Your first consultation with the surgeon

What was it like? What were some of the questions the doc asked you? Did the doc go over the psych doc's consult with you? I'm just worried that will be brought up even though I was cleared by the psych doc.

Dr Genaw is a very laid back guy, he will ask you some health questions, when I had my surgery, you had to write a letter to him telling him why you are ready to have this surgery, and agree to follow the rules.   He will tell you how much weight you have to lose prior to surgery.   Relax, there is notstudying for this visit.   He is very nice, and will make you feel at ease. 

Thanks for the input. I'm very nervous about meeting him and having the surgery.

I made so much more out my surgical consult than I needed to!  I was so concerned that I would 'qualify' for the surgery and get accepted that I seem to lose sight of the fact that I was in actuality the person interviewing the surgeon to determine if he could meet my needs and I should hire him.  I had a really bad experience with his staff shrink, and was concerned that he could derail things.  The surgeon set my mind at ease immediately, so I could overlook the shrink issue and get down to business with the surgeon.

I also did a lot of research on my surgery choice and research on the surgeon himself prior to meeting with him.  I knew what I wanted done and why, and I knew he was more than capable of it (there are very few qualified DS surgeons), but needed to feel comfortable with him, his protocol, and needed him to understand my expectations.  I had certain expectations of what my anatomy would end up looking like (size of my stomach, length of my common channel, etc... ) and we needed to come to agreement on this.

Don't forget that WLS is big business.  This is not to say that the surgeon doesn't have concern for their patients, I think most do -- but you are hiring this person, not the other way around.  Too many people settle on a surgeon simply because that is who they were refered to.  Also, too many people settle on their WLS procedure simply because the surgeon they see is only capable of performing certain types.

Well said, Kim.  My first visit was also very laid back, and as much about the doctor needing to assure me that he was "the guy" as it was about me being approved.  You and the doctor are a team, Kat, and think of it as your first meeting for a project you will be undertaking together. 

I think my fear is, is that I didn't do enough. They gave me this huge form to fill out and had me list the number of supervised diets I was on. I was only on three. I feel like I'm gonna be judged based on this form.  I'll just have to wait and see what happens.

I can't say just relax about it because I was the same way.  I had dr. carlin though.  The form and the letter just really need to come from your heart.... It took me honestly about 3 months to do the letter... I just had to make it perfect, so he understood where I was coming from as a person..... 

Dr. Carlin did NOT go over what the psych dr. said, he just said that she cleared me and that I am on the right track, then i had to go for medical clearance, which is a different appt and is a breeze...

You will be fine... My best to you .....

Christina