Annievvho

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So, since I last posted, a lot has happened!

To start, I completed my sleep study, which came back as a negative for sleep apnea (I have periods of shallow breathing, but my OSAT stays within normal range, so no problem). Then I had my consultation appointment with the psychologist. That went well, but we didn't cover everything necessary in one appointment, so I had to schedule a follow up. The same day as my consult with the psychologist, I had a consult with the dietician, which also went very well. The psychologist didn't have any available follow up appointments until October 16th that day, so he put me on a cancelation list. I had a follow up with the Nurse Practitioner in the middle of September, and I had met my 20 pound goal (YAY!), and she said all we were waiting on was the completion of the psychological evaluation. I got the call late in September that there was a cancelation, and was able to complete my psychological evaluation, and I was determined to be less-than-too-crazy-for-bariatric-surgery. Two days later, the nurse practitioner called me to tell me I didn't need to be seen for any more follow ups because everything was complete, and the practice manager would be sending my packet off to the insurance that day! About a week later, I called to check to see how long I should expect to wait for authorization, and the practice manager told me that he had just gotten the approval from my insurance, and sent my chart down to scheduling. Ahh! So exciting! So I waited what seemed like FOREVER (a week) for scheduling to call me, and they set me up for November 29th (the day after Thanksgiving) . I have a 2 week pre-op liver shrinking diet consisting of 2 slim fasts and 1 lean cuisine every day, so it will be a lame Thanksgiving, but in the grand scheme of things, I am fine with that. I was really hoping to get my surgery in before the end of the year, so I don't have to start over with a new deductible next year, so I'll take it! I am so excited. Now, I'm making sure I am ready to go post-op with the vitamins and supplements I will be needing. Ahh! 36 days!

I should start with a little back story I suppose. I've struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. Every major life event I've had has been tainted by the fact that I hate my weight/size for so many reasons. I've lost weight in the past, but never as much as I want and never without gaining it back - and then some. I addressed my concerns with my PCP in May, and he told me the only successful, long term treatment for obesity is weight loss surgery. He referred me to Carilion's bariatric surgery department. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised. I had considered the surgery in the past, but I had been overwhelmed with discussing it with my doctor. I thought for sure he wouldn't support that decision. But my doctor referred me, and I was scheduled for an educational seminar for June 11. I attended that session, which was the second such seminar I had attended. I had homework to complete paperwork, and call my insurance, which I did ASAP, and received a call from the office very quickly. I was really impressed at the speed with which they got back to me. I was scheduled for my first appointment with a surgeon and the nurse practitioner on July 17. During that first, very long, appointment we went over all the information I had given them in the packets I had returned, and gave a detailed medical history. They also provided me with some information, and quizzed me on my knowledge about the procedure I want, the VSG. They set up and scheduled EVERYTHING for me at that appointment, except they told me I would need to get in touch with the dietician myself. They scheduled me with the psychologist, and sent referrals for surgical scheduling for an upper endoscopy and for a sleep study. They also told me they expected me to lose 20 pounds, and I had to sign a weight contract stating that I understood I needed to lose 20 pounds and would be dismissed from the practice if I gained weight. I was scheduled for the upper endoscopy on Aug 6, and everything was fine with that. I received a call from the sleep lab, which sent me paperwork, and after I returned that, they scheduled me for Aug 26 for my sleep study. I called the dietician who said there was no point meeting me yet because I had to lose 20 pounds, so she said we'd see where we stood after my first weight check - she'd schedule something for me if I had lost 10 pounds, otherwise we'd just see how things progressed. I had an appointment for a follow up/weight check with the nurse practitioner on Aug 15, and I was down 12 pounds! I got to schedule my appointment with the dietician for Aug 30 - which is the same day as my appointment with the psychologist. So by the end of August, the only requirement I will have left to meet will be to lose the rest of the 20 pounds and anything required by the psychologist and sleep lab! I don't think it will be long now!