DH's WL journey-Xpost

Today Ray was to see the doc for his 'decision' appt. and to see anesthesiologist.

Checked in at anesthesiologist office at 8:45, appt at 9.  Saw him at 9:30.  He actually skimmed Ray's reports, commented on heart cath results, wanting lap band NOT rny, looked down his throat and measured his neck (20").  Out of there before 9:45.

They got a volunteer and a wheelchair and pushed him over to Dr. Pender's office.  Took 15 minutes to get there!!!   LONG walk.  Checked into Pender's office to 10.  Appt at 11:15, knew we were early, but nothing else to do.  Saw nurse at 11:30.  SHE read his notes, commented on heart cath results,and wanting lap band NOT rny, and gave him RX for 2 weeks of optifast for liquid diet.

Dr. Pender gets in there at 12:00.  Remember this is the 'decision' appt, to determine which surgery Ray wanted.  He does NOT read any notes.  Asks Ray about the heart cath results, asks Ray what the anesth said,  went over where to get stuff for the 2 week pre-op liquid diet (which will cost $150), picks up the chart, says they will submit for insurance approval which should take 6 weeks.  As soon as that comes in they will call us to COME BACK to get blood work, schedule the surgery and tell him when to start the 2 week liquid diet.  I said this is for the lap band, right?  He puts the chart back down (which he has not even glanced at)  and says "Oh, lap band?  You know you can only expect to lose 40% of your desired weight and there is only a 50% chance you will be able to get off your diabetes meds?"  I said what is his "desired weight?"  He says Ray should weigh 164 pounds (which is a 164 pound loss!)  Ray says that's OK he only wants to lose 80 or 90 pounds.  I asked where he got the 40%?  He says that is what the statistics show.  I said well, I had lost 75% of my desired weight and I was till losing.  He said (VERY surprised) "With the lap band?!"  Ray says yes, and our friend has done just as well.  He said well, you may do better than 40% with that support group.

SOOOO, we spent a total of MAYBE 15 minutes with him.  We could have done all of this over the phone.  Ray could have had his neck measured at his 2 week pre-op. 

Luckily we were able to fill up with gas at $1.75/gal (saw it a mile farther for $1.69), it's still $1.87 in our county.

IF WE ARE LUCKY, he will be able to get ins approval, go have his pre-op appt and begin his 2 week liquid diet just before I leave for OR in Jan and have his surgery when I get back!   

More waiting. 

Don't you just love the way docs make these statements???  You must be a saint to not jump all over the doc this morning....I'd have said things that wouldn't have made anything better....

Still hope things work out for surgery in Jan...

Shelia

I hope that all works out for Ray re: approval, timing and the type of surgery he ends up with.

 

Ray says when he goes in for surgery I am to put a large piece of tape across his abdomin with LAP BAND ONLY written on it in magic marker.

Grammy~
What a cluster F***! Im sorry you had to waste your time and gas going all the way to Greenville to be treated like that. Why didnt the Dr. at least pick up the damn chart and READ what the patient was there for? Best wishes for a fast insurance approval. I dont agree on how Doctors force you to buy that Opti Source crap. 10000s of others have made it through Lap Band and RNY that didnt do Opti Source and lets face it we know everytime its sold his office gets a kickback, total blackmail and extortion LOL best of luck to you and Ray

Boy, you sure are learing the waiting process!  I want to ask, why does it take that long for approval?  I'd be on the phone every other day with the Ins. co. That optisource diet is a bunch of junk......we didn't have to do it and we did just fine. Guess you've got to play by that Dr.'s rules. Shame you had to travel up there for what could be done over the phone, it's like my fills, there has to be a record of being seen for insurance to process.  See you on the 9th! Think time I'll be able to eat!!!!!!!!!(boy, can I)

Nancy

Well, the isurance is Medicare, so who knows WHY it takes so long!  TriCare for Life is his Med Sup and they will approve anything Medicare does.  Plus I'm sure NOTHING is getting done this week.   I wish I had a copy of the nutritional information for these OptiFast supplements.  I'd bet we could find something with nutritional equivalant a lot cheaper (less than $2 per serving).  We are still discussing it.  I'd also like to find someone with a packet of the dry that he could try.  I'm afraid if we go with this and he hates the taste, he won't stick to it.  If it tastes decent I wouldn't be so upset at paying the price (Merry Christmas!)  If he decides to do the OptiFast, I'm gonna call WalMart to see if they can order it, at the same cost (or less).  I object to using the pharmacy at the doc's.

Yes, I'll see ya'll on the 9th!  Can't wait to dig into their ribs!  Any idea how many will be there?  Stay warm!

Here's the nutritional information for OptiFast Supplements:  http://www.optifast.com/Pages/product_information.aspx

You and I are both Frugal Fannies, dear, so I would be right there with you trying to find an equivalant!  Good luck! 

Thank you Shauna.  I can find all of this stuff in just about any protein drink on the shelf, with lots less carbs.  He can get 100% of 24 vitamins and minerals from a vitamin.  With the EAS drinks he could have 7 of them a day!  I will be trying him on drinks, liquids and powders, over a period of the next 6 weeks while we wait for insurance approval.

Awesome!!!    You and I think alike.  I also mixed my own shakes during my 10-day fast because I found the equivilant in doing it myself.  Lo-Carb SlimFast was equal to 1 scoop 100% Whey protein powder mixed with 8 oz. unsweetened soymilk...and it tasted sooo much better!    Wishing your hubby the best of luck over the next 6 weeks and with his insurance approval.