My Timeline

A couple of people have asked about a timeline from initial consult to surgery.  I thought I'd post my own in its own thread.  If you've been through the process and you want to add to this thread, please feel free to do so.  I'd be interested in reading the process for others. 06.01  Initial Consult with Dr. Gornichec 06.12  Seminar attended 06.28  EGD (not normally required, but because I previously had VBG, Dr. G wanted to examine it) 07.11  2nd appt. with Dr. Gornichec.  We discussed the results of my EGD and eligibility for a revision.  Paid my $300.  Started my pre-op testing this week.  07.17  My PCP wrote the letter and I turned it in 07.19  3rd appt. with Dr. Gornichec.  Pre-op testing came back with cardio probs.  He wanted me to see a cardiologist 08.02  Insurance Approval Letter 08.14  Cardiologist Consult / attended 2nd seminar (this time, with husband) 08.16  Cardiologist Stress Test Here's what's upcoming 08.22  Nutrition Class 08.24  Pre-op appointment with spouse, start 10-day diet 09.06  SURGERY!! (as long as the rest goes smoothly) Cathy

Hey - Don't forget - August 21st - Support Group!  Hope you can make it! I am so freakin excited for you.  You are going to do awesome! Tonja

You just rock!  May 28 decided I had enough of being overweight  May 29 started online research about WLS  June 4 joined OH  June 17 decided on surgeon  June 18 contacted his office printed off packet from web site  June 28 attended seminar  July 7 received insurance approval. They had actually got it over the holiday July 18 first consult with surgeon put on the presurgery diet to lose 40( had lost 6 pounds since seminar  July 19 started diet  August 7 nutrition consult paid out $200.00 got my RNY bible was told I lost 14 pounds August 13 lost additional 5 pounds Still have another consult to get date and do the big 3.

March 24 - had appointment with PCP to renew prescription for weight loss but he wouldnt because I had already been on it a year.  He asked if I was interested in WLS and I told him I didnt think I was eligible.  He told me I was. He put in referral. April 2 - Went to first seminar in Wichita Falls to hear about lapband and meet Dr that performs it.  Also brought a friend with me who was also interested. April 16 - Had first consult with Dr and he agreed that I was a candidate for the surgery but realized today that I couldnt have lapband if I wanted my insurance to cover it so we changed it to RNY and he happens to be the only one that performs it lapriscopically (sp?)  April 23 - Drove to Wichita Falls to do the Barium test. (That was disgusting) and my girlfriend also came and did the same test. April 24 - Paperwork sent to insurance April 25 - Approval for surgery recieved May 7 - Did H- pylori test and had second appointment with Dr to set date.              Dr gave me and my girlfriend both the same date of June 28.  God, couldnt believe how quickly it all went.  I had to change my date though because of a prior arrangement made for a trip that couldnt get out of (and really didnt want to)  He resceduled my surgery for July 16th because he was going to be on vacation for a week and a half prior to that date. July 2 - started liquid diet while on my trip at a rainbow gathering...will have to tell you that was a little hard but only for two days till I went home. July 9 - Went in for my pre-op appointment and did everything July 10 - had preop appointment with Doc and he informed me he was not going to do my surgery on the 16th because I didnt quit smoking soon enough.  Had major melt down but we talked about it.   July 24 - saw doc again and he wanted to verify that I quit smoking.  he was happy that i did and said that he would do my surgery on Sept 4 as long as I stayed quit. Coming up: Today - when my oldest gets home from work at 1 we are moving her into her dorms so she can start classes on Monday.  I am feeling old now. Aug 20 - Start classes at the University and my liquid diet.  This is going to be fun.  I really wanted my surgery during the summer so that I could be all healed before classes started but because of my own stupidity it didnt work that way. Aug 21 - have my 2 week preop appointment with dr to verify that I have stayed quit smoking and I can honestly for once say that I have not smoked for over 6 weeks now.  He will be doing some testing (whatever they do) to verify this. Aug 29 - going back in to do preop appt. Sept 2 - Mine and my husbands 14th wedding anniversary (and we cant do the traditional out to dinner date since I am on my liquid diet) Sept 3 - Having my daughters 8th Birthday early because her bday is on the 6th and I wont be home or if I am I wont be up to it since I just had the surgery. Sept 4 - If all goes well I will be on the losers side this day.  I cant wait.

A bazillion congratulations on quitting smoking.  GOOD FOR YOU!!! Cathy

Thank you very much, it has been quite a challenge and I have gained a couple of pounds (okay 10 pounds) since I quit and am worried a bit about what the doc will say but oh well...as long as he doesnt reschedule me we are good.   By the way I see that you are having your surgery a couple of days after me...good luck and see you on the losers side in a couple of weeks....I know I cant wait. Deni