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I had an ECHO done on Sept 21, and my surgeon called me to tell me that one of the valves in my heart isn't closing all the way so I need to get cleared from a Cardiologist before I can have the surgery (I've met all other requirements) My appointment with the cardio is on Monday at 11am and they told me I had to get a referral from my PCM (Tricare Prime) for the cardiologist. I called my PCM for the referral and after the nurse talked with him, she called me back and said that he had to see me before he would write the referral. WTF! The surgeon and cardiologist and PCM are all Scott & White so he can see the results of that. I hung up with her and called the surgeon to see if they could write it and due to them being "specialty physicians" they are unable to do so. So I called my PCM back and after pleading with the receptionist who agreed with me, they talked to him and he finally agreed to write it without seeing me. I will be switching PCMs after the surgery. He doesn't agree with the LAP band so he doesn't want to make anything easy for anyone, and although they aren't allowed, the nurse/receptionist agreed with me and told me they have had several problems with that from him.

Ugh! Even though I am happy he agreed to write it, I am appalled that he would put me through hell because of a well educated decision that I have made to have this surgery. I hate him.

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I don't blame you. My PCP talked me out of WLS for years. He retired and a new, proactive doctor took

his place and recommended I try the Lapband to control diabetes and other problems. I guess it

just depends on the PCP. You are probably the best judge of what you want and need, and there

are a lot of doctors around, so find one you get along with. Good luck.

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What a shame that we have to our own research in order to convince doctors that the band can actually improve our health! Good luck with your cardio.

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I had the same problem after my ECHO and after my stress test they found that everything was ok. I do hope the same happens for you. Good luck on your test.:rolleyes:

I had an ECHO done on Sept 21, and my surgeon called me to tell me that one of the valves in my heart isn't closing all the way so I need to get cleared from a Cardiologist before I can have the surgery (I've met all other requirements) My appointment with the cardio is on Monday at 11am and they told me I had to get a referral from my PCM (Tricare Prime) for the cardiologist. I called my PCM for the referral and after the nurse talked with him, she called me back and said that he had to see me before he would write the referral. WTF! The surgeon and cardiologist and PCM are all Scott & White so he can see the results of that. I hung up with her and called the surgeon to see if they could write it and due to them being "specialty physicians" they are unable to do so. So I called my PCM back and after pleading with the receptionist who agreed with me, they talked to him and he finally agreed to write it without seeing me. I will be switching PCMs after the surgery. He doesn't agree with the LAP band so he doesn't want to make anything easy for anyone, and although they aren't allowed, the nurse/receptionist agreed with me and told me they have had several problems with that from him.

Ugh! Even though I am happy he agreed to write it, I am appalled that he would put me through hell because of a well educated decision that I have made to have this surgery. I hate him.

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Did he see the report? If so, why would he not make the referral ASAP? Surgery or no surgery? Jeeeze!!

Way to persevere!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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