Hello I am new: to this and I hope that you can Help me. I have been think of this for a while but I am not sure of how to go about it! Wick

i was all set to answer you last night, and then i saw that you were in canada, which adds such a big layer of complications since the bypass surgery is not done by many surgeons, nor does your health system recognize it as a priority. did you read ruthxxx's post?

but generally, at least in the US, some folks just go to a surgeon who specializes in this [check out www.asbs.org for some surgeons], and others need a referral.

no one reputable will do either the lap band or the bypass or the duodenal switch unless you have a BMI of at least 40 or of 38-39 with a qualifying condition [hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes, and a few others].

but first and foremost: DO YOUR RESEARCH. check out www.obesityhelp.com. and www.spotlighthealth.com. and www.asbs.org.

tell us more about yourself, and we can give you more information that makes sense [at least we hope it'll make sense!!!]

OKay I am 27 years old, 5' 9" and I am weighing almost 45olbs. I have ben big all my life and I havetryed everything from Richard Simmons to a prescribtion drug from my doctor ( please do not take this drug as it cause problems) I would like to be able to showe my own dogs and I would love it were people are not staring at me because of my size and it upsets me to hear people saying "You are very pretty but you have to lose weight". I have been thinking of this for the last year but I do not know where to go and who to talk too. I am greatful that I have found this site as know I have other people to talk to.
Wick

and it doesn't work for us. for whatever reason. many people have trouble understanding that, but frankly, when you get to be this size, something is very wrong, and docs just have no idea what it is. however, the ones who actually research obesity agree that it's at least 50 percent 'not our eating and exercise habits.'

let's start with this: what do you KNOW about the surgery and what are you afraid of?

i was at my highest weight in sept 2001. 506. and we're the same height, wick. as of yesterday, i weigh 253. i lost 97 pounds going into the surgery because the docs finally corrected my sleep apnea. and the surgery was at the end of january 2002, so i've lost 156 since then.

reputable surgeons require that you get clearance from other specialists, especially lung, heart, vascular doctors.

do you know of anyone in your area who does the surgery? or do you know of anyone around you who has had it?

I do not know muck about the surgery but I was told that it is used as a last resort. My doctor is not that inclined to help me out as were I stand right know( as there as been in the past, things that he has missed with me) and there is no other doctor in our area. I am checking out the sites that You have added in the last letter.
That sounds great how you have lost all the weight so far. was there problems! and does the flaps go away??
Well I have to go.
Thanks for writing and helping me
Wick

what have you found out about the surgery? have you checked out all the threads on this forum?

let us know... keep us posted...