You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! - ThinnerTimes

SDeRossett · 06-28-2008, 04:02 AM

Well, yesterday was a very long day. I went to see a baratric surgeon for the first time. I was pointed in this direction by Milady B and I finally got to meet up with Beth "MiladyB" in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is just as sweet in person as she is on line. We had a shared appointment with the doctor, which was very interesing and very informative. Beth has such a wealth of knowledge, and is an amazing person in her compassion for others.

After our appointment we went to this really neat soup, salad and sandwich place and had a chance to visit for a while. I didn't catch the name of it, but sure wish we had something like that here.

I hadn't realized how much of a "hickerbillie" I'd turned into, having been up north for so long now, going to the "big" city was eyeopening, pretty cool too. I can't beleive how many specialists there are.

I will be looking to Beth for more advice as time moves on. Such an inspiration and "Godsend" for all of us here on TT.

Thanks Beth for being "YOU" <<BIG HUGS>>

Sharon

Duckie · 06-28-2008, 06:33 AM

I'm so jealous that you got to meet Beth! I want PICTURES!!!!
May I ask what your appt. was for? WIth so many people on here.....I forget who is having what kind of issues/complications.

MiladyB · 06-28-2008, 07:12 AM

Oh Sharon, thank you!! You are so sweet yourself so it was easy to be sweet to you.

You know that I am always more than happy to share any knowledge I may have. I'm just lucky enough to be surrounded by a lot of very knowledgable people who are more than willing to take the time to teach me.

I'm so glad that our appointment went well. For you and for me. Dr Baker was really in rare form, yesterday. He is always informative but not always quite as light hearted and sociable. I could have died when he told you that you could only eat "Hazelnuts! " *L* I'm really so excited about the changes he talked about regarding their practice and I so hope they will see fit to find me a little niche in amongst the changes.

I'm sure this step feels a bit un-nerving to you but I honestly have a really good feeling about it. I hope you do too. Don't let anything anyone may say to you cause you to feel bad about this decision. None of this is anyone's "fault". As Dr Baker explained they really think this is something that just happens to many over time. Your pouch isn't working like it was made to work and it basicly just needs a "tune-up".

It is a struggle to maintain even if your tool is working like it is supposed to but that struggle is compounded, when it isn't. You aren't having these problems because of mistakes or bad decisions you have made. So don't let that inner voice tell you differently. You know what you need to do to get back on track and I am so proud of the changes you have already made. You are worth doing this right and having Dr Baker do the Sclerotherapy is what I honestly feel is right. I hope you do too.

Let me know when it is scheduled. Hopefully it isn't while I'm off on vacation because I really would like to be available if your DH would like someone to sit with him.

...and my dear lady, you didn't come across as a "hickerbiliie" *L* You fit right in and it honestly felt like we had been really good friends for years.

I'm excited for you. I honestly am!

....now go and enjoy that new canoe of yours!

SDeRossett · 06-28-2008, 09:35 PM

Duckie:

I'm so sorry, I don't have any pictures.

I told Beth the other day that I was not going to bring my camera as I just had a wisdom tooh pulled a week prior and was still slightly swollen and slightly brused. Probably not so noticable to others but it is to me. I do regret not taking it now, because I would like to have a couple pic's of meeting Beth.

As far as my first appointment, it was to discuss Sclerotherapy. Basically the opening out of my pouch is too large and my pouch is too large, so through Sclerotherapy they will attempt to scar down the opening out and hopefully I will not feel like I'm starving all the time. I have gained a few pounds over the winter and this year I can't seem to shake them off as in the past. So I'm a little concerned and I want to nip this in the bud before 10 pounds turns into 50.

Beth:

I'm feeling pretty good about this and I will definately let you know when I have a date. I hope it's not too far down the road though. Hopefully I'll hear something on Monday. I had a great time too, and I am sooo sorry for the mix-up. I should have just called and let you know that I was early. I'm so sorry. The vist was great though.

We didn't use the canoe today, but we did go fishing and had a lot of fun even though we got rained on several times. We just finished assembling the canoe this morning. I asked DH to wait until I got home so I could help put it together.

Well after the long trip yesterday, not getting to bed until midnight the night before and getting up at 4:30 this morning, I'm beat, so I hope you guys all have a great evening. Talk to ya soon!

Sharon

Godsblessedme · 06-28-2008, 10:16 PM

awww Sharon i'm so glad the appt went so well. i cant wait to hear more and more about an upcoming date. i think you mentioned that its not covered on insurance

that really stinks.

aww i'm jealous too i'm glad ya'll got to meet

MiladyB · 06-28-2008, 10:17 PM

Oh Sharon, the 'mix-up' was no big deal. Hey, I got to visit with an old man and hear all about catfish. What could have been better??

I'm glad you are feeling pretty good about the appointment. I hope it is soon too. I suspect you will hear from them on Monday. They usually are pretty prompt when it comes to scheduling.

I'm glad to hear you had a nice relaxing day with DH, despite the rain. After the last long days you two needed some time to just relax together.

Well I better push off to bed too. I'll talk to you soon.

SDeRossett · 06-29-2008, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godsblessedme

awww Sharon i'm so glad the appt went so well. i cant wait to hear more and more about an upcoming date. i think you mentioned that its not covered on insurance

that really stinks.

aww i'm jealous too i'm glad ya'll got to meet

Thanks Deborah,

I will keep you updated too! I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression, this procedure is the one covered by my insurance. The ROSE and the stomafix (sp?) are the two that are not covered.

Beth is the first person from TT that I've got to meet, and it was nice to be able to share with someone face to face. After chatting on line for over a year now, it was like we were just 2 old friends getting together to visit. I wish you were closer too so we could meet.

Thank goodness we at least have the internet and the opportunity to share our lives with each other this way. It's always great to be able to come here and be able to get views and opinions, and have others who can relate to things going on with GBS/weight loss issues. I am truly grateful to have found this site and all the folks I've had the opportunity to visit with on line.

Sharon

SDeRossett · 06-29-2008, 04:18 AM

[quote=MiladyB;306919]Oh Sharon, the 'mix-up' was no big deal. Hey, I got to visit with an old man and hear all about catfish. What could have been better??

LOL. Yes we both got to visit with some real characters! You already know what my two biggest giggles are. It was neat to listen to people sharing about their journey(s) though.

Sharon

MiladyB · 06-29-2008, 08:08 PM

Yep, it often is an interesting experience sitting in Dr Baker's office. *L* Actually, I usually kind of enjoy myself.

If the office calls tomorrow, Sharon make sure you ask them about your follow-up appointment. I'm sure they can work something out so you don't need to drive all the way down here for like a 20 min appointment. See if it can be handled with one of the PAs or nurses over the phone or see if you can let them know by email how it is going.

SDeRossett · 06-30-2008, 03:02 AM

Oh yes. Thank you for reminding me.

Oh and by the way, while still not pain free, no motrin yesterday! Hopefully, I'm done with that.

Sharon