Wow, this is going to be some journey!!!

I finally heard from my doctor's office in Columbia, MO. today and they told me they had received my packet. I also sent along with it what I lovingly referred to as "My Big Fat Journal." It tells my history over the past few years trying to get this surgery done. The lady I talked to said that she normally didn't read many of the personal items people send in like that, but for some reason she couldn't put mine down. She told me she feels like I'm a family member now that she just got to know. It's gets a bit detailed and should be "rated" at least PG-13 due to some colorful language. But it's straight forward and honest as I can be. She told me I needed to go ahead and get my psych evaluation done (which I was later told I couldn't get an appointment until June 30th) along with my TSH blood test (set for Friday). She then told me about some three week stay I might need to make there in either Columbia or Jefferson City to help slim me down a bit and get me ready for surgery. That was a new one to me. I can't tell you how nice the woman was to me. It was like the first kind words I've heard in years, knowing that I've got someone finally in my corner. It looks like this is going to happen after all. Wow, this is going to be some journey.... Jeff (aka Millsey)

Jeff, Good luck and hang in there~!!. I am going to pre-op class tommorrow and it has been a journey 4 sure. I hadn't heard about the losing weight prior to surgery thats a new one for me too. Do you have to wait until 6-30 for your pych? Can you go to a diff Dr maybe? Again hang in there your on your way! Lets do the happy to celebrate your start. Gevin

Well, from what I understand they just want me to be in better physical shape to make things easier for the surgery.

Jeff, I know from different people that I have talked to about the surgery that some surgeons have you go on a liquid diet for a week or 2 weeks before the surgery, this is to help shrink down your liver. But don't worry, just hang in there and you will be fine, I got all my paperwork mailed in the middle of March, and I am too going to be in the Pre-Op class tomorrow (thursday morning) at Dr. De La Torre's office. If you are using Dr. Scott then you will be in good hands, I was hoping for him to do my surgery, but he went to Columbia to the school so I am using one of the drs from his office out of Wentzville, but they are now located down in St Louis at DePaul in Bridgeton, but I have known a couple people that have used Dr Scott and they have rave reviews on him. Hang in there, your surgery will be here before you know it. Use this time wisely, find some local support groups in your area and start going. I don't know how far you are located from St Louis, but there is a support group that meets at Depaul Hospital on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday night of each month at 5:30, I have been to 2 of the groups so far but they have both been very rewarding, its nice getting to talk to people who have just had it along with others who had it a year or so, they have the best advice for you cause they have been where you are now and have learned things and are willing to tell you what you need to hear. Good luck on your journey, Theresa

Thanks Theresa, It's great hearing everyone's story that way I don't feel like I'm out here all by myself. Believe me, I do appreciate it. Jeff