How about a fun question

Well I started my journey in August of 2003. I got my initial consultation apt. with Dr. Blake for May 27, 2004. Met with Dr. Blake on 5/27/04 it went great! Had my nutrionist apt. on July 15 and all went well then they approved me for surgery. I was also told by the dr. that does the evals for the sleep apena that I did not need a sleep test so that is one less thing to worry about. Had my lung function test on Sept. 25 and it went well also, they have approved me for surgery. On October 27 at 9 am I have an apt. with Dr. O'Jile so she can tell me just how crazy I am. After that I should be ready for my pre-op apts. and my surgery date!(which I want REALLY REALLY BAD!!!) Angie Bea

It has been a really long wait for you too. You are just around the corner now from surgery. I know you are getting anxious.

Well, I guess I started my journey about March 22, 1957 when I weighed in at 9 lbs,,,, BUT I started in Oct of 2003 when I got my consult appt with Dr. Blake for April 13, 2004.... I am ready for surgery - all appts are done except for the pre-op one for blood, etc and getting a surgery date...SOMEBODY come operate on me!!!! I don't know when my surgery will be.... I have been requested to move to Dr. Salameh, but I gather there are a bazillion folks ahead of me...dunno for sure.... All I know is hurry up and wait.... Smoochies arlies

Here's hoping that you get put ahead of many due to when you started your journey. Since you have everything done, maybe you will jump to the top of the stack and have surgery in NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I started researcing WLS back in 2001. At the time, I had BCBS MS and they refused to pay anything. I assumed I was fightng a losing battle and gave up on it at that time, then I lost my job and realized Voc. Rehab sometimes paid for the surgery and last October, 2003, I got the nerve up to contact a Counselor. Now, one year later, I am suppose to have the surgery on Oct. 16,2004. The rest of you know the story. Problems with original surgean, (wish I knew what) almost felt like I still wouldn't be having it, then a miracle happened and Dr. Salalmeh took over. I feel a little weird about having it on a Saturday, but at this point I will take what I can get just to stop all the wishywashyness.

I am sure I would feel a little weird too, just because it is not a common occurance. It sounds like he is a wonderful dr and I went back thru the board the other night all that it would let me and several months before anyone was talking about Dr SAl. someone posted that he was at umc and was doing surgeries. You know that we all will be praying for you and I am sure you will do wonderfully.

My journey started September 2002, my first appointment with a surgeon was set for March 2003. Surgeon was a jerk, moved to another state, started inquiry about surgery again in Sept 2003, waited forever to get a "letter" from tricare about it. Finally asked my PCP again at the end of November and he said he'd check into it. The first week of December when I went to see him again , he said that Tricare says that there was a letter sent out two weeks after the original inquiry in September but obviously... I DIDNT GET IT. Found out later it was sent to my old address in California and never forwarded. Long story short, in January I started looking for surgeons, got several numbers and all had a long waiting list, then called Tricare Healthcare finders line back and they gave me a number to a Doctor in New Orleans. I called and got an appointment that same week ( had business to tend to in New Orleans that day anyways so it was extremely convenient ! ). First consult first week of March '04, by April I had compiled all the info I needed and emailed the office all my doctors' names/ addresses so they could get medical records about previous diet attempts including diabetic diet, as well as the attempt of a medically supervised program and co-morbidities. Was approved by May, final appointments to ensure I was healthy to stand surgery were early June and surgery was done June 23rd ( I was given my choice of dates, could have done it two weeks earlier but for personal reasons chose that date ) Gotta say, it was most helpful to be able to pick a date. For anyone who isn't in the mood to wait six months for an appointment, and within a few hours drive of New Orleans, I'd highly recommend to check out my surgeon and his program. !!!! Andrea

Sounds like you did find an angel in New Orleans.

Oh, I can not tell you guys how much I adore my surgeon. He truly is an angel, this is the best thing I've EVER done for myself short of getting married to my hubby and having three beautiful kids, of course. Even though he comes across totally shy sometimes, he's very good at what he does and he's given me back my life..... in my eyes, my surgeon can walk on water