navywife_amanda
Had my initial consult today with Dr Chasen
Mar 04, 2008
It went really well. But I had sooooooo many questions that he was only able to answer about 70% of them. Since I have had gallbladder problems in the past, he is scheduling me for a cholecystectomy ASAP. I go back on Thursday to pick up all the paperwork for my upcoming three procedures: gallbladder removal, EGD and RNY. I'll have to wait six weeks between gallbladder surgery and RNY. So I'm looking at about 8 weeks or so from now for the RNY. Kind of sucks but at least things are moving in the right direction. Plus it gives me a chance to try to lose some weight in order to have an easier surgery later down the road.
Step 3 done AND changed surgeons
Feb 26, 2008
So I phoned the surgical clinic today and voice my preference of Dr Chasen over Dr Frizzi. So I changed my consult to Dr Chasen for March 4. So just a week to go!
Had my nutrition class today too. It was a very informative class, but it wasn't anything I haven't read/heard yet. So I think I'm pretty well prepared as far as that goes. Of course when it comes to actually doing vs knowing after the surgery, that's when the difficulties will come, I know. The one thing I didn't like hearing is that there is no regular follow-up post-op with a nutritionist/dietitian. But we were told that we can make appointments to see a nut post-op if we want to. So even though it isn't built into the program, it is still available as and when needed.
My countdown:
7 days until my consult with Dr Chasen
14 days until my psych evaluation
More pretesting and surgery date yet to be scheduled
Had my nutrition class today too. It was a very informative class, but it wasn't anything I haven't read/heard yet. So I think I'm pretty well prepared as far as that goes. Of course when it comes to actually doing vs knowing after the surgery, that's when the difficulties will come, I know. The one thing I didn't like hearing is that there is no regular follow-up post-op with a nutritionist/dietitian. But we were told that we can make appointments to see a nut post-op if we want to. So even though it isn't built into the program, it is still available as and when needed.
My countdown:
7 days until my consult with Dr Chasen
14 days until my psych evaluation
More pretesting and surgery date yet to be scheduled
Too picky?
Feb 25, 2008
I've posted this on the message board and figured it would be a good addition to my blog:
Ok, here’s the deal… When we arrived in GA early January, I started researching WLS very heavily. I read tons and tons of information online. I visited this website at well as Obesity Help and the ASBS websites for information. I’ve read three books on WLS and have ordered three more. I learned what it means when a practice is designated as a Center of Excellence. So I started looking in my area for surgeons who practice at a CoE. None of them take my insurance, so I found a practice in SC that was up to par with my expectations.
I went to see my PCM for a referral. Easy peasy, she had no problems taking care of that for me. My husband is stationed at an Army base. So when I got a call from the Tricare referral person at the base hospital, she said that there are some great bariatric surgeons who do WLS at the base hospital. I thought “great!” She informed me that the surgery clinic has applied for designation as a Center of Excellence, but the numbers aren’t quite there yet. I thought to myself “well, that’s good” and decided to go ahead and schedule myself for the program at the base hospital.
During the information session I attended on Feb 12, I was able to meet with the chief of bariatric surgery. He’s a really great person, has a great bedside manner and is very compassionate towards people suffering from this terrible disease of obesity. I was hoping against hope that I would be put on his list for a consult. But it didn’t work out that way. I’m scheduled with a different surgeon. While researching on the OH website, I was able to look up surgeons by name and find out information about their bariatric surgery experience. None of the doctors at the base hospital have their stats listed. So I’m going to be asking the surgeon I was placed with what his stats are. I would have done that with any surgeon I went to.
Now here is my dilemma: One of the things I’ve read from several resources has said to choose a surgeon who has performed at least 125 of the surgery you are wanting and whose practice is primarily bariatrics. Some other important factors to me are how long the surgeon has been in practice and what type of bariatric training the surgeon underwent. What if the surgeon I’m scheduled with isn’t “up to par” with what I’m expecting or prefer? Do I then request to switch to the surgeon I met previously? Or do I go ahead and request a referral to a practice where I already have statistics for? Am I over thinking this? Am I being too picky?
ARRGH!!
My consult isn’t until March 7 and this is driving me NUTS!!
Ok, here’s the deal… When we arrived in GA early January, I started researching WLS very heavily. I read tons and tons of information online. I visited this website at well as Obesity Help and the ASBS websites for information. I’ve read three books on WLS and have ordered three more. I learned what it means when a practice is designated as a Center of Excellence. So I started looking in my area for surgeons who practice at a CoE. None of them take my insurance, so I found a practice in SC that was up to par with my expectations.
I went to see my PCM for a referral. Easy peasy, she had no problems taking care of that for me. My husband is stationed at an Army base. So when I got a call from the Tricare referral person at the base hospital, she said that there are some great bariatric surgeons who do WLS at the base hospital. I thought “great!” She informed me that the surgery clinic has applied for designation as a Center of Excellence, but the numbers aren’t quite there yet. I thought to myself “well, that’s good” and decided to go ahead and schedule myself for the program at the base hospital.
