Well, you asked for it....What happened at my consult

I first have to remind everyone that I have public aid so for those of you wondering...that is where we begin. I went to Dr. Fred Tiesenga of New Hope Surgical (www.newhopesurgical.com) After going to an informational meeting I got a folder of stuff to fill out. After I did all that I then went for an upper GI and gallbladder U/S. THEN I could schedule my consult. So yesterday was the day. 5,000 more pages of paperwork (Probably about 10-15) One of the papers was cracking me up. Most probably wouldn't think it was funny. I think it is to scare away people that really don't understand what the surgery is about. It was this bright green piece of paper that said in about 10 numbered statements "You understand that you can DIE from the surgery." "Things can happen like this this and this and it can cause your DEATH" "You can have problems and need more surgeries that can lead to your DEATH" I was cracking up. It was OBVIOUSLY for those who think this is a walk in the park. I am quite aware it is not. So after one of the office staff SWEARING I was "Irene's daughter right?" I went in to the room. They weighed me at 391 (not digital so I don't think I gained) and took a picture (The famous fat woman fell off the high building onto the white door picture) and I waited for the doctor. In the office was a (do you care?) National Geographic that had a very interesting article on Obesity. I got about one page into it and the doctor was there. (Great but I really wanted to read the article and I am NOT about to buy NG) He was a very clean cut man. VERY nice and personable. I really couldn't have been happier with the man sitting in front of me. He noticed that I already had a DVT and immediately said, "HOLD ON A SEC" and walked out the door to consult with another doctor. I LOVE THAT! I mean, he wanted to make sure he was making the right decision. You can't argue with that. So the other doctor listened in on my story and they have decided that I need to get a blah blah FILTER put in my vein to cut the risk of Pulmunary Embolism. (Do ya'll know what a DVT is? Deep Vein Thrombosis. Blood Clot in my leg that ran from mid thigh to mid calf.) Then he was asking about my diet attempts. I listed them and he wrote away. He said that it is probably a good idea to get me immediately on a medically supervised weight program. I asked him if Public Aid will cover that. He said, "OH, you're public aid, don't worry about it." He has completely put me under the impression that it won't be a big deal but I am still worried. I asked what the filter was and what it entailed and he explained it all in normal terms. "It's like a Badminton birdie. We insert it into your vein and it will catch any clots." He looked at my stomach. Asked how long I had been married. How many kids. Was I diabetic, high blood pressure, typical co-morbs. I told him, "No but my mom and grandparents cover all of that." Asked if I had any questions. I asked him, "Am I a candidate to do this laproscopically?" He said, "Yes, I do all my surgeries Lap. There is always the risk of having to go Open at the time but I don't see a problem." Then I asked if he, personally, had had any deaths. He said, "NO. But you know that you can die from this." I said, "Well, if I don't do something about my weight, I can die to so..." He said, "Let's schedule you for this filter and " he walked out the door. I was cracking up because he was just searching around trying to find the lady to schedule this for me. I mean, any other doctor would have had me sitting in the waiting room for her to come out. So she came in and Crystal came in. The filter has to be inserted a week prior to surgery so right now, I am just waiting for approval. Crystal said she will send my paperwork out today. TODAY! TODAY I SAID TODAY! I just can't believe it. I am actually waiting for approval. I am having my paperwork sent out TODAY and it is now just a waiting game. I tell you, I could NOT be happier with Dr. Tiesenga's office. The staff is AMAZING and Dr. Fred is just wonderful. Very knowledgable and easy to talk to. I didn't have that "I'm talking to a doctor that is just gonna tell me I'm fat" feeling. They also have a new podiatrist working in their office so I can finally get my toe fixed that I've Ripped off countless times. Yes, it hurts worse than it sounds. You have felt NO PAIN until you rip your toe nail off. Your Big toe nail. Off. OUCH! So...that is where I am at. I might be needing an angel soon. Melissa

Well!! I'm glad you cleared up the toe nail thing, when you said you had ripped your toe off several times I though WOW she must have a hell of a plastic surgeon who just keep sewing that toe back on!!! Can you do me a hugemongous favor? Can you put down a timeline from when you FIRST called the surgeons off till you got your consult. BTW public aid takes about 2 weeks for approval.... Thanks and good luck!!

June 2nd Called Office was told had to go to Informational Meeting For PA Recipients June 14th, Informational Meeting June 21st, Nutritionist Appt July 12th, Upper GI, Gallbladder U/S July 28th, Surgical Consult Between the Informational Meeting and The Consult was 2 months. This ONLY took this long because I got sick (remember) Otherwise I would have gotten in sooner. The time in which you get your stuff out to insurance is really up to how fast you can get your paperwork finished. If I would have been able to get my tests done initially, I would have gotten in with the doctor 2-3 weeks earlier. The problem was my illness and Dr went on vacation. I was initially scheduled for my Upper GI and U/S on June 30th. So...that added 2 weeks and then the Dr was on vacation last week so add another. So really, they leave it in your hands. They give you the packet and you have to fill it out. Once you submit those papers, you have to get the battery of tests. Upper GI/Gallbladder U/S, Sleep Test, Psych eval. If you have those tihngs already, you are pretty much done and can get your consult. The consult takes an hour with Dr. T and then your papers will be submitted to insurance and ya just gotta wait. Melissa

Wow Melissa!!! That's so !!! I wish you the best of luck with the approval! Make sure you keep us up to date!! Cathy

Congrats, Melissa!!! You know the routine now. HURRY UP AND WAIT!!!! I am happy for you. Wi**** was me.