Questions, questions, questions - thanks.

Hi everyone - sorry haven't been on in a couple of days but I'm trying to get prepared for upcoming surgery.   I received an email today from this site re: upcoming surgery and it pointed me to the library but I can't find it.  Can anyone point me to the library? >> (this is from the note) From the library page, click on the sections on pre-op concerns. Also, I'm becoming VERY concerned about DRH  - I mean, I'm 13 days from surgery and have yet to meet my surgeon - I'm meeting him Thursday this week and I just get a call from his office and they say I have to come in two hours earlier because I'm a new patient.  I said, what?  I'm not a new patient.  And then they said they were so confused.  I'd had more trouble with this group at DRH and I'm getting very nervous.  My hubby and I are asking for a Patient Advocate as soon as we check in on 1/28 and I have an Insurance advocate also that has been assigned.   And what is with these group psych meetings I have to attend with this office.  Anyone know anything about these for the Duke Weight Loss Center? Thanks,  Terri

another question ... on the upcoming surgeries link, I don't see my surgery listed.  Is there something I need to do or did I not fill out my profile correctly??  Thanks, Terri

Duke Weight Loss Center did my lapband surgery almost 4 years ago. At that time (and it feels like a L O N G time ago, part of your patient agreement with them was that you would attend the group sessions for one year. I think the schedule was 3 weeks out , 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. It's really good to be able to talk with persons who are at the same point you are and probably having the same physical and/or emotional issues that you are. Things may have changes and I think Barb is a part of the Duke alumni more recent than myself but back then, it was part of being accepted into their program.

 

Starfish

Starfish is right ... I am part of the more recent Duke WLS Center alumni.

I know that they are incurring some growing pains and that probably has some to do with the confusion.

As Starfish commented, part of your agreement with Duke is to participate in the 3 week, 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month post op visits. Basically, you go in for your medical check up and while you are there you will meet with psych and nut in a group setting. The group basically consists of other patients that had their surgeries during the same week that you had yours. It's a good way to get a gauge on how you are doing in relation to others who had their surgery at the same time. I'm actually very surprised that most of the folks that have had their surgery in my "group" didn't have a clue about OH. I honestly don't know what I would have done from a sanity perspective if I hadn't had the support of this group, so I can see where it would be very important for folks to attend these meetings, especially if they aren't getting support elsewhere.

In the psych groups, there are discussions that are relevant to the stage you are at, at the time of group session. Food issues, dealing with friends and family members, people sabotaging ... intentionally or not, people being supportive or unsupportive, ways to garner the support you need, etc... I have found value in the sessions. I hope that you will too.

Re: not seeing the surgeon until just before surgery. I think that this is a part of Duke's patient/surgeon model. Personally, I think that it leaves me as the patient uncomfortable and doesn't foster good communication. I think that Duke has an excellent technical team, but I also have issues with their ability to effectively communicate with me as a patient. You can read more about my journey and experiences with Duke on my profile. All of this said, my husband is a good candidate for WLS and we are most likely to use Duke if we can get some insurance issues ironed out.

I hope that I have been able to help some. Please feel free to contact me anytime.

Wishing you every success in your journey.

Barb

Thanks for the responses Starfish and Carol ... it makes me feel better - your comments that is.  Well, tomorrow there is threat of sleet so it should make for an interesting run to Durham from good old Zebulon.  I hope it holds off. 

And the sessions - I'll be going to them as agree - I knew about them just didn't know what they were going to discuss.  Thanks for the clarification.

Terri

Terri: I will be praying for your safe arrival to DRH. You live in Zebulon. I live in Wendell. We should get together sometime and have a face2face chat. Good luck! Starfish

Hi Starfish - I used to live in Wendell.  Who knows?  We may already know each other.  :-) 

And wouldn't that just be way cool!    Hoping to hear good things from you when you get home and are on the "other" side!

I had a great visit with my doctor today (first time meeting him) and he echoed what you told me Carol, that DRH was under new mgmt as of last year and they are redoing things like meeting your surgeon earlier in the process.  Well, my doctor is from Rome, Italy - great accent - great hands too because he has done over 400 surgeries of this type, specializes in diabetes and gastric bypasses, studied in Portland, OR for two years with one of the best in the field, has received several Fellows and also currently has three scientists and a lab continuing his work in diabetics. I was very impressed with him.  We had a very good meeting. Hubby was with me too. Sunday I start a liquid diet of 5 Carnation Instant Breakfasts each day for the 8 days leading up to surgery.  He said he has been having his patients do this and it has been doing wonders for surgery.  So since I don't have to do that until Sunday, I can still eat shrimp on my birthday Saturday when I visit my son in Charleston, SC.  Woo HOO!!   T minus 11 days and counting!!  Thanks all -  Terri