First apt. with Dr. Averbach tomorrow - what to expect?
Hi everyone,
I'm very new here even though I've been thinking about having lap band for the past 8 years. I'm only 25 years old so I'm glad I didn't do it when I was much younger but now I truly believe it is time and this is what I need to do.
I have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Averbach in Maryland who seems to be highly recommended and liked, so maybe someone else on here has used him?
I don't have a clue what to expect for my first appointment and I'm nervous/excited/about to barf (lol)
Will it just be talking? Will there be an exam? Will he want to schedule my surgery afterwards?
If anyone has any advice, please share! I'm an anxious kind of person when it comes to new things and even though I've done as much "homework" as I possibly can, there is nothing that will calm my nerves right now. I guess I'm just excited that I might finally be this close to doing something I've wanted for so long.
I'm very new here even though I've been thinking about having lap band for the past 8 years. I'm only 25 years old so I'm glad I didn't do it when I was much younger but now I truly believe it is time and this is what I need to do.
I have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Averbach in Maryland who seems to be highly recommended and liked, so maybe someone else on here has used him?
I don't have a clue what to expect for my first appointment and I'm nervous/excited/about to barf (lol)
Will it just be talking? Will there be an exam? Will he want to schedule my surgery afterwards?
If anyone has any advice, please share! I'm an anxious kind of person when it comes to new things and even though I've done as much "homework" as I possibly can, there is nothing that will calm my nerves right now. I guess I'm just excited that I might finally be this close to doing something I've wanted for so long.
Hey,
I went with Dr. A! He is great - be prepared for him to talk to you... no exam, just talking and such. Have you been to his seminar? My first meeting with him was more of the same. Like you, I had done my homework and knew I was ready... He will tell you what exactly you need to do to get your surgery scheduled - which doctors clearances you need, etc. Have you done a six month weight loss program? This will also most likely be required as part of your insurance...
If you want to talk, call me! My cell is 443-474-1971 and I will talk you through everything I know! :) I also see Dr. A tomorrow (2pm) for my 10 month follow up!
I went with Dr. A! He is great - be prepared for him to talk to you... no exam, just talking and such. Have you been to his seminar? My first meeting with him was more of the same. Like you, I had done my homework and knew I was ready... He will tell you what exactly you need to do to get your surgery scheduled - which doctors clearances you need, etc. Have you done a six month weight loss program? This will also most likely be required as part of your insurance...
If you want to talk, call me! My cell is 443-474-1971 and I will talk you through everything I know! :) I also see Dr. A tomorrow (2pm) for my 10 month follow up!
Hey there,
Thanks for writing.
Yep, I've done his online seminar (I don't live that close so was glad to avoid an additional drive up there) and yep, I've been trying to lose weight supervised by my GP for nearly 2 years now so she's ready to sign off on whatever she needs to in order for me to get it done. I guess I'm most anxious about having to trek around to every other doctor on the planet to get cleared. Sleep clinic? Stress test? Are these standard with him? I will do whatever I have to do but I'd love to not have to take off work too many days just trying to get the surgery.
Thanks for your contact info, I may try to call you later when I'm off work. My appt. is at 11am so I guess we won't run into each other.
Thanks again!
Thanks for writing.
Yep, I've done his online seminar (I don't live that close so was glad to avoid an additional drive up there) and yep, I've been trying to lose weight supervised by my GP for nearly 2 years now so she's ready to sign off on whatever she needs to in order for me to get it done. I guess I'm most anxious about having to trek around to every other doctor on the planet to get cleared. Sleep clinic? Stress test? Are these standard with him? I will do whatever I have to do but I'd love to not have to take off work too many days just trying to get the surgery.
Thanks for your contact info, I may try to call you later when I'm off work. My appt. is at 11am so I guess we won't run into each other.
Thanks again!
On January 21, 2010 at 11:33 AM Pacific Time, Thundergrrrl wrote:
Hey there, Thanks for writing.
Yep, I've done his online seminar (I don't live that close so was glad to avoid an additional drive up there) and yep, I've been trying to lose weight supervised by my GP for nearly 2 years now so she's ready to sign off on whatever she needs to in order for me to get it done. I guess I'm most anxious about having to trek around to every other doctor on the planet to get cleared. Sleep clinic? Stress test? Are these standard with him? I will do whatever I have to do but I'd love to not have to take off work too many days just trying to get the surgery.
Thanks for your contact info, I may try to call you later when I'm off work. My appt. is at 11am so I guess we won't run into each other.
Thanks again!
Sleep clinic,, I had previously been diagnos with Obstructive sleep apnea,, but I don't THINK he requires it
Stress test,, My primary ordered one just as a warm and fuzzy for her,, being 44 now, and major surgeory,, she wanted to be sure,,, again, I don't hink he requires it.
Most insurances require a 6month observed diet, BMI high enough (I think 40), but in my case Diabetes and Apnea got me in at a lower BMI
Tom
Dr A is great,,, He is a little "dry" until you and he get to know each other,, but don't let that discourage you. He is a A1 surgeon, and person. His staff is great. I recently had an issue with Abdomin pain, he jumped right on it,, (not my ab. but the problem) suggested I go to hospital, but left the decision to me. Luckily it was not an inflamed colon that he was concerned about,, but a kidney stone,, painful but not life threatening. He got me in his office the same day my primary called him, (I went to my primary first, surgery has gone so well I didn't think it was surgery related)
Ask him any and ALL questions you have, as I recommend to everyone, remember,, these docs are WORKING FOR YOU, YOU ARE THE BOSS, YOU ARE PAYING THEM, You won't have any problems with Dr A though. Oh, if you do have a problem after hrs,, and page him,, he will call you back quickly,, 10 mins in my case.
Any other questions or concerns,, please ask,, or PM me. This site is great for help and support.
Tom
Ask him any and ALL questions you have, as I recommend to everyone, remember,, these docs are WORKING FOR YOU, YOU ARE THE BOSS, YOU ARE PAYING THEM, You won't have any problems with Dr A though. Oh, if you do have a problem after hrs,, and page him,, he will call you back quickly,, 10 mins in my case.
Any other questions or concerns,, please ask,, or PM me. This site is great for help and support.
Tom