ObesityHelp

Well, I was banded as scheduled on Nov 19, 2008. Dr. Warnock also removed my gall bladder, due to gall stones, and repaired a hiatal hernia. Fun times.

I spend the night of the 19th in the hospital and was discharged on the 20th. Dave and I stayed that night in the Rathgeber Hospitality House. Wonderful place. I had an appt on the 21st with Dr. Warnock, where he just looked me over and said I was good to make the 3 hour drive home. :)

Recovery went well. Until Wed the 26th. Man oh man. The gas pain was horrible and I really was second guessing my choice. Thursday I was much better and it's all been gravy from there. I am finally feeling like my "normal" self. I'm still a bit tender, but that's ok.  I do seem to have developed a wicked stitch in my right side today, but I'm hoping a little heating pad therapy will take care of that. :)

I checked online today and the surgery request has been approved!! 

Now I just need to double check hubby's schedule and set a date. WHOO HOO!!

So, my consult was Tuesday. It was a LONG day. We live about 2 1/2 hrs from the dr I wanted to see. We left here about 12 and got home around 9:45. LONG DAY!!! :)

However, Dr. Warnock was great. Everything about the office, his interaction with me, and his staff just re-enforced my decision to choose him.  I met with him, he explained the Lapband procedure and risks. He asked if I wanted him to tell me about bypass and I said no thank you. :)

He said I need to lose down to 280 before we can do the surgery. He wants me to exercise 45 min every day and follow a pre-op diet.  So, from here until surgery I'm doing 2 protein shakes a day and one salad with 4 oz of lean protein. I can only use the spray dressing, which is fine. I am supposed to drink only water, crystal light and decaf coffee or tea. Today was day 1 and so far so good.

They put the referral in for the surgery on Tuesday and they said to expect approval in  a couple weeks. They also said that I could be in for surgery  the end of November/begining of December.

I am super stoked.

So, today was my appt with my PCM to get a referral to a bariatric surgeon.  When I told him I was there to get a referral for the lapband surgery he said "I'm a big fan of weight loss surgery:. WHOO HOO!!!

He had no problem putting the referral in. He even asked me if I had a specific dr in mind, which I did. There is a dr or two in town that do bariatric surgery however, I would rather go to another dr farther away, based solely on lapband experience. So, he's going to put in for that dr.

I should be receiving a letter in the mail soon with my referral approval fairly soon. :)

I am so excited!!!!