My Consult: The First Step

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Well, today I officially started my journey to a better me. I had my first consult with the physician who will do my surgery. Dave went with me as we met with several others who are also contemplating the lap band (LB) procedure. We began by viewing a power-point presentation put together by Dr. Canaday himself. It told me everything I already knew but was very informative. This was an eye opener for David. He just didn’t have any awareness of obesity and it’s causes, problems or solutions; plus he knew nothing about the LB procedure. Dr. Canaday also passed around a ‘stomach’ and band so we could see how it actually looks and works. Attached to the cord was a hypo. needle that would be used to do the fills of saline as needed.

Following this group meeting we then met in private w/ the dr. for only a brief moment as he asked if we had any questions. Dr. Canaday has been doing bariatric gastric bypass for a long, long time, but told us that he no longer does it because he feels it’s too invasive and dangerous (my words) and only does LB instead. I found that to be a rather remarkable thing. He talked about how safe it is and how effective it is, IF you do as you are told.

After meeting w/ the dr. we met with the nurse consultant who had gastric bypass many years ago and knows all about being fat. She was great and I cried as she asked me why I wanted this surgery. I couldn’t give reasons fast enough and she couldn’t write fast enough. I had filled out a very comprehensive 6 page questionnaire about my health and diet history and Terry often referred to this as we talked.

After meeting w/ Terry, the dietician was next. And of course, this was what we’d been waiting for. Wow. What an earful. She was great and explained all about the changes I would be making pre and post surgery. It all boils down to no more than 4 oz. of food at a sitting, chewing each bite 15-20 times, 2 minutes between bites, 30 full minutes to eat it all. That gives the food time to get to the stomach so I can feel the ‘full’ sensation. If I don’t do things right, I will throw it all up: eating too fast, not chewing enough, eating the wrong stuff….no carbs…that is breads, buns, pastas, potatoes, that kind of thing that has no nutritional value really. I have to take care to get in my protein.

Next step is a psychological workup I have to have done. Terry gave me a list of doctors to call and circled one that they especially like to work with because she’s quick and thorough. Dave went home and called immediately to get me an appointment and I go this Friday at 8:30!! It will take about 2 ½ hours and cost me $250.00. When the doctor sends the results to the Weight Loss Clinic, they will schedule my surgery for about 2 weeks down the road. I will meet w/ the dietician one more time pre-op and she will tell me to do all liquids for 2 weeks, I believe.

So that’s it for now. Looks like I may be looking at an early July banding. I am so very excited and can’t wait to get started ‘not eating.’ LOL :biggrin2::biggrin2::wink:

Hospital Profile - Holzer Weight Loss Center

Medically supervised weight loss program - Center for Comprehensive Weight Loss at Holzer Medical Center Gallipolis