Surgeon's consult

Apr 08, 2010

I had my appointment with my surgeon today. I was so nervous on the way there, reality is starting to set in and I am another step closer to surgery. Got to the office and turned in my packet of paperwork I had filled out, handed over my DL and insurance card. Sat down and there was a lady in the waiting room along with me. She asked if I was a new patient of Dr. Ferrari and I said yes. She said "Your in great hands, he is an amazing doctor he did my surgery 8 years ago and I had to come back and have it re-done because I didn't eat right after wards the first time." And went on and on about how great Dr. Ferrari was. So that made me reassured some more. I had read reviews online about Dr. Ferrari and I have yet to find a negative comment!

They called me back and weighed me, which I lost 2lbs since my last doctor's appointment which was cool! And took my blood pressure. Brought me into the exam room, the assistant asked over some of the answers I had given in the packet. Found out I have to do 7 visits to my doctor not 6 like I thought. Which is fine. I have other fulfillments to meet anyways for insurance so one more doctor's appointment is fine. My goal is to have everything done by the middle of May.

Then Dr. Ferrari came in and met him. Really nice guy. Asked some general questions. Asked why I wanted surgery, did I know about the surgery I was choosing, explained things about the surgery, what to expect, etc. Explaining the key to success is making healthy eating habits and healthy life choices for life. Which I totally agree with. Whether I have this surgery or not, I know I will have to deal with food the rest of my life. He looked over my information. I was kind of shocked he didn't lecture me about still smoking. I told him my goal is my April 30th to be smoke free. I am down to 5 a day now or sometimes less. He made no remark that I had to smoke free X amount of weeks prior to surgery so that kind of lessens the pressure a little bit. He did a quick exam of my stomach, not sure what he was really looking for, guess I didn't think to ask until I thought of it now LOL. He told me with my young age, no prior surgeries and commitment I have that the surgery should be a success and he things 100lb weight loss for sure. I can't imagine it honestly. Pinch me I would feel like I was dreaming! I would have to stay in the hospital two days. Which I knew prior. Once I complete insurance requirements we can submit, get approved and get a surgery date set. Was a rather short and sweet visit. Guess I was expecting it to be a lot longer, but then again I had no idea what to expect!

After I was done with Dr. Ferrari I met with his assistant who gave me my "homework" assignments. Which basically is the remaining requirements needed for insurance. I have to complete a nutritional eval, a psych eval, get a full panel of bloodwork, schedule to get an EKG and ultrasound of my gallbladder, complete my two remaining appointments with Dr. Burns. My goal is to have all this complete by the middle of May which gives me a little over a month to do. And with the next two weeks with me basically not being able to do any medical appointments leaves me about two to three weeks after to get them done. I think it can be done. And I asked the assistant if Cigna insurance is pretty quick with approving and she said it's one of the quicker ones, so that was a sigh of relief. I really hope I can get this all done by the middle of May, we can submit and get my surgery scheduled for June. Crossing my fingers! Just another step closer.

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