Heather K.

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I finally got my surgery date!! May 18th! Yay! I go in on April 18th for my appointment with Dr. Barker and Ms. Boone, and my pre-op appointment is on May 13th! I am so excited, but at the same time, scared. It's been so long since I've started the process that it seemed like it was never going to get here! I can't believe I start fasting on May 4th.. Wow.. 

So I got the call from the surgeon's office earlier this week, letting me know that my surgeon wont be deploying after all and that my decision appointment will be on January 3rd! Woohoo! Since I've already been approved by both the health psychologist and the nutritionist on the first try, I fully expect to be approved and hopefully get my surgery date on the third! Dr. Barker has already said he doesn't see any reason why I shouldn't get the surgery, so lets hope the rest of the process goes as quickly and easily as it has so far. Hope everyone has a great Winter Solstice!

So I was approved on the first try on the 15th of November by my health psychologist, and the next day by the nutritionist. I was all excited to see my surgeon again and possibly get a date, but when I called to schedule my appt I was told that my surgeon has been deployed and I will have to see another doctor for the rest of the process. While I've only seen Dr. Barker once, he seemed like the perfect doctor for me, and I am very nervous about having to switch doctors. As if that isn't enough, I was also told that since all of his patients have to be reassigned to new doctors, there is now a waiting list of more than 15 people who are also waiting to see a new surgeon for THEIR follow up as well. Great..*sigh*. So here I am, waiting for the call from the Bariatric Clinic, telling me who my new doctor is and when I will see them. :o\ Here's to hoping I'll get in soon to see them..

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and holiday season!

So I've had the night to think about what all we discussed at my first appointment with the surgeon. He was very nice, and straightforward. He was a fast-talker, like me, so I completely understood him. lol. It may be harder for some people to understand him, but we speak the same language. lol. I had a big list of questions but he answered most of them before I even asked them.

It was pretty funny when he referred to checking for leaks in my intestines as "blowing it up like a bike tire and checking for bubbles" while explaining the actual procedure. lol. I honestly dont see why everyone says he's so serious. He smiled and actually kind of chuckled a bit during our conversation. He does seem very professional, and he talks quickly but he answered all my questions, and didnt seem in too much of a hurry. There was a bit of a wait, about an hour, but it was worth it. After a month of waiting to go to the appointment, I think I would've waited all day if necessary. lol

The only things that really surprised me were the two week pre-op liquid diet, and the fact that I dont have to lose any weight before surgery.. I wasn't expecting the liquid diet before surgery to be nearly that long. I've only heard of a week at most, but if that's what I need to do to get this surgery, I will do it, no matter how grouchy it makes me. I was also expecting to have to lose some weight before surgery, but he said I'm fine as long as I don't gain. My goal is to lose at least ten pounds before he gives me my surgery date. I have my first appointment with the Nutritionist, Chris Zirpoli, on the 16th of November, and I can schedule my psych appointment next week sometime. My goal is to be one of their easiest patients through this whole process.

Dr. Barker said I don't have to really do anything but go to the two appointments for approval, and I can go in for my "decision" appointment with him. He said he doesn't see any problems with me getting the surgery whatsoever, so after the decision appointment, where he'll give me the surgery date, I only see him one more time before surgery to talk about the pre-op diet. I am not looking forward to two weeks of clear, calorie free liquids, but he says it will make the surgery so much easier and will help prevent complications. He prescribed me some iron pills, because I'm naturally anemic, and told me to come back after I get approval from the health psychologist and Nutritionist. I can't wait to see how my appointment with the nutritionist goes. She seems really strict.. I'm kinda nervous. If anyone has had her before, please let me know what you thought of her..

I went to my first nutrition class, and my first appointment with my surgeon today. It went great! I actually made him smile, and everyone says he's so serious! lol. He said it looks like everything should go smoothly for me.  He agrees that Gastric bypass looks like the best option for me, and I have my appointment with the nutritionist on November 16th. I hope it goes just as easily as my appointment with the surgeon!

I have my first appointment with Dr. Barker tomorrow morning at 10:30 and I am so excited! I have my EKG, all my papers filled out, my list of questions, and hopefully my hubby will be able to come along, as well, so we can get that covered right away. We have a pretty busy day tomorrow.. Getting new windows at 8am, there's a nutrition class that starts at 9am in Portsmouth, and I'm hoping to be able to attend, though I'll need to leave a few minutes early. I just want to make sure Dr. Barker, and Miz Barnes know I am serious and dedicated to doing this the right way. I want to make this process as easy as possible. Lets hope all goes well tomorrow!!

Wish me luck!

I have already been to my four hour orientation class and have done my labs, chest x-ray, and EKG. My first appointment with the actual surgeon is on October 22nd.

I am super excited, and cant wait to move forward!!

Can anyone tell me what exactly happens at your first office visit with the surgeon??

My name is Heather. I am a military wife and a mother. My daughter will be two November 27th. I am a stay at home mom and daycare provider. My daughter loves having other kids around to play with and it gives me something to do during the day.

I have struggled with my weight my entire life, and I've decided that it's time to do something before I start developing some serious health problems. Like many people who are extremely overweight, I've tried pretty much every diet in the book, and I've stopped and started with the whole exercise bit over and over. I know if I dont do something drastic to change the way I live, I wont be alive much longer. I want to be around to see my daughter and maybe my grandkids grow up some day.

I have recently started the process of getting Gastric Bypass surgery. I have Tricare medical insurance through the military so my healthcare is 100% paid for, nothing out of pocket, so I figure there's nothing holding me back from getting this surgery and starting a new life. I know I'll have to change how I live and I'm okay with that. I just want to be healthy and happy. How I look doesnt even really factor in at this point. I'd just like to be able to play with my daughter without getting winded, or walk up the stairs to my second story apartment without sweating to death.. I'm prepared for all the changes, and I know it'll be hard but I am 100% certain it will all be worth it in the end. If it gives me even one more day with my friends and family, I'll take it and be happy!

If you've had or will have this surgery I would be more than happy to talk to you and maybe learn something about this whole process! I would love any advice or experiences you would like to share with me!

Thanks,

Heather