Excited and scared.. approved and I have a date!!

{{{Debbi}}}, have you told your psychologist how you feel?  Hubby has lost 35 pounds and the psych and nutritionist told him that they think he can do it on his own --- he weighs 415 now!  I think they are nuts for telling him that.  Talk to someone about it and see what they say --- I just hope that it all works out for you!  {{{HUGS}}}

Hi Renee...
I haven't talked to my psych about it... but I've talked to alot of other people.  I am feeling so much better about it now.  I think it just sorta hit me... I wasn't expecting approval so fast, if at all.... and the emotions just hit me.  I am very excited about having this done and getting on with my journey.  I'm not thinking negative thoughts anymore... and I know this is what I want.  I've wanted this for a few years now... and I'm not going to blow it now!!  lol...  I hope your husband doesn't let them convince him of anything other that what he wants for him.  If he's not ready to have surgery... and wants to try it on his own, then maybe he needs to do that.  If on the other hand he feels he needs this surgery to succeed... then he probably does need it.  But it has to be a lifestyle change... forever... or the weight will come back on.  With surgery it is much harder to go back to your old ways.  Your stomach doesn't allow you to eat as much, or the same types of foods that made you fat.  Of course, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.... as they pound that into us while getting ready for this surgery!!!  lol   Anyway,  I wish you and your husband the best of luck, even if you both decide to take two different paths along your journey.  Hopefully the two roads will both lead to success!   

Thanks, Debbi!   I am feeling "lost" right about now!  All of my appointments were finished on September 19th and now I have 10 week sof waiting with no contact.  I really wish I had nutritionist appointments or more psych appointments!  I am beginning to question the program/hospital I chose! 

Wow Renee... that is a long tme with no contact!!  I have 9 appointments between now and my surgery on 11/5.  I see the hospital staff for a 4 hour class, I see the bariatric nurse for something, I'm not sure what..lol.  I see the nurse practitioner to go over labs, I see my surgeon one more time, and I have to have a chest x-ray and ekg within 10 days of my surgery.  I also still need my Mammogram.  I think i have a nutrition appointment too.  Plus it is mandatory that I come in for weigh ins at least every other week.  Its so confusing I actually went and bought a binder last night so i could organize all my paperwork and appointment orders.  My surgical group has been phenomenal.  They have answered every question I have.. they have been very supportive and encouraging when I go in for weigh ins.  My surgeon spent over an hour with me the last appointment even though it was after 6pm when I finally got in to see her on a Friday night.  Maybe you should call your doctors office and tell them how you are feeling.  Do you go to a support group?  I find that helps me alot!!  At my support group through the hospital the doctors get involved too and are there to answer questions after the meeting.  Support is very important during this process.... I can see how you would feel 'lost'.  Waiting for the big day with no contact would drive me crazy!!  Make a phone call... and set up an appointment with someone.. if you feel you need to see the nutritionist or the pshych dr. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem to get you in.  It sounds like your Dr. group needs a better hands on support system...  10 weeks is a long time to go at this alone!!  I hope you get the help you need...  and your surgery date will be here before you know it....  Take care Renee.... and make that phone call!!

Thanks!  I am really feeling like I ned to change programs!  It seems like everyone here gets such awesome care and I AM not hardly getting any.  We only have support group ONCE a month!  ONCE!  I need it each week!  I have a Pre  OP appointment before surgery but that is it.  Unfortunately, I find the coordinator hard to approach ---- Big Ole Sigh!  :-(

Hi Renee....

As I'm sure you've discovered from this web-site....practices among physicians vary a lot!  My journey so far has gone like this:  Mid-July I made contact with the surgeon's office.  Mid-Sept. I had my consult with the surgeon's PA.  Last week saw my primary care doc for lab tests requested by the surgeon.  Nov 5th I have pre-op appts. with the surgeon, nutritionist and anesthesia folks.  Nov 21st I have surgery.   I'm self-paying, so didn't have to wait for my insurance company to refer me to a surgeon or approve surgery....otherwise, this would've taken longer!

This is your health, your surgery...so be sure you're comfortable with your health care providers!  The coordinator is there to help you through the process!  Don't be afraid to ask for what you need! 

Good Luck!
SG

Yes, everyone seems to have different procedures.  I have had my X-rays and blood tests and EKG and Echo and Stress Test all before I was even given a date.  So maybe that is why I only need an hour for my PAT's.  I am going to call tomorrow and find out.

Hi Debbi

My name is Bill and I have a date also the 5Th of Nov, hang in there that's what I am being told I have had the same thought as I am married and the wife supports me if it what i really want I think it is the best thing for me I have not been able to loose weight am still at 265 a diabetic, hi blood, sleep apnea, and others and am really hoping this will take care of some of these problems for me so i can start enjoying life a little bit easier and a hole lot less weight, but to help you it's got to be what you want it will be a huge change for us both for me I am ready to go through with it when it comes.  you want send e-mail [email protected] .  Good luck on your decision on which way you decide to go.  Bill

Hi Bill...
Oh, there is no doubt that I'm going for it.  I have had such wonderful support from everyone here.  I went to a support group meeting tonight and my Dr. was there along with the head surgeon of the group and he made the comment to the whole room that she is a master at what she does and he learns something new from her everyday.  That made me feel a whole lot better.  Not that I doubted her... but to hear it from the head guy was quite comforting.  I know this is the right choice for me... to be healthy, to relieve the pain I have in my joints, and the stress that is now showing on my heart.  I'm very lucky to not have diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or any other major co-morbidities... but I know its only a matter of time.  I wish you great success in your journey... and Nov. 5th is gonna be a great day for all of us!!!!   

Hi Debbi,

WOW...there are bunches of us having surgery on November 5th!  What a great day!!! 

Debbi....I don't have ANY doubts!  I am so ready and so excited....but those that love and care about me have tons of doubts.  At first my husband was not on board with it...but now he is.  I do worry that we will have problems after the weight comes off.  He's jealous now...so I anticipate that.  I am a nurse and even the docs that I work with have pulled me to the side.  They have told me that they think I am beautiful just the way I am and that I don't need to go to such extremes.  Some think it is a cop-out or the easy way.  I just thank them for their concern and take it as a compliment that they care and move on.  WE ALL know that is IS NOT the easy way.  I think what you are feeling is just plain nerves and is completely normal.  Consider why you made the choice originally and that you have made it this far in the journey to become a loser....We are all going to be just fine and having 'skinny sex' before we know it!!!  LOL