Pre-op Blues (Dr Kenneth Mitchell)

Hello everyone! I am a 26 year old (soon to be 27) who is almost (I think) through the pre-op evaluations for surgery. Today I recieved pulmonary clearance. I am going to my nutrician class on Thursday in Pinehurst and I am a little weary in this process. Every appointment that I go to, there seems to be an additional appointment. The partners at my firm seem to also be getting piffed about me taking long lunches every other day. When I discuss it with them, they seem to be ok, but the office morale has changes quiet a bit. I am not certain what the next steps are or how I need to move forward. When do i actually get to see Dr. Mitchell? When will I know a surgery date? This process is exhausting, and I am trying to take one step at a time. Any wisdom from the veterans?

Hi Candice, you might ask them about getting all the meetings that you have left done the same day. I was able to get the NUT; Psych; and Exercise all done in one shot at Dr. V's office. Good luck! Bobby

Thanks for your response. Because of the way the process works at Moore Regional, scheduling for one day doesnt seem to work. That would be to methodical and easy. Each appointment I go to for clearance, the physician wants me to go do further testing, all of which come back fine. I still have my nutirican class on Thursday, Fitted for a CPAP next Wednesday, Cardiac stress test next Thursday, and final psych eval on the 21st of May. Mind you I have been on so many appointments to date that I have completely lost count. Someone please tell me I am doing the right thing. I know that I am, but it is sure good to hear it again.

Hi! Sorry you feel bad. I too am almost done with my pre op evals. I am so excited. I wish you felt like this. I am lucky to have co workers that really support me and when I get back from each appointment, they are all at the door asking how it went. You are doing the right thing. This is for your health. I know that the appointments are numerous, it takes alot of $, & it sometimes feels like each time you have another apt, it is like a kick knocking you backwards. It is all worth it. Maybe you can do what I did. I made a list of all of the evals. Everytime I go to an apt, I mark it off the list. I don't know if it will make you feel like you are getting something accomplished. I wish I could help. I also post on my blog too. I love to get responses and words of encouragement from the others here. You know what? I am going to look at your blog and will make it my effort to give you encouragement. Don't feel bad. This will ultimately help you at work once your weight comes off, you will be more lively and better at work. Hang in there. SMILE, be happy, this is for you and nobody else. *~stacy~*

OK Ms. Candice, I went to your blog and there is nothing. How can we give you our love and support if we don't know what is going on. Post every eval you pass on your blog. That way we can see and can do a little comment and give you encouragement. What more could you ask for ...... here you can have your own little cheering group! Take care. Start telling us what you get done.

Stacy, Thank you for your responses and email. Point well taken... I am going to begin working on updating my blog so everyone can see what is going on. Thank you for all your encouraging words. It is definately what I needed to hear today. Candice

Ok Stacy! I have officially placed my info on my blog. I am going to try to post there from now on through this journey. Thanks again for your kind words. Candice

Hi Candice! I was just on your page reading your blog. I am also going through the Duke WLS Center! I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I got some really good advice on this forum. Feel free to read my blogs and maybe we can go through this together.

Amanda, Thank you for your posting. I would love to connect with you. Where are you in your process? Tell me more about you!

Hi Candice, Good Luck with your journey. Ask the medical staff to provide you with a list of the requirements and such that you will need to make this journey happen. Maybe you can schedule an afternoon off to have the tests or visits, I know taking time off helped me because it got me away from the nay sayers at work. I realize that those people did not want me to suceed in this journey and they are afraid of changing. You will have to find a happy medium with your partners. This surgery is life changing and you are making this decision to make your life better. I sit across from some CATTY women, one girl takes jabs at me all the time, I don't know or like her but yet she feels the need. She is very overweight and hasnen't take control of her eating or her emotions. I had some complications from my RNY surgery and the first thing the people at work said, Oh I told you so, unhuh, i know this lady and her mother's brother's uncles friend died from weight loss. Now really, I don't have a sign on my head saying tell me the gorey details. It's just like pregnancy everyone wants to tell you the horror stories. In the end, it is you who is trying to change her life and it will be up to you to be sucessful at it. So, if it means creating a few bumps at work, it's ok. Just remember, jobs are jobs, you will be fit and healthy which is so worth it. Please email me privately if you'd like to chat. Jennifer