Initial Surgeon Appointment - ThinnerTimes

JenBear7 · 01-19-2007, 07:45 PM

Well the endless waiting for the first appointment with the surgeon has FLOWN by. I thought it was going to take forever once my PCP sent the referral into the surgeon. I saw the PCP Dec 18th, got the 16 page packet in the mail Dec 28th from the surgeon's office.. sent it back January 6th.. and got the appointment today (but whos counting?? LOL..).. sooooo...

My initial appointment with the surgeon is February 8th. WOOOOOOOOOT (thats only 3 weeks away!). I can say Im glad I quit smoking when I did.. I quit November 10th (and I hadnt made the decision for the surgery yet.. and I had no clue it was a requirement until a couple weeks ago!).. my doc says no smoking for months prior to the surgery.. so that puts me out to at least May 10th .. and I was thinking if I moved right along end of may beginning of June..

And they wont make the appointment until I have been with them for 3 months. They wont ask for insurance approval until I change my eating habits.. they "encourage" 3 months of support groups prior, and joining a gym before you start the process..

Now.. keep in mind these are the reasons I chose this place..I KNOW I need my ass kicked on a regular basis to remind me to keep myself on the right path.. They are a center of excellence.. I know their record is good.. I hand picked the surgeon at the center because he teaches the surgery in 2 hospitals.. I am So freaking excited I cant stand myself!

Now.. here are my questions.. lol

1. The letter they sent me with the initial date says that a stress test for patients with diabetes (I do NOT have this), patients over 50 (Im 35), or any patient with a history of cardiac symptoms.. ... Is High BLood pressure considered a cardiac symptom??

2. It also says I need cardiac clearance & Pulmonary Clearance.. any clues here??

It says I need to bring with me any of the following tests I had done prior to my initial apppointment...does that mean If I havent had the tests, they will take care of them??

3. If I bring my box of color-coded index cards with all my notes about the surgery (actually surgeries, I have researched lap band and RNY).. will I look like a doof?

I have started on the stationary bike (the only thing that doesnt kill my hip argh.. its been out of place since christmas shopping season!).. doing 15 minutes a day.. (which probably doesnt sound like a lot.. but it sure feels it right now LOL) I have also stopped eating candy & chips & soda (which I really only started drinking again once I decided to have the surgery).. which brings me to my last question.. If they are going to have me start losing weight when I go to them (which I am sure they are).. should I stop trying now.. so I am at my weight when I am there, and every pound I lose counts?? Ok.. nevermind answering that.. once I wrote it .. it looks assinine.. *slaps forehead* OY.. of course I should still try to lose.. it doesnt matter if I get credit for every pound..

I know I had more questions I was going to ask earlier.. but I cant remember them now... I may though... (warning!)..

*dances off to re-re-read my paperwork*... (I think that is reading cubed!)

Lori P · 01-19-2007, 08:18 PM

I believe that high blood pressure would be a cardiac symptom, but what really do I know? I'm not a doctor.... I just went to school for 4 years to try to be one. (honest!)

Probably doesn't help much.... but I tried.

Lori

JenBear7 · 01-19-2007, 10:32 PM

everything helps! And thats what I was afraid of.. I dont want to do extra tests darnit .. I Have this huge hatrid of tests.. (with the granddaddy of ugly tests next Friday .. ).. but.. I suppose, if they say hump through this hoop.. I'll be asking how often!

Thanks (btw.. I did add you on POGO .. I am Jenbearr7 there (2 R's).. Havent seen you on since!)

Hunnyblonde · 01-20-2007, 08:12 AM

Not sure either if HBP is considered a cardiac condition but I had to do a treadmill stress test and I have HBP, but never any other heart conditions. The pulmonary function test is nothing big. They just want to make sure you have good breathing sounds. You blow into a tube a few times and a computer records the amount of pressure. I was in and out in about 10 mins. As far as bringing in previous tests results, unless you had them recently (within 3-6 months) you would have to take them again. They want the past test results as a baseline (to see if you've improved or declined) for the new results. So yes, they will take care of scheduling you for these tests.

Bring your box of index cards!! It make impress them enough that you might not have to go to educational meetings or extra support groups, etc. I've said many times that my research and knowledge I had from this forum impressed my doctors so much that I was checked off on attending their info and support groups. That being said, you might still want to attend those just in case there's something specific to your group for you to learn and support groups can be awesome and should be attended on a regular basis(Thanks Rain and Bridget).

You're doing awesome with the lifestyle changes. Your efforts will show when your weight has dropped from your initial PCP appt to your appt with your surgeon. Keep it up. Your comment about not losing any weight prior to your appt didn't sound assinine to me. I'm dealing with something similar right now. I've been losing pretty regularly on the 2-wk pre-op diet and I've had thoughts of, "Hey, I don't want to lose weight before surgery. They might think that if I can lose that way that I don't need the surgery." Then I have to slap myself and remember that that's not the point. We've all lost weight in the past--but gain it right back and probably a few more pounds to boot. Really, it's in your best interest to lose as much pre-op as you can so your surgeon has an easier time in there and you have less chance of being converted to open. Just remember, what you lose now, will never come back!!

eyesthatkissu · 01-20-2007, 09:08 AM

You are so funny!! Everyone else has given you great advice, just wanted to pop in there and give you a big thumbs up. You are on your way now!

AlabamaChick · 01-20-2007, 01:11 PM

It's getting closer! I cant wait for you to get your date!

coptergirl · 01-20-2007, 01:16 PM

Great advise thus far esp. from Rene who has done a ton of research and is so organized. Go armed with all of your info,not sure on the bP question, the pulmonary thing - they will send you to a pulmonaryspecialist to do some tests which are painless - just follow their instructions.

Congrats on the progress you have made so far in your journey - with your determination, you will be such a success!

LyndasRoom · 01-20-2007, 03:48 PM

Jen, those questions and more will be answered on Feb 8th! Then you'll probably have MORE questions. I say TAKE your card file...docs like informed patients. Keep doing the things you're doing...I think you're on a good path!
Congrats...woot!

Gina in NY · 01-20-2007, 04:05 PM

As you said, when you're ready, you'll take any test they ask for just to get in there and as everyone has said, the surgeon will answer all questions. So start making a list!

Sounds like we'd better start warming up a seat on the losers bench! (Its like, 10 degrees here, so it may take a while)

JenBear7 · 01-20-2007, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina in NY

As you said, when you're ready, you'll take any test they ask for just to get in there and as everyone has said, the surgeon will answer all questions. So start making a list!

Sounds like we'd better start warming up a seat on the losers bench! (Its like, 10 degrees here, so it may take a while)

You must be closer to the city LOL.. I am not sure its anywhere near 10 here! its COLD.. I almost forgot it was January! Where are you in NY if you dont mind me asking? I am "near" Binghamton, Syracuse.. work in Cortland .. Dead Center NY basically..