Re: Reply to Kate from UmmAleah

[Guest guest]

Dear Kate,

Thanks for all your wonderful info much appreciated.

I joined health care fund last September and was intending to wait till next September surgery. But Hubby was gracious enuf to kick in with money (which we have) earlier to surprise me as he is concerned about my health and he doesn't want to keep me waiting. I will keep the health fund up for another 7 months or so just incase something happens later on. Thing is I won be covered surgically till after September anyway.

Yes, the info was very much what I remember from the info night which I found extremely informative and inspiring.

Dr Talbot is the surgeon who spoke on the info night and I intend to get a referral for him. Nice to hear u were happy with him.

thanks again for all ur info.

kind regards

UmmAleah

Re: Bum- Question for Danna>?Part 2

Hi UmmLeah (hope I've spelt that right!),I just got banded by Dr Talbot through SIOS on 5 December. I was originally going to see Dr Dumbrell but didn't really like him that much - so decided to shop around some more. Dr Talbot and the SIOS team are lovely. I just knew right away at the info night that it was the place for me. Now my original referral was from my GP to Dr Dumbrell. I asked SIOS if I needed a new referral and they said no - what they do is that the Doctor you see can write a letter to your GP (kind of a referral in reverse I guess). They didn't even look at the referral I had for Dr Dumbrell and I've never had to provide one from my GP.You won't see your surgeon at your first appointment. Instead you'll see one of the bariatric doctors (the guys that will do your fills and follow ups). They'll explain the procedure to you and order the blood tests and ECG you'll need. You take that "order form" to a pathologist and they do the tests. They recommend some pathogolists in different areas (I had my tests done in Bankstown so I could pop in on some old work buddies at the same time) but I think you could go to anyone. The ones they recommended bulk billed so I just stuck with them. If you choose someone different - check about billing. I was very stressed about the tests - really worried about what they might find - but it turned out all fine. The tests happen quick - so don't worry about trying to get them now as you need the "order" anyway.SIOS will set up your appointments with the psychologist and dietician. If you can, you might see if you can get them all done on the same day as when you first see the doctor (they did that for me). The staff will then look at the calendar and who you want to do your surgery and pick a date. I think they have about four surgeons working out of there so dates seem pretty easy to find (depending too on how flexible you are with who you want to do it - I wanted Dr T and it added about 2 weeks from the date when my health insurance kicked in - which is torture after waiting 12 months already - but I wanted him and so was prepared to wait). I think they also work out of two hospitals (I had mine done at Ashfield, but I think they have Holroyd as well - don't quote me).After the tests were all done, I went back in and saw the doctor again and he went through my test results with me (he suggested I increase my vitamin D and B12, which were in the normal range he just wanted to boost them) and the consent form for the surgery (although consent for the surgery can also be done on the morning of the procedure or when you meet your surgeon - if that happens before the surgery date).They will want you to do two weeks of optifast prior to the surgery. I wanted to use Tony Ferguson - and the dietician reluctantly let me. They seem to have a strong preference for Optifast - still I lost 8kg in the 2 weeks and my surgeon was well pleased. I'd also lost some weight before doing the 2 weeks liquids - so I went into surgery 17kg lighter. (I've since put 2kg on over the last 4 weeks as I have no restriction in the band and have lots of appetite and ability to eat basically anything!!!)Once you've got all your appointments out of the way, the staff will send you a letter telling you how much you have to pay and by when. Once that's sorted you show up at the hospital on the morning of your surgery. I saw my surgeon prior to going into the theatre (like literally outstide waiting to go in while the anesthetist was getting me rigged up). If they can work out an appropriate time, they do try to get you to see your surgeon beforehand - it just didn't work for me.I had a bit of a rocky recovery - my first week I was quite sick and in a fair amount of pain. But then I suddenly seemed to turn a corner and was doing a lot better. I had problems sleeping for the first 3 weeks because I like to sleep on my tummy but just couldn't manage it. Today is my first day back at work (exactly 4 weeks post surgery). I get a stitch in my left side when I over do things. I also sometimes get a pain on my right side that comes with some nausea - not sure what triggers that off. I am finally sleeping on my tummy again, but have to be careful when rolling over. Today is also my first day back at the gym - and things are feeling really good. I had no pains or problems. I did the cross-trainer, treadmill, bike and lifted some weights (baby weights compared to what I could lift before surgery). The weights were a bit of a struggle on my arm muscles - but didn't cause any pains etc with the band.You should really consider the health insurance option though - because if anything happens to you post surgery (heaven forbid!) then you won't be covered for your hospital stay etc and you'll have to pay big dollars to get it fixed. I know it's unlikely to have something serious happen - but I have heard of it - and this is significant surgery. Just something to think about.For me I was so impatient about getting the band, that I kind of forgot that I'd have to wait to get some fill in it. With Christmas, I've had to wait 6 weeks to get the fill done (because they wouldn't do it at 2 weeks before they closed for Christmas - you usually you wait 4 weeks so you've had some time to heal). So right now, I feel like I'm playing an endless waiting game. Only 2 weeks to go now though!!!Wishing you all the best!Kate

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