Hey everyone, the journey begins

Hi!  I'm still pre-op, but my delays aren't with my doctor, it's because of my insurance requirements.  I have to be on a doctor supervised diet for six months prior to surgery, so my surgeon's office says they can schedule me in November.  It's all good though, since it gives me plenty of time for the required testing and to fix anything the surgeon requires fixing ahead of time.  My initial consult was April 29th.

Hey Tom welcome to the board, and congrads on your decision for surgery.  My process was a 9 month process, I knew I needed the 6 months diet I started that in Jan 08 and started my appts with my Dr. around April or May and had my surgery in Sept 08.  I had Dr. Averbach and he is wonderful.  A great surgeon and his office staff is really great and helpful.

Good luck on your decision and feel free to ask any questions.

This is from my blog, so I didn't have to retype it, I wish Dr Averbach did DS.

I am a 44 year old, who has been "large"  to different degrees my entire life. Currently, I am 6"3" 301lbs BMI 37, type 2 diabetic struggleing, and sleep apnea. One year ago I was 235lbs, what happened? Too many bad excuses, but the huge event was one day after my 43rd birthday, I had a guy jump in front of my work truck. I honestly don't know the out come, just found not at fault by police and company. No-one will tell me about the guy I hit, so I assume the worst. I have been in counseling for a year, been on meds for that for a year, and lost control of my diabetes. Then to top it off in November I had a bus take me out and total my van, when it rains it pours. Enough of the whining.

I decide about 6 weeks ago I had to do something, originally I was thinking Lap Band. I attended a seminar by Dr Averbach. I was impressed with Dr Averbach and Cathy who worked in his office and had Gastric bypass herself. I setup an appt, and Dr Averbach was going to be my surgeon. I had an appt already with my Endo, so I talked it over with him. He suggested Lap Band might not be my best option. So I find OH and start doing research. Then I learn about DS, and how it is even better for diabetes than RNY. OK something new to look into. I call Dr Averbachs office, he doesn't do DS. Bummer.  I start looking for DS surgeons, and only find two in MD. Because I have two young daughters,, I really kind of need to stay local. I make an appt with my PCP to discuss it with her, she is all for it, even better, she is familiar with Dr Vanguri, and recommends him.

I still have an appt with Dr Averbach, and setting up an appt with Dr Vanguri. Not completely set on surgeon or procedure, I want to talk with both. Stay tuned.


Thanks,
Tom

Hi Tom and congrats on your decision! 

My initial consult was in August, surgery was in December, had a date for November even but cancelled for another Dr. visit needed.

So much depends on your insurance, your doctor and what tests are required etc.  Once your committed to doing this it will feel like you're walking through mud, but hang in there because it will move fast as you look forward to getting each leg of the preop journey checked off your list.

Best of everything and keep us posted.

M

Just sent my info packet back to Dr Vanguri

Tom