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Just got in from my surgeon's consultation.

First, the obligatory weigh-in.  I did gain some weight.  I am now 351 pounds.  That is up 4 from my last nutritionist appointment.

Met with my surgeon, Dr. Johnson, for about 20 minutes or so.  He explained what would happen.  He did mention I do have gallstones, which means that, in addition to my WLS, he will be taking my gallbladder, as well.  But, he did not see any indicators (at this time)  that would preclude me from having both procedures done laparoscopically.  I did mention to him about the burn scar on my stomach (I drank hot coffee at about 18 months old).  He briefly examined it, and said that he didn't see that to be an issue either.

Then, I met with the scheduling coordinator.  She told me the pre-op testing would be done a few weeks prior to surgery.  Then, she asked me when I wanted the surgery.  She did mention that the date I would be given would be a provisional date, which would be my real date, pending insurance approval.  I took his first open date which is (drumroll please.....)

March 2, 2009!!!

I had what could be my last pre-WLS appointment with my PCP yesterday.

First off, I weighed in at 347 pounds again.  I can't say I'm disappointed with my weight, since it is the same as Oct. 6, at my last NUT appointment.  The big thing was actually being weighed at the office.  I hadn't been able to have that done for quite a number of years.

I remembered to ask him about the medications I was on, and what to do about them after surgery.  He told me to stop taking all medications I am currently on until about 1 month after surgery.  He would do blood work at that time, to determine if I still needed any of them.  He did say the one he would, at this juncture, recommend I keep taking is the furosemide.

I then reminded him I occasionally took Naproxen for pain relief.  He said to definitely not take it any more, and that, when the time came, he would get me on something that is not as harmful to my stomach.

I must admit, that, after yesterday, I respect my PCP even more.  He recommended I start my WLS journey back in May, and I saw him in August, too.  I was unsure how much knowledge he had regarding WLS.  I now think, based on his responses, that he is at least somewhat familiar with the process, and what effect my current medications would have on my system, post-op.

I had been waiting for 2 weeks since my last niutritionist appointment for the surgeon's office to call and schedule my consultation.  So, I called today, myself.

They said they had tried to call me last Monday (the 13th), but I wasn't home, so they left a message (which I never got).

I did schedule my consult, for December 1, at 1:45 pm.  I am so excited!!!

Well, once again, I was worried, and, once again, it was all for nothing.

I weighed in at 347.4 pounds today.  That was down 7 pounds from my second nutritionist appointment, and almost 27 pounds from the first one.  Andrea (my nutritionist) said everything looked good, and that she APPROVED me for surgery.  She then went over the liquid diet I would be on when I go home after surgery.

Next step she says is my consultation with the surgeon, and I will then get my surgery date!!!

I was so worried all day about my psych eval, which was at 3 this afternoon.  I don't know what it was I was so worried about.

The psychiatrist and I chatted for a whole 10 minutes.  Yes, 10 minutes from start to finish!  Nothing major, either.  He just asked me a few questions about the forms I filled out, and that was that.

Quick, simple, and MAJOR hurdle #1 cleared!!

Man, I have had some luck with my psych eval!

First, as I said earlier, my first one (originally for 10/6, with my bariatric center's psychologist) was cancelled, because the psychologist is going to be out of town.  They sent me a letter telling me this, and giving me a list of alternate providers to contact to make one.

I called the first one on the list, which is affiliated with the same hospital system my surgeon is with.  I figured this would be the safest bet I could make.  Boy, was I wrong!  I got the appointment, and my insurance referral, only to be contacted by the office a few days later.  They told me they don't accept my insurance!!  So, back to the list I went.

At the same time, I had to straighten out something with my insurance (http://www.preferredcare.org).  When I called, I also made mention of the doctor's issue.  I told them what was going on, and, instead of having my PCP call in the referral, they did it for ME, right over the phone!  With referral number in hand, I called and made my appointment!  This time, the psych eval is scheduled for October 2, at 3 pm.

A minor setback today, which turned into good news!

Got a letter from my surgeon's office when I got home this afternoon.  Turns out that due to the psychiatrist being out of the office that day, they had to cancel my psych eval.  They did give me a list of people who do them, though.

So, I made a call, and got one scheduled.  That one is not on the day of my last NUT appt, but, rather before that!  It is now scheduled on 9/22, at 3pm.

I don't know what I had to worry about.  Things went very smoothly at the nutritionist this afternoon.

First was the weigh-in.  I weighed in at 353.6 pounds.  According to Andrea (my nutritionist), I have already hit the 5% that my insurance (Preferred Care) requires for surgery.  I was so psyched when she told me that, and I still am :)

We re-examined my goals, and I do have some stuff to work on.  I need to chew my food thoroughly, to an applesauce consistency.  She also wants me to start eating SF Jello and pudding, which is no big deal.  The big one is learning not to drink until 30 minutes after I eat.

The main thing she said is that if I get those things under control, if I at least maintain my weight, if not keep losing, and, of course, if I keep exercising and turn in my food logs to her next appointment, she would have no problem signing off on my having WLS! :)

Well today is the day of my second NUT appointment.  So far, according to the scales at the Diabetes & Weight management Center (I weighed in there on 9/2), I am down 15 pounds from my first NUT appointment.  That makes me 358 pounds.  Hopefully, I have kept losing in the interim week.

Will post more this afternoon or evening, after the appointment.  Wish me luck!

Well, its early evening, and I am relaxing after my first nutritionist appointment.

When they called people in to weigh in (there were 7 people in the seminar besides me, I happened to be the first one they called back!

My official WLS start weight is 373 pounds.  Since I last was weighed on Monday, I dropped 2 more pounds!!

Once we got in the seminar, I had a brief scare.  Hospital policy had changed just last week, and if you didn't have concrete proof you had seen a nutritionist before, you had to go through a 6 month nutrition program.  WHEW!  I got THAT one covered in spades! ;-)

She informed us that while the center did not have a set weight loss requirement before surgery, some insurance providers (mine included) do have a 5% requirement.  And, my insurance just so happened to have that requirement, whether I get Lap-band, or RNY. So, I have to lose approximately 19 more pounds.

The nutritionist went over some healthy eating information, and what could and couldnot be eaten after surgery.  We're only allowed 6-8 oz. of caffeinated coffee a day, which sucks, since I usually go into work at 5am! :(

During that, she had us setting some goals for ourselves, which she then signed off on.  My goals are below.  In my opinion, very attainable goals.

Lifestyle Meal Plan Goals :
=====================
1) To eat within 1 hour of waking up in the morning, or on days I work at 5am, to eat as soon as I get into work.
2) To add fruit to a meal at least 2 times a day.
3) To monitor my starch portions.

Physical Activity Goal :
=================
I will commit to treadmill walking as the type of physical activity.
Time: 30 minutes per day                    Frequency: 3 times a week

Eating & Drinking Goals:
===================
1) Decreasing caffeine to between 6-8 oz. a day.
2) Sip drinks and water, and not gulp it down.