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I am just starting the process, and I have looked into a few Dr.'s I was wondering who you guys felt really comfortable with. I went to the group information meeting with Dr. Simpson. I found his office to be kinda old looking, and he seemed kinda "smart alecy" when I asked him a few things. I have heard he has put the most bands in in AZ, but I am just not sure how I feel about him. Please let me know how you feel about your Dr's and pros cons.. I am on the West side so it might be hard for me to travel very far for support groups in such but if it's the right DR. I might be willing to. Thanks

:confused2: I am in Avondale

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I used Dr Robin Blackstone in Scottsdale..... she was wonderful...I was banded a little over three weeks ago and would not have changed doctors for anything.

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I also am having my band done on May 19th at the WLIA with Dr. DeBarros ..He is wonderful and answers every question without ever making you feel rushed ..

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To me it was one stop shopping. I didn't go to a seminar because I live out of state. My first appointment, they went over their basics of how the program worked. They also started the preop testing. I went back a few weeks later and had the EGD, psych appt, and the rest of the preop testing. After that they submitted to my insurance and I had the surgery a few weeks later. I did go for another visit the day prior to surgery. I felt like they answered all of my questions and felt secure going into surgery.

I had my surgery at Surgical Specialty and it was very nice. You also have the option of having it done at St. Lukes in Tempe but you aren't guaranteed a private room at St. Lukes and they say it isn't as nice.

Good luck with your decision!

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What is the after program like? Do you attend the support groups? And what hospital did you have the surgery at?

Hi doots53,

I also had my surgery through WLIA. They have an incredible support program. There are meetings one Monday and one Saturday a month. I attend all of the Saturday meetings and Monday's when I can. We also have a group that meets and communicates regularly outside of scheduled support group meetings.

They do surgery at The Surgical Specialty hospital in Phoenix and at Tempe St. Luke's (where there offices are located). I had my surgery at Tempe St. Luke's. The rooms are private, but I've also heard a few say that they prefer the Surgical Specialty Hospital.

(By the way.... I also went to the seminar w/ Dr. Simpson and felt the same way you did. After that, I knew I wouldn't be having surgery with him and attended several other seminars. I'm glad I looked around and I think you will be, too.)

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I have gone through Weight LossInstitue of Arizona .. with Dr. DeBarros.. I absolutley love them ..Best care and the Drs are wonderful ..The whole staff is outstanding ...

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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