new to this and need help

Hi my name is Jessi and I just moved to Va. and looking to have weight loss surgery I'm a wife of a soldier who wants to change her life around by lossing my weight. I'm 5'7 at 275 pds. I was heavy before I had my son who is 6 years old but with my husband being in Iraq I would eat and can't  lose the weight so I notice that I'm having alot of health problems and the doctors tell me I need to get the weight off. I don't know where to start looking for a doctor or what to look at in a hospital. I love my son and husband dearly to where I want to be around for a long time and we want to have another child,but wondering if I should wait to have surgery before or after we have another child. Please help lost here. Jessi

Well Jessi let me be the first to welcome you to the VA Board and to VA!!! There are some really great  DR's here in VA and Im not sure  is Chester in and or around  Richmond?  Im sure someone  will  answer that Im not good with locations  Im up in the Charlottesville area and my DR was DR Schirmer from UVA and a good DR, but then there are the DR's in the other  area's and Ill let  the other folks interduce them. But wanted to say  that you have made a good choice in selecting WLS for you and making that change is a life long change. The folks here will be glad to answer any questions you might have so  just  shoot them at us. Glad to have you with us and  be sure to research all your choices in your DR's as well as which surgery is best for you. 

I have been on both sides of the spectrum and I can tell you that it is harder to gain the weight back than it was to lose.  I had a horrible ordeal with my surgery and got down to 88 pounds.  I am now at 109 and fight constantly to at least maintain.  Dr. Mann reversed my surgery and he is the reason I am alive today.  People do not realize (neither did I) that altering your stomach is abnormal.  Your intestines are never the same and neither is your ability to absorb nutrients.  Please think long and hard before doing this.  There have been great results for some people, but there have been fatal ones too.  I have a three year old daughter and I can only thank God that I made it through.  Good luck and God Bless

Jessi... Welcome, you've come to the right place. Im a soldiers wife also and I even have a 6 year old boy! lol I would say the BEST place to start is (depending on your insurance ) a appointment for a physical of some sort and speak with your physcian. I seen my OBGYN of all doctors because I love him and he put in a referral for me an the rest is history... A long and involved history...but from Oriegntation last March to being about a month away....it really hasnt been that bad! Good luck...O and also wanted to say that LOT'S of people have babies after surgery...they do say it's best to wait at least two years for your health. Brandi~

Good am Jessi, Welcome to Virginia & the VA Forum! You will find many helpful folks here.  You might consider giving this post some time for more responses. I think there are many folks in your area who can suggest a WLS surgeon. I would arm yourself with knowledge & read folks profiles here which are filled with lots of knowledge & personal experiences. You might begin a list of surgeons suggested, hospitals in your area & also review your insurance to see what their criteria is for WLS surgery. This will help you better plan your journey.  I have an almost 7 year old (Sun) and an almost 3 year old (Apr). I had my 1st pre-WLS & had my 2nd bugga after WLS. My preggers journey was very different between my 1st & 2nd one & I attribute it to having WLS and improving my health with dramatic weight loss and change overall. My 1st was born with my weighing nearly 340 lb & 2 1/2 months premature. Almost 2 1/2 years later I had WLS. Then again almost 2 years later I had my 2nd bugga and carried her to term with some minor issues. I cannot say whether having her before would have had the same happy results. I'm blessed, we're blessed & WLS is one of the best decisions I've ever made.  I wish you the best, sending prayers your way & keep us in mind with any questions & concerns & trust me you WILL have a ton! All best...........

Hi Jessi-

Welcome to the boards.  This is a GREAT place to start. Like you, I have military insurance/Tricare.  You have 2 routes to go.  Go to you PCM and discuss WLS as an option.  They can put in the recommendation for you to be seen at the military facility that does the surgery, or refer you out. OR...You can go Tricare Standard, which will allow you to see any allowed bariatric surgeon in your area.  This is the option that I chose and I was really glad that I did - I had less of a wait period than those who went through Portsmouth Naval Hospital (Mine was only 6 weeks).  My out of pocket costs were very low as well. I suggest that you do alot of research - be a well informed consumer. Good luck!

Hi Jessi & Welcome.  Lots of military people here on the board that will be able to contribute more info for you.  Making the decision for a healthy you is great.  Definitely start researching, get all the info you can so that you can make the best choices for you.  As for the pregnancy issue, so many feel that having a baby after surgery when your weight is down is beneficial in so many ways.  I would research pregnancy after WLS also and make your decision based on that info.  Best to you & keep us updated.

Hi Jessi, I notice that you are in Chester, I am in Prince George, just outside Hopewell.  I am 1 week post op and would highly recommend Dr. Bautista's office--Commonwealth Surgeons--at St. Mary's hospital in Richmond.  The staff is absolutely the best!! and  I have nothing but good to say about my experience in the hospital.   They require you to attend a seminar at St. Mary's and you would need to contact the office to set that up--Their phone # is 285-3225. I will also put  in a plug for Joe... There is a Tri-Cities support group that meets at John Randolph Hospital in Hopewell on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month from 6:30 to 8pm.  I plan to attend on the 28th, it would probably be a great place to get some of your questions answered,  Sometimes it is easier if you can talk to someone face to face versus a posting like this.   Best of luck to you!! Becky

Army wife here as well..Do you have prime?? If so then Kenner would refer you to Commen Wealth (Dr. Hutcher)..There awsome,who I went threw.DO check out the tri citys support group..Joe is wonderful. If ya need any help let me know..Im in hopewell..

Thanks for the plugs guys,...am I blushing???  Jessi, We'd love to have you in our merry band, espcially since Naomi is talking about running away to Ft Hood, but you should visit before she leaves so you can receive her mentoring and heckling stragetic training before she goes. I checked with my insurance and I had two choicwes in this area so Sporty Jill is right about checking your options before you spin your wheels on stuff or doctors that are not available. I am a Commonwealth Surgeons product also.  Dr. Hutcher did my RNY at St. Mary's and I saw plenty of Dr. Bautista in coverage too.  They get my vote too.  Dr Maher at MCV is excellent and a Dr. Schoerder of Richmond Surgeons has a practice that does lap-band but so does Dr. Bautista at Commonwealth. Do your homework/learn and choose what you feel best about is definitely the right way to go. Look forward to meeting you and on this board or our group,....the only silly or stupid question is the one you feel to silly or stupid about to ask.  So hit us with your best shot!!!