My DH's WL journey

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.