Help! Went to consult Now I'm really scared!

Hey all, Well I went to my consult with Dr Jones Wednesday. I was so excited! I was about 15 mins late because of an accident on 465 near Allisonville ( I called and they were nice and said no problem come on in). I arrived and there were folds everywhere, with loved ones ( I was alone, everyone had to work and Mom's not up to it). I first concern was when I filled out the paper and had to sign something about Medicare (my provider) that I didnt even understand, and when I asked the lady said its ok your insurance is fine but we need you to sign it. So of course I signed. I think it was like if she charges more than medicare pays then she wont write it off so I have to agree to pay.?. I was weighed and measured and everyone one was nice just busy. Dr. Jones seemed really nice and caring about her patients and her job and explained everything well. About half way through some ladies (future loser) hubby passes out and is unresponsive and she starts yelling for help. So Dr. and the nurses try to deal with him (he was apparently diabetic and needed food), they got him awake and took him to the ER via wheelchair. Then we continued and she took questions. Then she began seeing us one at a time, so of course I was last since I was the last to arrive. I dont know if it was because she was tired and/or the strain of dealing with the diabetic guy or what, but she was extremely brief and kinda impersonal. I felt like I was on an assemble line. She asked me how I heard of her and the bariatric clinic, and I told her OH. She asked me who did my gastric staple and when and if I ever fall down for no reason. Then she said let me do my paper work and someone will call you. I took the incentive to ask her about revisions and if there was an increased risk and she said yes, they had more difficulty with healing. Then I asked her why the have trouble healing and she said that its because of the scar tissue on the stomach. She said some pts have no problems and some do. Thats it! I left feeling worse than when I went I wasnt expecting an exam or any frills but I thought we would dicuss me, my co-morbities etc. I am more scared now then I was too. I felt confiden and sure I wanted to do this but now I am like I am at a even higher risk. I dont want to live like this but I dont really want to die either. I have heard great things about Dr. J and she seemed to know her stuff she has done like 3000 RNY's, and there were people from 4 hours away there to see her. Ok guys any revision folks out there who and give me a little support? At this point I have told the Lord if its in His plan get it approved and if not don't let it be approved, and I will leave it alone. Sorry to go on but hey that's what this is all about right? Thanks for your support and prayers Christine

Christine, I wouldnt put too much into the fact that she was short with you. When i wnet to see Dr. Inman, she was busy with her pager anda patient that was having trouble and i thoguht that she seemed pre occupied as well. As many operations and patients that they have....i found it amazing thatthey had time to sit down and talk to a room of people about it and did not just appoint someone to do it for them. I have saw Dr. Inman 3 times now and she has been nothing but great... i can only hope that you have the same success with Dr. Jones.

Hi Troy, Thanks for reading and responding to my post. I appreciate the encouragement, I appreciate it. Blessings Christine

i would be more worried about the surgery , the actual surgery and who can do a revison and who does not..she was busy....if you have any more questions, by all means ask, and i think you don't ask they don't tell...see if the OH board has a revision board and see what they say...

Good Morning Sweet Tweety, The surgery is exactly what I am worried about. I hear that Dr. Jones is one of the best and she does revisions, thats why I chose her. But now that the complications have increased so have my fears. Blessings Christine

hi christine i just read your profile, and i'm quite a lot like you! i had a gastric stapling in 1980 -- loss 120 lbs, too. but regained it and much, much more. 16 months ago dr. huse at st. vincents revised me to an RNY...and it has gone wonderfully. the only problem i had was part of my incision (i had open rny) pulled apart and took a few weeks to heal, but it wasn't a major problem at all. and i've lost 255 lbs. in these past 16 months. i feel wonderful. i'm currently 49 years old, so i too, was pretty young when i had the stapling...i know and understand so much more about myself and the surgery now than i did back then. i just wanted to share with you that my situation was very similar to yours, and how well its gone for me. hope it goes equally well for you! best of luck. deb

Hi Deb, Thanks for the encouragement. Wow we do have alot in common dont we. When I weighed in at the consult weighed exactly the same weight I weighed the day I had the staple, 318. Pretty weird huh? I took it as a good sign. I had my staple Friday July 13th and so I have always thought Friday the 13's are good days. I am totally at a loss as to what is supposed to happen now. I guess I will hear from them sooner or later. Like I said Dr J didnt say much, I guess I will get to see her again and discuss it more if I am approved? I dont know, but I'm not gonna worry to much about all that until I find out if I am approved. But I just have a feeling that I'll be approved, dont know why but I do. Thanks again, I'm glad you are doing so well and by the way you look great. I bet you feel great too! Blessings Christine

Those consults arent set up for long visits with the Doc.. most of the information is given out during the consult and they give you time to ask questions in general It was the same way with Dr Cacucci.. BUT!! Since surgery every time I have gone to see her she listens more than I am willing to talk.. I spend more time in the room then I need to I think.. Have you gone to your training class yet?? You get TONS of questions answered then too.. No, Training is done after approval.. they do it this way because of the high volume of people getting and wanting surgery... Dont be scared. Linda

Thanks Linda, I am beginning to relax some now. I appreciate you always jumping in and helping me out with my questions and concerns. As soon as I found out I am approved I am going to get with you or send my addy or something to get a "bag". Thanks again. Blessings, Christine

Christine, If you have questions that you want answered prior to surgery, call Dr. Jones office and set up a meeting...either with her or her nurse (preferably with Dr. Jones). I was fortunate and was able to get most of mine answered from the presentation. I had a revision 4/05. Dr. Gupta had done it as well as the original one (see my profile). The only problem I had was that I thought I was going to freeze to death from the OR being so cold. The scar tissue didn't present any problems for me. Sherri