Meeting 1: The Consultation

Mar 01, 2012

Today I have my first meeting with Dr. Krahn. I have my list of questions and reading some more on the types of surgeries. I hope all goes well and I feel better about this. I have been getting so nervous because I am acting on this. I will update this post after the meeting this afternoon.

I really like the sleeve, but I am starting to think the RNY is going to be better for me health-wise.

3-2-12:

After running around between doctors yesterday, I can finally relax and start my process. First I met with my Primary yesterday to talk to her about my GERD attacks. I had a severe attack last week that left me not able to eat for a day and a half. The Prilosec is not working for me. So we are trying Prevacid now and getting blood tests. She also told me that I need to consider seeing a Gastroenterologist to get a scope and seeing if there is anything more going on.

After meeting with her, I rushed to my appointment with Dr Krahn's office for the surgery consultation. They weighed me in and told me I have a BMI of 39.1. Then we talked. I told his partner Dr. Chin about my GERD attacks lately. I also talk him that I am interested in the Sleeve but I understand that because of the GERD, I might need to go the route of RNY. He told me that actually, he doesn't see a reason why we couldn't do the Sleeve. But he did say that after all the evaluations and scopes, I may need to go with RNY for my health.

Then...the insurance meeting. This is where my balloon deflated a bit. I am on Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO. The first thing she told me...they require 6 months of weight loss management! I thought PPOs didn't require that. I was wrong. According to her, more and more PPOs are requiring this for acceptance. She said she has seen only one insurance not ask for this.  Another 6 months to wait now!

So we talked a bit and she helped me to calm down and remember that there are still other things I need to do too. I have to get clearance from my Primary that I am medically clear to have this surgery, I need an Upper GI, Gallbladder Ultrasound, and an EGD. I also have to have a Psych Evaluation, and a nutrition evaluation done. Then closer to the end of the 6 month management, I need to have an EKG and a Chest xray. So, looks like I will be busy during the 6 months.

First date for the weight management is March 6th and I will also be meeting with the nutritionist too.

Here we go!

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