Had my first appointment at Sartori!!

Met with Angela and Lois on Thursday. It was awesome! I've been through all this stuff before down at UIHC so they were very brief with me which was so cool. On thing that surprised me was when Angela said that I had to be off Depo for one month before surgery and one month after. I just had my shot on February 7th and with my insurance time crunch, that poses a HUGE problem. She told me not to worry though and that she would talk with Dr. G. to see if it's okay to do surgery before. I'm fairly healthy so she didn't think it'd be an issue. I had most of my pre-op tests done last month when I went to the ER for chest pains so they're going to use those test. I still have to have a scope done for GERD...what's this like?? She told me that the fastest that she has seen anyone have surgery done is 2 months. So that puts me at the end of April which is cutting it extremly close. I turn 30 on April 19th too and I really want to be all better by then! She said she understood my time crunch and she really wants to do what she can to help. We got along VERY well! Y'all think I can do this before May 13th???? Hugs, jen p.s. by the way, I scanned and sent my pic 2 weeks ago but it's not posted yet...anyone know how long this takes?? thanks!

Isn't Angie great? The whole team is wonderful. I wish you well as you continue on this journey. I found everyone at Sartori wonderful from Dr. G to his op assistant to the anesthesiologist to the nurses, the lab techs, and RT. Too bad about the Depo, the only reason they want you off during that time is to decrease risk of blood clots, keep us updated. J.

Morning Jen, No reason you shouldn't be in by May. Congrats to you soon you will be on the losing side. As far as pics I think they are pretty busy when I sent my last one in I believe it was 2 or 3 weeks before they got them posted. Keep us posted on what's going on. For an upper scope they put you under, nothing to it. Good luck Carolyn

Congrats Jen! Everyone is wonderful there, aren't they! I was supposed to go this Wednesday for my pre-op tests and endoscopy consult, but I got the flu and was off work for 3 days, had to reschedule to next week. It gave me a little preview of what it's going to be like to be home for 2 weeks...I definitely need to line up some easy projects to keep me from going crazy. I think I might try to organize my photos that have been sitting in a box for two years. When I went to see a P.A. for the flu he seemed surprised that I wasn't getting my surgery done at the U of I. I should've had him call you! He was very weird about the whole thing, I can't wait until my doctor gets back from vacation. I hope you get your surgery scheduled soon. Keep us posted! Collette

Yeah I'm just not down with UIHC. Plus UI doesn't cover BCBS Alliance Select after 2005. That's a big deal to me because I think that the UI will be getting most of their customers from the state and I worry about the way their care is now. Not saying that being on state aid isn't beneficial, but I would like more personal care through a service of excellence hospital like Sarotri is to BCBS. Ya know?If a major insurance company can name this hospital as one of the best in Minimally Incvasive Weight Loss surgery than I am all for it! I talked to Angie on Friday and made sure that there wasn't anything else that I could do to get the process moving faster and she said now we have to wait for insurance. I called BCBS on Friday and they said that the Pre-Approval department received my paperwork on Thursday and it takes 5-7 business days. So I'm looking at knowing for sure by next Friday I'm way nervous. Even if I get denied a "first" time, I don't know if I'll have teh courage to appeal. When I hear a YES from them, my mind will be at ease. I think I'll do just fine with anymore pre-op testing that I have to do. I had a hernia and esophgitis with my scope but my gastro doc cleared me for surgery and put me on Prevacid. I talked to Angie about that and she said as long as I've been on meds for 2 weeks or so, I should be okay. I'm sorry you had the flu! Yuck! Get some rest and you'll be up and around in no time! I'll keep you posted and please keep me in your thoughts this week as this will be the LONGEST week ever!!!! I'm praying to the gods!! Hugs, jen