During the information session I attended on Feb 12, I was able to meet with the chief of bariatric surgery. He’s a really great person, has a great bedside manner and is very compassionate towards people suffering from this terrible disease of obesity. I was hoping against hope that I would be put on his list for a consult. But it didn’t work out that way. I’m scheduled with a different surgeon. While researching on the OH website, I was able to look up surgeons by name and find out information about their bariatric surgery experience. None of the doctors at the base hospital have their stats listed. So I’m going to be asking the surgeon I was placed with what his stats are. I would have done that with any surgeon I went to.
Now here is my dilemma: One of the things I’ve read from several resources has said to choose a surgeon who has performed at least 125 of the surgery you are wanting and whose practice is primarily bariatrics. Some other important factors to me are how long the surgeon has been in practice and what type of bariatric training the surgeon underwent. What if the surgeon I’m scheduled with isn’t “up to par” with what I’m expecting or prefer? Do I then request to switch to the surgeon I met previously? Or do I go ahead and request a referral to a practice where I already have statistics for? Am I over thinking this? Am I being too picky?
ARRGH!!
My consult isn’t until March 7 and this is driving me NUTS!! Step two.... check!
Feb 12, 2008
Ok, so after seeing my PCM and being referred to the surgery clinic at the hospital on post, I was required to attend a LONG session yesterday. They call it "Super Tuesday." I arrived at general surgery at 1pm with about two dozen other WLS candidates.
My height, weight, BMI and vitals were recorded and I was given a four page information packet to fill out and return to surgery reception. Then I went upstairs to make the appt for the psych consult. That's on for 11 March. Then it was back downstairs for some basic nutrition information about how we should be eating pre-op to make the most of the time before surgery. I'm now keeping a food journal (which I probably should have been doing anyway). I also have a nutrition class on 26 Feb that is geared for WLS patients.
Then we sat in on a two hour long information session with the chief of bariatric surgery. It was great to meet Dr Chasen. Unfortunately they didn't schedule me with him for my surgical consult, which will be 7 March. I'll be seeing Dr Frizzi and will determine if I want to continue with him or switch to Dr Chasen. I still have TONS of questions that need to be answered.
Following the information session with the surgeon, I (along with hubby) attended the WLS support group meeting that is held monthly at the hospital. It was great to meet Florrie Cox and some other ladies who post on the WLS group's yahoo message board.
So now it's another waiting game to complete those other necessary steps.
13 days until the nutrition class
23 days until consult
27 days until psych eval.
I'm ready to do this!
My height, weight, BMI and vitals were recorded and I was given a four page information packet to fill out and return to surgery reception. Then I went upstairs to make the appt for the psych consult. That's on for 11 March. Then it was back downstairs for some basic nutrition information about how we should be eating pre-op to make the most of the time before surgery. I'm now keeping a food journal (which I probably should have been doing anyway). I also have a nutrition class on 26 Feb that is geared for WLS patients.
Then we sat in on a two hour long information session with the chief of bariatric surgery. It was great to meet Dr Chasen. Unfortunately they didn't schedule me with him for my surgical consult, which will be 7 March. I'll be seeing Dr Frizzi and will determine if I want to continue with him or switch to Dr Chasen. I still have TONS of questions that need to be answered.
Following the information session with the surgeon, I (along with hubby) attended the WLS support group meeting that is held monthly at the hospital. It was great to meet Florrie Cox and some other ladies who post on the WLS group's yahoo message board.
So now it's another waiting game to complete those other necessary steps.
13 days until the nutrition class
23 days until consult
27 days until psych eval.
I'm ready to do this!
Step one ..... completed
Feb 06, 2008
I saw my PCP on the 31st of January and it went really well. She was very supportive and had no problems referring me to a surgeon. I decided to stick with the hospital on base. There are three bariatric surgeons and I'm hoping to have my surgery with Dr Chasen. I have to attend a group meeting on the 12th. It's four hours long!! 
So I'm sure I will receive plenty of information and have an opportunity to ask TONS of questions. I'm so excited that I'm finally able to begin this journey.
So I'm sure I will receive plenty of information and have an opportunity to ask TONS of questions. I'm so excited that I'm finally able to begin this journey.
First steps...
Jan 28, 2008
So we're finally back in the US, yay! Hubby is stationed at Ft Gordon, in sunny Georgia. (It's so great to see the sun again!) It took a few weeks to muster up the courage, but I've finally made an appointment with my primary care doctor to discuss WLS. This physician doesn't know me or my history. Hopefully the information in my medical record and from talking to me, she will come to the same conclusion that I and my doctor back in England did... weight loss surgery is going to be the only way I am going to be able to be successful with weight loss and keeping it off. Not to mention that it is going to be the only way for me to have a successful, safe and healthy pregnancy. My number one goal is to be able to have children. I'm 32 and want nothing more than to be a mother. I know that I will need to wait at least a year before attempting pregnancy. That means at least 18-24 months from now, depending on the process here. Wow, I will be 33/34. My clock is seriously ticking. I don't want to wait any longer. I don't want to continue with the "eat less, exercise more" method. I'll never have children if I continue down that path. It has taken me 15+ years to get to the weight I am now. It will take way too long to lose the weight naturally, and I just don't think my ovaries can afford that time.
