! They are usually ignorant, jealous or both! Again your education and knowledge here goes a long way...Everyone seems to know someone who 'died' or had a 'terrible experience' with WLS...BUT no one seems to have a name or number to call that person!!! It is again based on hearsay alot of the time and their own fears and insecurities...You are doing this for you remember that, it is nice to have support, so educate friends and family, bring them to a support group!!! It can only help! Many programs require wt loss preop...I know many people disagree with this or don't understand why..IMHO I think it is a generally good idea to start instilling dietary, exercise and overall lifestyle changes preop, there is nothing magical about the surgery that makes u wake up and think like a thin person (*I WISH!!!!) So making small changes are helpful pre-op...EXERCISE is one of the biggest keys to success (IMHO again) and anything you can do preop will help you keep up with this and be healthier for surgery!! (and a better surgical risk!)...Start eating smaller portions, it is hard if you go from eating super sized fast food today to clear liquids for 2 weeks (*this is my equivalent of psychological hell/torture!!!) Start slowing down when you eat, put that fork down in-between bites, cut up your food to small pieces, stop drinking and eating at the same time (cant do it or shouldn't postop so start now!) Start taking in 64 ounces of fluid a day if u aren't already, will need to postop! Cut out carbonation, caffeine, sugar, alcohol and chocolate (these are 5 recommended things to avoid postop for many esp. in the first year) again make postop life easier on yourself not harder start ahead!!!!Try on new coping skills for size, they wont miraculously appear postop! Stock the house with clear liquids, crystal lite, diet kool-aid, broth, diet jello etc so u are ready when u get home!!!!Try and avoid the 'last supper syndrome' you will eat most everything again eventually, perhaps in smaller quantities, so don't have a feast each night of things u think u will never have again! ~~~Ask yourself: What is my ability to make lifestyle changes? Be compliant with post-op recommendations??? This is only a tool....(*sorry can't say that enough!).... a Need to exercise daily for health/wt loss and help with excess skin b Need to supplement with B12, multivitamin, folate, Iron, Zinc, Calcium citrate, protein shakes possibly give or take things. c Need for LIFELONG FOLLOW UP!!!! d Know that extended release medications may not be as effective or absorbed well (**esp. birth control pills in woman of childbearing age use alternative form of BC) I could probably ramble on all day about this..I hope some of this helps you! Any specific ? email us or me offline! Take care and good luck it is an awesome journey!! *not perfect and a positive attitude helps! DO this for you and only you!!!! Start journaling now www.obesityhelp.com is a great site, start your own profile there! Also if you haven't seen this document (pouch rules) print and read! A good basic guide to things that will help you use the tool and be successful as possible (*for most of us!!!) http://www.digitalhorsewoman.com/pouchrules.htm _________________________________________ Now when you choose a surgeon this is the list of questions i think of and here is another link with manymore questions... (someone posted the other day) http://www.amylhwilliams.com/questionsforsurgeon.html When you're looking for a Bariatric surgeon/points to ponder: 1) Check out info on this site: http://www.nydoctorprofile.com/ (*search under his name & look for any malpractice suits, payouts etc. You can ask about that). 2) Is he board-certified by the American Board of Surgery? www.absurgery.org American College of Surgeons? http://web3.facs.org/acsdir/public/Detail.cfm?CHKDGTS=00299031800 3) Is he a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons? http://www.asbs.org/html/about/membersearch2.html 4) What is the mortality rate (is the number of deaths) of the surgeon, the success rate (those losing > 50% of their excess wt at 5 yrs out)? Complication rates (wound infections, hernias, strictures, leaks, reoperation etc)? Average length of time in hospital. 5) The surgeon you find should be well experienced in the area of weight loss surgery (BARIATRICS). It's clear that the more experienced the surgeon, the lower the risk of mortality. Ideally, you would prefer to find a surgeon who has performed at least 100 of these procedures. (I say over 500!). I also recommend a surgeon who dedictes his practice to WLS, not one who does a case a week.... 6) What you are looking for doesn't stop with numbers and statistics -- you will also need a multidisciplinary team one that includes: Surgeon, nutritionist, exercise physiologists, psychological support & support groups, that can be utilized pre- and post-operatively. 7) Look for a center or hospital that offers educational seminars to those who are just beginning the process so you can learn more about the actual procedure, the benefits, and the risks. 8) Is the hospital a Bariatric Center of Excellence? http://www.asbs.org/html/about/coe.html or http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx http://www.facs.org/viewing/cqi/bscn/fullapproval.html 9) The preparation, both physical and mental, comes next, and is as crucial to the entire process as the actual procedure. Look to a surgeon that requires clearance from (what is indicated w/ your particular medical status) various doctors (psych/endocrine/hemotology/pulmonary/cardiology/nutrition etc). No this is not @ hoops this is making sure your health status is optimized before surgery. Preop smoking cessation, preop wt loss..etc. 10) What procedures does he do? Open or Lap? What is his follow up plan? Recovery time? Education is a tremendously important part of the preoperative process & there is no question that there are major risks associated with the operation. However, those risks can be minimized by having a thorough preoperative workup so there aren't surprises during the procedure, and by making sure the surgeon is experienced and qualified. This is a courageous step for people to take, and it's not just about weight changing -- it's about life changing. SO take your time, find the right surgeon/surgical program for you for your life and your health and success long-term! WLS is a decision many of us make, but should not be made impulsively (*the average time one thinks about and has WLS is 2 yrs!) as we as MO people can feel quite desperate and see this as a last resort and can sometimes go with whoever is telling us they will perform, that may not be in our best interest! EDUCATION IS KEY, AS IS A COMMITMENT & dedication to a healthy diet and exercise regimen, continual follow-up with doctors to monitor progress, and commitment to a new life. Ask him all these questions or any others think of or you think of, if HE isn't right, find someone who is! After all you're putting your life in his hands and needing someone to care for you for life!!! Be an educated consumer of your own health! HUGS! PS I really like this book it is a little pricey but helpful for the emotional side of WLS! http://www.bariatrictimes.com/obesity-medical-books.cfm The Emotional First + Aid Kit--A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery Price: $24.95 (plus $5.00 shipping and handling) Author: Cynthia L. Alexander, PsyD ~~~~~~~~~ Barbra Thompson's WLS Finding the thin person inside of you (a good PREOP BOOK) Gayle Andres's "Living a Lighter Lifestyle; A guide to successful wt loss and maintenance after WLS" http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GastricBypass-InfoCentral/ this is a great group/supportive as well check it out! ___________ DON'T FORGET BOTH THESE MAGS ARE SUPER!!! ObesityHelp Magazine $25/year a 6x yr publication http://www.obesityhelpmagazine.com/ WLS lifestyles $24.95/year a quarterly magazine http://www.wlslifestyles.com/ Take Care, FEEL free to email me off list anytime! ( [email protected] ) Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Hello Alicia, Sorry --I am a New york city member--but I wanted to welcome you anyway! Be Blessed Marian S.C. 242.4/157.8/goal 125-130???

Wow! Thank you, ladies, for the warm welcome! Jamie - I especially appreciate the extensive information and references. Thank you all for making me feel at home. Enjoy your holiday weekend! -Alicia PS - What's the story with the personal journals? Are we able to use them, or is that what the buzz is about switching to a new profile system? Sorry for the questions.

I had mine in Utica with Dr Graber. And at that time I have the ins that you asked about . It was great my employer has since chnaged ins and it now sucks. I only paid 47.00 out of pocket for the entire process up to and including the cco pay for my 2 year check up. Betty Jo Lap RNY 7/11/03 399.5/210/150 239 inches gone