August 22, 2010

Two days ago I had my 3rd visit with the dietition and my only visit with Dr. Dawley (internal medicine doctor). The dietition said she was very pleased with my progress. I lost 3 3/4 lbs in the last month, despite alot of heel pain, which limits my walking. She told me to continue to practice chewing my food very well, small bites and eating protein first.

My surgeon, Dr. Lalor, requires all of his patients to be cleared for surgery by Dr. Dawley before submitting the paperwork to the insurance company, and he is VERY thorough with his exam. He reviews all the tests results, does a medical history and an exam. He told me at the end of my visit that he will recommend to Dr. Lalor that I would be a candidate for surgery. He did say that he will be requesting the results of my echo cardiogram test. I told him that my pcp said it did not show any problems with my heart.

When I told Dr. Dawley about the pain I have in my hips he said it is most likely due to osteoarthritis. If he puts that in his report, I'm hoping it will help me get approved for the vertical sleeve surgery. I understand that if you have arthritis that gastric bypass is not the best choice, due to malabsorbing the needed medications.

With all my previous abdominal surgeries, adhesions and diverticulities Dr. Lalor is really against gastric bypass for me. BC/BS of Ohio is currently still considering the sleeve investigational, but I'm hopeful they will make an exception in my case. More and more states are approving the sleeve (ie Illinois), as they see it is effective and there seems to be fewer complications after.I will wait two weeks and then call Dr. Lalor's office, if I don't hear anything, to see where things stand. I will update this post at that time or before if I get news. It's my goal to try and lose 10 lbs before surgery.