On my way to weight loss surgery!

[Guest guest]

hello all,

I had a long but wonderful day at the surgeons office. I spent my morning

doing all the education, nutrition and PT stuff. Then the afternoon with the

doc and financial person. I will be getting lap band weight loss surgical

procedure once I get approval from my insurance.

I still have a long way to get to my actual surgery. I have tons of tests to

do to include, psych eval, Echo, stress test and I have to have a filter put

in a vein in my neck to make sure I don't get any clots that go anywhere that

can do damage.

The doc was so through and we had a long chat then he chatted with hubby then

came the exam. We talked about gastric bypass procedures versus Lap band and

he felt lapband was the best choice at this time for me. The other

procedures would just make my anemia and b vitamin deficiency worst tha it

already is

due to how I metabolize some of my RA meds. So tomorrow I start making my

appnts for my tests and start shopping for good protein suppliments. I have to

have at least 2-3 that I like and work for me before I have surgery. These

people are all about prior proper planning for a successful outcome!

I was really shocked when my surgeon said no need to stop my RA meds. My

last dose of med will be the day before my surgery and I will resume my meds the

day after surgery. Also with lapband I will only have to stay in hospital for

23 hrs if all goes well. I can go home as soon as I can walk, pee, hold my

liquids without vomiting and pass gas! We also had a long talk about the lap

band and my immune status and the risk for infection. I am very confortable

with my surgeon. He is very warm, caring, but also thorugh, straight forward

and firm. He would not be for those that like a lot of sweet talk and hand

holding.

I even had to sign a patient/doctor contract agreeing to follow the rules and

failure to follow or repeated non compliance will result in doc refusing to

treat me. Harsh but this is major life changing surgery!!

I came home with an entire binder full of pre and post surgical care info,

learning material and contact info for the nurse, nutritionist and PT

specialist. All my exercise and food diaries, recipes, starter menus, do,

don'ts, post

surgical food progression schedule and notes. Just so much info its

overwhelming!!!

I am so pleased at the throughness of the staff. I have to attend group

session a few weeks after surgery and have psych follow up at 12 weeks. They

say

all this is designed because this is when a lot of patients hit brick walls

and have problems.

Well, I am so exhausted from the 8 hour round trip drive. I am off to bed!

Toni