Newbie located just north of Houston - Lots of Questions

I am considering the surgery. Have been researching the different types and trying to make up my mind for a couple of years.:confused:

I currently have HMO Blue of TX and am wondering how that will work out for me. Anyone with experience on that one? The good news is that I can change my insurance carrier each fall.

I am considering a couple of doctors - if they take my insurance. Dr. Spivak and Dr. Robert Marvin with Obesity Surgery Specialists in Houston.

I spent a lot of time thinking I wanted the Duodenal Switch, but then decided that I should try the least invasive procedure to start - and hopefully it will work for me. We'll see...

I have been overweight since I was born. :baby:9 lbs 11 1/2 ozs. Went to a weight loss doctor several years back - did the lose and gain back thing...:phanvan I am currently flirting with 300 lbs at the age of 48. I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 27 and suffer from a "relaxed esophagus," which I am told is sometimes a side affect of the rheumatoid.

For those of you that don't know - rheumatoid arthritis is not an arthritis - it is an autoimmune disease. Don't know if the relaxed esophagus issue will be a stumbling block for the procedure or not. I do know that the medications I take for the rheumatoid - as well as the rheumatoid itself - can retard the healing process.

Well, there's my book. Look forward to reading the input from all of you. Thanks, Bobbi.