I have an appt. with Dr. Saltzman this Monday and I honestly don't know what for. First time I'm seeing him and I know he's a medical doctor but does that mean I'm going to have a physical or just to speak with him? I've already seen Dr. Greenberg, due to see him again at the end of this month. Been to 3 out of 5 bhav mtgs, been to 1 out of 3 physical fitness mtgs and I am going to the orientation meeting this month (weather permitting...have to travel the pike from Shrewsbury). I meet with Dr. Friedman next week. So, what's next?

Cathy

Hi! I'm not really sure about the entire process at OCC...for some reason I was able to get through some of the stuff quickly and I noticed they were putting others through more of the process.

Dr. Saltzman just listens to your heart, checks your blood pressure and talks to you. Truly I think it's a way for them to make a little more money, but he's a very nice guy and the appt. is quick. My only suggestion is to try to book more than one appt. a day. W/Dr. Saltzman you should probably request to have your blood work done that day (this means you'll have to fast the night before and they take about 8 viles of blood so bring some thing with you to eat after so you don't get weak driving home.)

I was told not to worry about going to that orientation meeting--especially if you're sure which procedure you want. If you've been reading the brochures and researching online, I'm sure you have the basic questions answered.

I only met with the dietician once and it was in a group setting so she never gave me the diet plan for after surgery. I called and they sent it to me (thank goodness) although my sister sent me similar information from her hospital in New York. You basically have to go slow, post surgery, get in a lot of Protein (via shakes) and determine what you can tolerate yourself. I think I'm ready for solid (pureed) foods at this point, but I'll wait until my follow up appt. this week to decide.

I think, Cathy, we may have been in the same Behavioral Group at OCC? I only was there the first and second time so I think you came in the second time. I do think I'll eventually need some type of support, but I'm hoping this type of forum will help. I like reading other people's messages and learning from them.

Hope you are well!

I don't know if we've been in the same behav. grp. I started on Feb. 23rd, went to that one but missed the one on March 9th because I couldn't get my youngest daughter back home and then make it into Boston on time. I went to the 3rd one this past week though. It sounds like it's not as big a deal with Dr. Saltzman as I thought it might be. I like that. I'll try not to eat that morning so that I can get my blood work done. Hopefully they will do it that morning if I have time. I'd have to leave by noon for me to get back to work on time for my afternoon run (I'm a school bus driver). Thanks for the tips. I hope you are doing well also. Take care!!

Cathy