Checking in again

Hello all.. not sure you remember me anymore!

I was ready for my RNY in December and finishing up my preoperative tests when it was discovered I had a 95% blockage in my left ascending coronary artery.    I had an angioplasty and stent placed and I am well on the road to health.  Nothing like a good health scare to get you in line.

The first cardiologist who saw me in the hospital told me I could have my RNY in June, but alas, it was not meant to be.  My permanent cardiologist said I had to wait until 1 year passed since the stent placement, which places my surgery in December, mid to late December.

I contacted my RNY surgeon and he said he won't bring me back into the program until the cardiolgist gives me the all clear in December and... I will have to start another 6 month diet then to get insurance approval!   I asked him to let me get back into the program and do everything I need to so that I can have the surgery in December, but he seems skittish about it and won't let me do it.

I cannot begin to explain how much of a letdown this all is!  I've lost 34 lbs since the stent placement, which is great, but I have so much more to lose!   This extra weight is putting me at risk for more problems than ever now.  

Does anyone have any idea how I can get my surgery to reconsider his stand on this ?    I just need to do my preop tests again and see the shrink and I'm done.  I have an appointment to see my doctor again to begin yet another 6 months diet.    I could just cry.

There are so many posts out here since I was here last (In March) that I think I'll just start from today and start reading so I can catch up with you all.

It's nice to be back...and I'll do my best to get here more often.

Linda

Can't you get started with the 6 month diet with your pcp?  Are you sure the insurance will make you do it again.  My insurance required a 6 month with my pcp but, it didn't have to be the 6 months just before.  Mine used her tracking me when I had gone thru Atkins the year or two before.

Good Luck.  You would think they would want you to go thru this as soon as you get the go ahead to get you losing.

I've made an appointment with my PCP for next week and will start the diet again.  The surgeon's office said they won't see me until December.  I'll have a few more months under my belt then.

I so need this surgery!  I have completely changed my lifestyle, but this surgery will provide me with the tool I need to really get this weight problem under control.

Linda

I know, firsthand, just how excited and anxious you are to have your RNY and to get on with your life.  But ultimately it will be your doctors decision as to when you can have the surgery, and that not only protects them, but you as well.  I'm sure that they have your best interest at heart and want to do the right thing by everyone concerned.  Good luck to you....

Linda, first off let me welcome you back. You are remembered and you have been missed also. 

I know that right now you see nothing but disappointment but really and truly the time will go by fast. 

I would follow up with the pcp and see if they can do something about the 6 month food plan. I am sure that it could be at any time. My endocrinologist just put on his monthly visits that I was following my food plan and doing well with it. He did that while I was sitting there one visit. He went all the way back and added it. See...there are ways to do things. 

I can see the disappointment with the waiting for the December but really it is for your own good. Your surgeon is being safe and would you really want him to be anything but that? I know it seems like a million years away but really you will be much better off health wise if you wait and do what the doctors think best. 

Keep up posted on how things are going and please post more often because we always like to know what is happening with our OFF family. And you are no exception. 

I will keep you in my prayers and good thoughts. 

Thanks so much everyone. You are all right of course.  I would not want my surgeon to be any other way! 

My major concern is my health insurance.  They've all but approved it now, and I'm concerned that in 2010, this surgery will not be covered.    I still huff and puff when I walk and am still prediabetic, tho no longer on the meds.  

You are right too that the time will pass by quickly.   It's been 8 months since my stent placement and it seems like yesterday.

I am getting strong, really really strong thru exercise.  I went sailing on Lake Michigan for 5 days and was able to handle all the crewing on the boat and raise the sails with help.    

Thank you all for turning my head in the right direction!  I love you all!!!\

Linda

There is a reason that the morbidity rate and complications rates are so low for such drastic surgery.  The surgeon is protecting his reputation (and your health) by waiting.  When you checked his statistics, you asked how many deaths he reported, right? 

It's wonderful that you have lost those pounds on your own.  If I had managed that, I would have continued on the same program, checking in frequently with my PCP so there was a record just in case.

Here's the thing:  After an RNY, you will be on a diet for the rest of your life, not just for six months.  The body comes back from the forced starvation (RNY) and tries to get back all it lost.  It is up to the owner to do what you are doing now, exercise and dietary restriction.   We may call it a "life style change," but the bottom line is that we control the amount of calories we put in and we control their sources.  Isn't that the definition of a diet?

Right now you are "well on the road to health."  Stay with it!  You may not need to get your guts altered after all!

Linda,

I know first hand, too, how hard it is to get right there and then be told you have to wait and wait.  I think I was given three surgery dates and each one was cancelled because of my low iron, my lungs, and more low iron.  I was so discouraged that when they gave me my final date, I didn't tell anyone because I was certain that something would happen.  In fact, I left stricted orders to Jan not to tell anyone until i was on the operating room table.  Even then, they couldn't get my IV started and I thought they were going to cancel until they finally just did a central line.  My point, don't pu****  Get healthy first and jump those hoops again and when you finally have the surgery, you will survive.    I think your six month diet can be done, though, by your pcp.  Just start it now. 

 

Hi Jeannie

I've taken your advice and once again started a 6 month diet.  I figure the time will pass anyway, so I may as well do the things I need to do. I'll schedule an appointment with the surgeon for the day after I see my cardiologist so I can get the surgery.

I really hope to get it done in December because I'm nervous that my health insurance wont't cver it next year.

I thought by now I'd be about 80 lbs slimmer thru the RNY...but now I'm only 34 lbs slimmer on my own.   ugh