My appointment update! (long sorry)

Sorry it took me awhile to update everyone, it was a long day and then i had school and tons of homework.  So here goes....i go back and they weigh me (hate that part) take my blood pressure and which the bottom number was an 88 and my heart and pulse rate were high also.  They asked if I exercised or walked a long distance before coming in and of course I didnt I just was so freakin nervous!!  Ha I thought it was funny.  Anywho they put me in a room, small room at that, and I weight honestly for 2 hours.  2 long hours since I was by myself.  I was really frustrated.  So the doctor comes in and you know what it wasnt even the doctor I was supposed to be seeing.  It was another doctor since Dr. Pender apparently to busy to see me.  But he was real nice and went over both surgeries and asked why I wanted this and so on.  That took about 25 mintues and I was done.  I waited 2 hours for 25 mintues.  Anyways Dr. Pender does come in before I walk out and introduced himself and did apologize.  Which made me feel better.  They sent me to the hospital and I got the xray, ecg, and some blood test where they got blood out of your wrist, that hurt so bad compared to my arm.  So now all I have to do is wait for a letter in my mail telling me when my next appts. are.  I know I still have to see the nut and dietician but I do not know what other test I need.  We will see.  I just hope it doesn't take a long time to receive in the mail.  Thanks for listening and again sorry so long. Amanda

Amanda -

I'm sorry to hear that your appointment took so long and that you didn't get to see your Dr at your appointment. If you have time to look at my profile, you'll see that we had nearly the same thing happen even though we are going through completely different practices ...

I'm sorry that the arterial blood gas hurt so much ... the best thing about that one is that the only have to do it once.

I hope that you get your appointments soon.

I'm glad you are on your way ... take care.

Barb

I know i hope I get them in real quick too.  Thanks for all your encouraging words Barb! Amanda

Hey Amanda! I know exactly what you mean!  My first appt. was at 8:00 am I did not meet Dr. Pender until about 9:45am.  The blood they take from your wrist is a killer.... mine was sore for a few days. In few weeks you will get a whole packet of appointments that you have to go do. They try to make them on the same day so it should not be so bad.  The only crappy part about the Nutrition and Psyc appt. is that insurance does not pay for it (AT ALL).   But it's all worth it in the end.... I was called today with my "Decision Appt"  after you finish everything they call you in for your caretaker to ask quesitons, tell you about surgery day, and make you meet with the anesthesiologist. What did you think about him?? -Meagan

TRICARE DOES pay for the psychologist!!!! Just not the nutritionist!! Don't bother asking to use one at the Naval Hospital, because his answer will be a straight up NO!!! :( I tried..since I had been seeing a nutritionist here on base for the past 7 years!! *sigh* oh well, $200 it's a small price to pay for such a surgery!!

Well I only met Dr. Pender for about 5 minutes he was real nice to me and apologized for not making the appt.  I hope they can get all the appts in one day because I have to drive ateast 2 hours to get there.  I know the nutritionist is not covered but I believe the pysc appt is. Congrats on moving a little bit closer to getting your date.  I really wish I could get the appts next week but im sure that wont happen bc I know they are busy.  Well good luck to you Meagan let me know what they say! Amanda

Yeah Dr. Pender is a BUSY man all of a sudden. He has recently taken on some of Dr. Chapmans work load temporarily! You must have seen Dr. Bergossi, he is actually here for a year training with Dr. Pender, before he goes to California to start doing the gastric bypass surgeries himself :) He is really nice, I think I have a picture of him and me in my picture albums!!!  I CANNOT believe it took 2 hours...Im sorry :(  I went the other day and it was a good hour for me! But at least Dr. Pender was courteous enough to come and introduce himself!!  Yeah that blood test they give in the wrist, made me sick!!  You will also be getting a Upper G.I. test...that is not fun...but it is completely painless :) so that's a plus! You also will have a consult with an anesthesiologist and of course the nutritionist and the psych eval (BEWARE OF HER) she is crazy!!!! LOL  Also booty loads of blood work!! You have now begun your first steps of your journey and what a ride you have yet to come!!! EVERYTHING will be soooooooo worth it in the end girl!!! Just have patience and remember why you are doing this!!  Thanks for sharing!!
((HUGS))

Jami That is who I had, I remembered his name but did not know how to spell it and did not want to butcher it!  I do remember he did have very pretty eyelashes. Ha thats a weird thing to remember.  I know that the upper GI is not fun bc my daughter had to go through it when she was 12 months. Yeah if she wouldnt drink the barium I know I wont.  Is the pysc evaluation that bad?  Im ready for this journey and need all yalls support bc I do not have a lot of that around me right now. Thanks Amanda

WE ARE HERE FOR YA GIRLIE!!! You have now met your new BFF's in the WLS world...LOL Your friends and family will NEVER ever understand what this process entails and what we go thru!! That is why it is so neat to meet such awesome, awesome people who know EXACTLY what you are going thru!!! If you ever need anything, you've got my number, please call!!

My psych eval was at the Pain Management Center and it was with a man..... It began with an "A" and it was German I cannot spell it.   He was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Very down to earth and asked alot of questions about if you were already preparing for WLS by making diet changes, activity changes, and if you understand how it is going to be after WLS. If you get him you have nothing to worry about because he told me that is usually approves everyone unless you don't understand WLS or you want WLS for unacceptable reasons (ie: you want WLS just so you can chase your dream of being a model). He said he will not approve anyone who thinks this is a quick fix or who wants this done for cosmetic reasons. Good Luck!