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Right Surgeon?



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Anyone start worrying as you're headed into the final stretch before surgery, whether or not you have the right surgeon and office? There are only two where I live and I've heard horrible things about the other one, but after my pre-op appointment, I'm beginning to worry that the one I chose might not be right for me. It's little things like not seeing the surgeon again for a whole year after surgery ( see the NUT and nurse practitioner every three months), meeting the NP and finding her a bit terse, going into surgery feeling like I don't have my after care questions answered. (I know they'll tell me in the hospital - I hope- but how together am I going to be at that time?!). Love, love, loved my SUR at first, but am feeling like just a number now. Don't know how much is my anxiety and insecurity or how much is because I really need to rethink this.

So excited about all the changes post surgery and simultaneously so worried about them. Anyone else feel totally double minded right before their surgery? ( I have 3 weeks Til bypass. )

Know the emotional roller coaster is somewhat normal but I'm not enjoying the ride! The highs are great, but oh those dips and twists and turns.

Choosinghope as I quake in my metaphorical boots.

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I can understand. Here is what you do...write a list of all of the questions that you have for your surgeon and request an appointment to speak with him about having specific questions that you want to talk to him about. I would want to know those were answered before hand and NOT on the day of surgery. There is way too much going on and people to talk to, too much to remember on a day that is stressful and causing more anxiety. If you do a Q&A session with him, it will help alleviate fears and reduce anxiety. I am excited for you and I am sure it will go smoothly. Those anesthesiologists are good bartenders!!! ;)

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Hmm, your reservations seem warranted. I'm in a position where I see the surgeon every appointment, as well as the nut and the surgeon's wife (his 1st assistant in surgery).

Though I'll say, I wouldn't be put off if I didn't see the surgeon each appointment... I'd be fine with just the other two. Maybe because it's a husband/wife scenario and I know she'll keep him informed. But I know a surgeons job is to cut; after my thyroid surgery I didn't keep seeing the surgeon, I went back to treating with the endocrinologist. Bariatrics is slightly different, the surgeon takes on two roles, but if there is a nurse practitioner on staff I can see not having to see the surgeon. Seems like you're not fond off the nurse practitioner, but maybe you need someone who will keep you on your toes. Since it doesn't sound like you have many options, list out your questions and get an appointment to make sure they get answered, they should all be qualified to answer your questions.

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    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
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    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
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