First Appointment with Surgeon

Oct 27, 2017

Today was the day! I was so anxious I couldn't sleep last night! I left my first appointment knowing I made the right choice; not only to have the surgery, but even as far as my surgeon goes. 

We discussed a lot. I legitimately showed up with a notebook I had written questions down in. I guess we should start with the beginning... I lost another pound in less than a week, so that was great. That's 17lbs down from my highest weight. I've left the 360's, and the 350's! 

The nurse was very nice, as was the surgeon. When he came in he told me that we were going to start with any questions I had for him. I whipped out my notebook and asked, "Are you sure?" Haha. I opened with me asking him about me having acid reflux in the past. I had lost my voice for 6 months and no one could figure out why. Finally an ENT specialist informed me that I was having acid reflux in my sleep and it was irritating and eroding my esphogus. Anyhow, I told him about that because I know that reflux and GERD can be a real issue with the sleeve. What I didn't know was that bypass actually helps relieve those issues. I asked many many other questions. I won't bore you with the gory details, though.

The surgeon would like to get me in to see the dietician before the end of the month, since I have to have 6 consecutive months of meetings with her before I can get approval. I am to see my local physician next month, then I will see my surgeon again in December. My surgeon would like to do my endoscopy in December as well. He did inform me not to do my psychiatric evaluation until we are much closer to the surgery, because they expire after 90 days. 

He told me I am an ideal candidate!! I was SO happy to hear that. 6 months... it seems so close, yet so far away! I haven't decided if now is the time to reveal my decision to my friends, or not. Any pointers there? I'm not keeping anything secret, and I actually intend to be quite public with my journey... I want to help break the mold, and break that stigma that goes along with WLS.

Also, I could use some tips here. My surgeon told me that so long as my endoscopy comes back showing no permanent damage, and no pre-cancerous cells, it is up to me which procedure to have. I have been trying to weigh the pros and cons of each... and I am so balanced on them. Part of me wants to say just do RNY because of the acid reflux risk. Not only that but I have considerable weight to lose, so it would make more sense to me to do the one that offers the most weight loss. Plus, it is the oldest procedure. As far as the sleeve, there is less risk regarding malnourishment, so that's a huge benefit. It just seems less scary. Ideas? Tips? Pointers?

Anyhow, that's my update! Hope everyone is doing well!!

-Kim

HW: 365
CW: 348

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