Allison B.

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Saw the surgeon today for my final consult and we have scheduled single incision laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for either January 2, 2012 OR January 9, 2012.  The reason for two dates is because he wasn't sure if the OR was scheduling for the day after New Years Day.  It's so close yet so far away!  Haha! 

Found out today (even after receiving a letter stating "deferral of services pending further tests...") that I am approved!  Scheduled my appointments with the trainer for 11/10 and 11/28 and my final consult for 11/10 also.  So, my date should be sometime after 11/28!!!  I am so excited!

OK - as of today, I have had my 1st NUT appointment and my psych eval and completed the requirement of 3 support groups.  I need 2 more NUT appointments and we can submit for insurance.  I have another NUT appointment scheduled for October 13 and then probably another one approximately 4-6 weeks after that one.  I am supposed to be consuming 80 grams of protein a day.  My mom thought that sounded ridiculous until I took her shopping with me and showed her that a Greek yogurt generally has 12-14 grams of protein, a string cheese has 7, a salmon fillet has 14...  Then it didn't seem so crazy to her.  LOL.  It seems like a crazy ride but I am very excited at the destination! 

As of today, I have had my consultation with Dr. Trieu (the surgeon I will see) and I am absolutely in love with him.  I love his demeanor and the way he explained everything to me and he's not too hard on the eyes either!  :)  While I have researched the gazstric bypass through and through, Dr. Trieu suggested gastric sleeve (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) instead.  I feel totally unprepared because I have been researching gastric bypass for years and now the doctor tells me to check out something else.  I have to say that I do like the idea of gastric sleeve because it's a little less invasive that bypass and I have moderate to severe asthma and while the weight loss will likely take care of most of my asthma symptoms I can't be sure of that and with bypass steroids are a no-no.  With gastric sleeve I will still be able to use steroids if the asthma starts kicking my butt and I need a round of steroids.  On the other hand, I am worried that the gastric sleeve won't be severe enough for me and I won't lose as much weight as I want to.  Like...if I am do this life-changing surgery I don't want the option to sabotage myself because with the gastric sleeve you can still eat sweets and things of the such.  I also am not sure if you can lose as much weight as with the bypass - if I am having this surgery I want to lose the most weight I can.  I know - that sounds shallow but it's true and I am trying to be completely honest - bare bones truth!  :)

I have also had pre-op bloodwork done and I have a NUT appointment scheduled for September 7, 2011.  I need to have 3 NUT appointments and 3 support groups but the NUT at my doctor's office runs a support group and if I go to the one she does then it counts as a NUT appointment and a support group!  2 for 1!!  LOL.  I sent for an appointment with the psychologist but I am waiting on an appointment date and time.  Still a lot of stress and planning and dates along with all the stress in my normal day-to-day life.  It's crazy!  I am really happy that this is all coming together and it's becoming a reality but sometimes it seems like a dream when my more pressing reality cuts into my daydreaming.  I guess such is the life of a single mom with 3 kids and baby daddy drama and in the middle of a divorce...  *sigh*

OK...so after trolling this website for about 3-4 years I am finally posting something.  My PCP sent over a referral for the informational seminar on June 8th and today I got a date for the seminar of July 28th.  Well, I called the place that gives the seminar and they said they had one on June 21st but it was a little further away and I said "I'll take it!".  So, I am so antsy and excited thinking that this the first step and that it is really going to happen for me.  Or at least I hope it is really going to happen for me!

On another note, the only thing I am really worried about is passing the psychological evaluation.  I have no idea why I am worrying - i don't drink or do drugs or nor have I ever had a suicide attempt or even suicidal tendencies or thoughts but just thinking that somebody else is going to judge me in an hour or so as to whether or not I am fit for surgery is weird...