Have my first surgeons appt.. feeling real now.

I have not be posting, a lot of bad stuff going on in my life, but i have to get on with it :)   I did bug the staff long enough to finally get my first surgeons appt... I went to the seminar on April 7 in springfield, so its really just been 3 months, so it could have definitely been longer.  It is with Dr De La Torre on July 19th.  I have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in the last few weeks and am waiting on my titration, so it is my third study and will get a machine then... I was just wondering what to expect on the first appt, the nurses told me he will decide if i am ok for the surgery and if so, will them send it to the insurance waiting for approval. How much weight will they expect me to have lost in the 3 months since the seminar?  I know he works with Dr Scott a lot and I know from the board he is very good as well...  any advice would be appreciated...

The first time I met Dr De La Torre was at the full-day class - after I got approval from insurance.  He did a very short exam, confirmed I understand the procedure and allowed his nurse to set a surgery date for me.  It was my primary physician who set me up for all the tests insurance would want and I went on the HMR 6-month Dr. supervised diet program.  De La Torre's office staff took all the info and submitted it to insurance and handled it from there. During the 6-month supervised diet I lost 35 pounds, but was still had a BMI of 48.  From what I've read and heard the need to go on a diet prior to the surgery has more to do with how your fat is distributed, in other words if you are pear shaped where you can feel your ribs and perhaps even have some sort of waist you may not have to diet prior to the surgery.  This is my case, I was given no food restrictions prior to surgery except for the obvious night before surgery limitations.  If you are shorter, more round or have alot of weight above the waist this may be the reason the doctor recommends the diet.  Have you been watching the new TV show "Big Medicine", it showed an extreme example of how difficult the fat and omentum (Dr. Oz taught me that one) can make it for the surgeon to get to your organs. I've also heard that those who diet prior to surgery lose weight better/faster since your stomach is already reduced in size, the mad cravings have subsided and perhaps you are even getting some exercise in so you can be ready to walk the halls after surgery. Good luck with the dr. appt. don't worry, they'll hold your hand through the process of getting approved.

Hi! I have Dr. Scott, but your dr did the seminar I attended in February. I met with my surgeon and another dr (resident, I think) for a total of maybe 15 minutes. A 16 hr round trip for a 15 minute meeting - ugh! But, it will be SO worth it when I have surgery August 6. I have to go on liquid diet on July 23. It is interesting how different docs require different things! But, they are the experts and know what they are doing. I have heard different trains of thought on the liquid diet thing - one is that the dr wants to know if you are serious about this weight loss and are willing to endure the liquid diet for it. And, the other thought is that the diet helps your liver to shrink before surgery, which makes things easier. Either way, I am gonna be such a good girl and WILL obey! HA! Anyway, best, best best! wishes to you, I think the UM staff will take good care of us! God bless! LaNeta

LaNeta you bring up a good point, perhaps since I was on the HMR program for 6-months, part of which I did total liquids, they know I'm up for what comes after surgery.  I think there is truth to the benefit of shrinking your stomach prior to surgery so even though its not required I'm probably going to do HMR shakes at least some of the time prior to surgery.

Hi Tammy! From what I understand about the liquid diet, it is to help shink the liver to make the WLS easier for the patient and the surgeon. I am SO excited for surgery day on august 6! Woo hoo! Have a great weekend! LaNeta