Timelines and consult with surgeon

HI everyone,

I have my first meeting with the surgeon (Dr. Birch) on Monday.  I've had butterflies in my tummy for days.  I hadn't realized how nervous I am about this appointment and I don't know what to expect!  Whew... 

I'm wondering a couple of things...(husband is coming with).  What will the appointment be like?  I don't want to overthink everything (more confusion) but I want to be prepared. 

AND, generally, if the surgeon approves surgery...how long before a date is scheduled?  2 months?  6?  12?   What is the average?

I'm going to go take a few deep breaths now.

THanks!

D

Your way ahead of me...how long did it take for you to get an appt with the Dr?  I'm in Edmonton and doing the Weight Wise....it's helping me so far.  but very slow....

I waited about 14 months to get into weight wise, then I started modules a couple of months before my first appointment at the clinic.

So I've been seen at the clinic for almost a year now, and am just now speaking with the surgeon next week. 

My first nurse went on mat leave and I hadn't seen a nurse for almost this whole time...I had NO idea I was supposed to be seeing someone about every 6-8 weeks.  All is good now and the support has been great.

I still have a couple of modules to do, they cancelled a bunch when Swine Flu was at it's peak.

I'm looking forward to the new Module 9 on Stress that they added.  Particularly at this stage in my journey!

Hope that helps give you a little bit of timeline?

I've lost and maintained about a 7%, I had hoped to be at 10% by now, but I'm okay with slow as long as it is gone for good!  Hurrah!

OMG you sound like I did before meeting with Dr. Karmali. I was a nervous wreck. I was so stressed and scared that I wasn't gonna be approved for surgery that I literally made myself sick.
Well when I got to the clinic after all that stressing I didn't even see my surgeon but an intern Dr. Menezes instead. He explained all the 3 procedures and asked me which when I was more interested  in and ask me why. He wanted to make sure that I had done my researched. He then told me I wasn't a candidate for the By-pass but the sleeve and lap-band were both approved. I have chosen the sleeve. The whole appt went smoothly and was very casual feeling. If you have any question for the Doctor you should write then down so you don't forget anything and bringing your husband is great cause 2 sets of ears are better than 1.

I was put on the waiting list on June 7th and according to Lorraine in the surgical booking office it'll be late October or early November before I actually get the surgery.

Good Luck on Monday.

Kee.

Thanks for the response Kee!

Yes, hubby is coming to the appointment. 

I do have a few questions written down.

May I ask why you weren't a candidate for bypass surgery?  I'm curious if it was your choice or if there's something that rules this out in some cases...

After doing a lot of reading today, I don't think I want the lap-band....I would still like to lose about 100lbs, I don't like the idea of fills, 'ports', and hardware (haha) in my body....the idea of wearing and slippage and having revision is really steering me in a different direction.  At first I thought Imight be favouring this surgery....now I'm leaning towards the sleeve.

I know there isn't alot of medical history (long term) behind the sleeve...but I like the idea that it isn't a bypass, that there isn't the malabsorbtion (though I'm completely done having kids etc)...that it is essentially my stomache still...just modified.  Does that make sense?  Any extra info would be welcome.  I did read that it is also step one of the DS surgery...which I thought was interesting, but have no idea why I'd need a second step in the future (if it was available).

I'm not against bypass if the doctor thinks this would be a better fit for me, I'm not sure why one would be recommended over the other?

Let us know when you get your date!  That's exciting, you are very close! yay! :)

Still a bit of a nervous wreck, haha...but that's part of the process and I'm challenging myself to work through the stress in positive ways.  Woot.

D

Dr Menezes wouldn't approve me for the by-pass cause my weight and BMI isn't high enough. Also we talked about having children after surgery so he said definitely no. I should be able to loose all my weight with just the sleeve.

You are right when you say the sleeve doesn't have as many years as a stand alone procedure but seeing as it's been around as part of the DS I am confident in my decision. Now it's just a waiting game.

Kee.

The meeting is fast! Or at least it was for me. We discussed the options and like Kee I was not approved for RNY either. That being said, we decided on the sleeve for me and I was put on the waiting list on May 3rd. I didn't see Dr. Birch and I don't remember the surgeons name but he was nice, easy to take to and reassuring that I was makign the right choice for me. Once you sign the declaration of your decision, you're good to go.

There are many different factors that play a role in when you're going to get the call with a date. I was too antsy to wait and called in June to see where I was sitting and was told I had 6 people on the list ahead of me. I called back on August 3rd and I got a date then. September 21st is my day and I couldn't be happier.

You're time will likely be before the holidays . Summer there are vacation times and less surgeries therefore we've had to wait but I'm betting you'll be in and out before 2011. ( Let's hope anyway!!! )

It really depends on the person. I first saw Dr. Birch in February, and we decided for me to have the RNY. But I wasn't officially approved for surgery until May 3. My first appointment with Dr. Birch wasn't short - to me. i think we met for about an hour - went through everything, decided what was best for me, answered any questions I had, and gave my concerns and he gave me his.

I was officially approved for surgery,May 3 and I had my surgery on July 13. I think it depends on what surgery you are looking at for the timeline. More people tend to get the sleeve I've noticed and that may play a factor in the timeframe that people have to wait.

I did have some complications with my surgery, but I would definately do it again, I love all the support that I get from WW and Dr. Birch. Maybe we'll get to meet on Monday. I am going into the clinic for Dr. Birch to take a look at a few things and my appointment is it 11am so maybe we'll meet.

Good luck and I'm sure you'll do great! and just remember that not everyone is approved (put on the wait list for surgery) the first time they see Dr. Birch...but he will do everything in his power to help you suceed...

Ah you've all been fantastic with your replies and support, thank you everyone!

Adrainnao, my appt is for 9.30am, probably when I get out ...you'll be waiting to see him :)


Kee, thank you for giving me a little more detail into your journey, that's very kind.


I'm curious why/what the criteria are for RNY and not suitable because you do or do not have enough weight to lose?  Does this question make sense?  For instance...is it for someone who needs to lose 100 plus pounds?  THeir BMI is over 'what" number??

What are some of the reasons that a person would not be approved for surgery?  Is it beause they need to lose more weight, their blood tests need to have better results? 

I think I'm much helathier than when I started, no,....i KNOW I am, and I'm very happy with the changes in my body and my bloodwork.  I'm looking ahead, I will stay positive and report back tomorrow.

Still nervous.  Ha!  ;)

D.

I have to go for the swallow test next week and then the scope at some point soon.

THen followup with Dr. Birch again.