First Clinical Visit at New Doc

OK, I went to my first clinical vist at the new doc I'm going to.  It was very good and I am much happier than where I was before while investigating the lapband.  My insurance coordinator told me I wouldn't have any problems - Anthem BCBS has been approving the sleeve since the beginning of the year.  The nurse educator is a 4-yr post-op RNY, and was very blunt yet encouraging. 

I am still scared and anxious about what my friends will think.  My partner of 23 years is being very supportive.  She suggested an appointment with our family therapist (we have 2 now-grown kids).  SO, I tensed up thinking she was telling me to go talk to somebody about this BUT she meant for us BOTH to go so we could talk about what I'd be going through and how to be most supportive.  Aww...

I have work and vacation committments in July and August.  I'm worried that the end of May would be too soon for a vacation over the 4th of July?  We are going with friends and I am freaked that they would see me struggling with food and think I've really screwed up.  I'm a nut, right?  Thanks for listening!

Good luck to you.  I went to family camp 3 weeks after surgery and then to Mexico 2 months after surgery and no problem either time!  I would go for it as soon as you can...the sleeve is the best thing that I have ever done for me and I think you will love it!  you are very blessed to have such a supportive partner.  Wishing you lots of luck on your journey.

Patty

All the best to you! You're gonna get mixed reviews on when you should/shouldn't based on your summer commitments. My opinion is you can never be too sure on recovery time and it's different with each individual. At 5 weeks, I am finally almost pain free. In addition to WLS, there were unexpected hernia repairs, and my liver was bruised. In addition to that, I pulled a muscle at the main incision around week 3 1/2, and had some nerve damage from the On Q pump (it heals around weeks 4-5 and is painful) and went back on pain meds. I've had 4 c-sections and countless other surgeries, so I'm not a stranger to the pain of surgeries. Also, I scheduled during a time where I knew we wouldn't be taking any trips for at least 8 weeks, as I wanted to get used to all the eating phases and not have any surprises or upsets. I've done enough reading on here to know that each phase can be different from the previous. Thankfully, I've had no nausea or vomiting thru any of this. However, I tried just a small bite of beens my husband brought home yesterday that had very tiny bits of beef in them and dry heaved. My tummy is just not ready for the stronger, heavier stuff (beef) even with the tiniest of bites. I didn't even realize there was beef in them, so accidents can happen. Also, I had scheduled to go back to work after 2 weeks and that turned into 4. I overdid things the first day back, then took a couple of days more at home. You just never know.

So, my advice is, think thru it. If I had $ invested in trips, I'd prob go have a blast, and schedule the surgery for afterwards. I'm not a pessimist by far, but after my experience of thinking I could breeze thru this, it has taught me that I can't always be super woman

Best of luck with whatever you decide! We are here for you!

Hi Happy, I have no advice for your vacation, since I have not had my surgery yet either. But I wanted to comment on how awesome it is that your partner is there to support you! That is just great!

Your partner sounds like a wonderful person! I too am hoping for surgery towards the end of May and we have a family reunion at the end of June and possibly a beach trip in July. So I'm not sure. I'm not going to put it off if I can get it scheduled though. Depending on how I feel I just may have to beg off the reunion. But I have hopes it will all be ok.