Ottawa PAU appointment

What can we expect at our PAU appointment?  Is there anything that I should be doing / not doing before I go?  Is it similar to the PATTS?  When do the surgery appointments get arranged?

I got my date for surgery (August 18th) about 2 weeks ago.  They contacted me for the PAU a week later.  From what I understand, you will be meeting the nurse and the anesthesiologist.  They will want to make sure you are healthy for the surgery and will answer your questions in regards to post op care. 

Bring a good book...it can be 2-3 hours from what I hear.

*hugs*

I'm not sure what you mean by Pau vs Pattts.  Are you referring to the pre-admission visit?  If so, my understanding is that is what PATTS stands for -pre admission testing whch is done by the preadmission unit.  Generally in Ottawa they give you two times one for the admin side of things and one for the testing.  The admin takes 5 minutes max if there is no line.  Basically they need to know what insurance you have, type of room you want, religion, next of kin etc.  my understanding is that there are only 4 beds in trauma for WLS patients both in double rooms so I don't think it matters what type of room you ask for.  Then it's off to the pre-admission unit for the tests.  I too was it would take 3 hours but it was much closer to 1.5 and the last 15-20 minutes were about yet another research study they want you to participate in.  They do a number of things depending on you personal cir****tances.  They will check your height and weight, do blood work to ensure you are ready for surgery, go over the nitty gritty of the surgery and hospital recovery e.g pain management etc., you will get two more booklets.  You will meet with anesthesiologist who will go over your past surgeries and experiences being put under, confirm allergies, check your throat and teeth to see if there are any issues with a breathing tube, etc.  Some people will get ECGs if they have heart issues, and finally they'll talk to you about the research projects.  Generally there was not a big wait between people.  They put you in one office and cycle through one after the other.  They go over the info in the long form you filled out for the surgeon's approval.  I suppose the only thing you can do is make sure you make them aware of any new changes.  

I forgot to mention you don't get the actual time of your surgery until you get a phone call between 1-5 pm the night before.  My surgery was at 8 am last Wednesday, and they called to tell me the time at 1:15 pm on Tuesday afternoon.