I haven't posted in a while, since my initial introduction last month. Since then, I've attended an informational meeting, had my first consult with the surgeon, completed my initial appointment with my nutritionist, and had my first of two meetings with the psychologist. Everything's gone swimmingly, thus far. Doc said we should check me for sleep apnea, so I will be seeing a pulmonologist next week, who will then (hopefully!) refer me for a sleep study. I have two weeks off from work starting next Thursday, so the timing is perfect. Since my reflux issues are not very severe (mostly when I eat spicy foods, or a LOT of food at once - as I did last weekend's "Lord of the Rings" marathon), I will not need to have an EGD. Instead, he will just take a stool sample to test for H. Pylori. (Yeah... not sure which is the lesser of two evils!)

I've been keeping the ball rolling on these things because I really want to have this surgery ASAP. My parents' health is not good at all (dad has cancer, and mom has many other ailments), so I want to do this before they get worse, and I end up not having the time to do it. All I need to complete now are the sleep study, and the second part of my psych exam (basically, the nurse will call me back and review the comments and notes that the doctor made at my first appointment; type up the report, and fax it to my surgeon). I believe after that, my paperwork will be sent to the insurance company. Doc said it may take 4-6 weeks for approval, but I think he just tells everyone that so they won't keep bugging him.

My coworker who had this done in October looks and feel FABULOUS! She is my inspiration, and has really been helping me through all this. We just hired a new girl who has also had this procedure done before, so I feel better knowing I already have a few people at work who will support me. As for the rest of the idiots here at work... F-THEM! I'm all set to make myself happy and healthy, and will not let them drag me down.

Thank you all for your support!

-Cathy

sounds like everything is going smoothly. i am glad you are almost there. i am waiting for an aproval now and feeling impatient. i hope everything goes quickly for you

kat

Hang in there sweetie !!! Everything seems endless but at some point you will finish all your requirements and be approved. I had to jump thru some hoops as well but did everything in 2 months. Just be careful who you tell about your surgery... some people are 110% supportavie and other people are not. I only told a very few select few, its just not worth it hearing from negative people.

Thank you both! Just got word that I passed my psych exam (not that I had any doubts). I'm hoping to get the rest of my testing done by the end of December, then off to insurance we go.

As for telling people, only 3 coworkers know right now. I know once I have to put my leave on the office calendar, I will be inundated with questions. I asked the one girl who's had it done how she responds, and she said she tells them she watches her portions, and what she eats. Not really a lie, is it? LOL. My biggest problem is what to tell the girl with whom I eat lunch every day. She's a blabbermouth and will tell the whole office. Yet, I'm a horrible liar., so if she asked me straight up if I've had surgery, I'd have to admit it. Personally, I don't care that anyone knows I had the surgery. Im not at all ashamed of it. I just don't feel like having those people know anything about my personal business.

What to do... What to do...

Anyhow, I will be attending my first support group meeting tonight. Being that its the holiday season, it should be fun!

Cathy

I'm not sure i want to tell a lot of people. Just family for now....especially since I haven't got an approval yet. How did your meeting go? I hope all went well.

Kat

Hi kat!

My meeting went great! Met the bariatric director, and boy, is she a hoot! As she described herself, she and the surgeon are "night and day" in their personalities. The people in the support group were wonderful. Everyone was in various stages: some far out from their surgeries, some only a month or two out, and some (like me) are still going through the process. I was inspired all over again, and can't wait to get this done.

Cathy

I know....I wish they would just approve me already....I've been on this shake thing for 10 days and an down 12. I need to lose 3.4 more....not sure what to do if they say I have other rquirements to fill.....what do you have left to do?

I've already completed my initial consult, psych evaluation and meeting with the nutritionist. Right now, all I have left is a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea, so in order to do that, I must consult with a pulmonologist, which I will do next Tuesday. After the sleep study, my paperwork will be submitted to insurance for approval. Average wait time is 1-2 weeks (probably closer to 1 week). After approval (yes, I'm being optimistic that I will be approved), I need to do lab work, and meet agan with the surgeon, nutritionist and bariatric director for pre-op. A week prior to surgery I have to do the "2-shakes-a-day-and-a-sensible-meal" thing.

My real birthday is February 3rd. Sure would be nice to have my surgery around that time, for my "rebirthday".

I have done the phych eval, sleep study, chest xray, upper andlower gi, priimary surgical clearance. When they approve me(i like your opptimism) ijust have to go to a class about post op requirements and if i am at his requested weight, i will get my date. i have already started the 2 shakes a day, lean protien and veg for dinner. my surgeon is strict about the diet...no dairy, no carbs except from veg, fruit and beans...so i am excited , but my insurance is taking longer thann i thought. my doc submitted on 11/27/12 but insurance said they didnt get it until 11/29/12...but the actual proccessing date says 12/3/12...it is drriving me crazy to know what is taking so long. it is hard to be patient. do you have people at home to support you? and if it isnt too nosy, what is your starting weight? you dont have to say. i am 5'8 283.2 was my starting weight and iam aat 271.6 as of this morning. he wants me at 268 for surgery.

Hope everything continues to run smooth on your end.