What's up, Doc? One hurdle vaulted, many more to go.

    Well, I had my first consult w/ the surgeon Jan. 19th 2017, here in Youngstown, OH, and Dr. Woodruff has accepted me as a patient. Yippee! However, I requested a 2nd consult w/ him because instead of the 90minute session I was told it would be, it was roughly 20 & never got to ask my grocery list length of questions. I was a bit miffed   about that and I felt although he's congenial, he's a bit aloof too [it's not like he had another for two more hours I was informed by a staff member]. I sought out reviews of him on google & OH.com and this seems to be his "M.O.", but he does good work so I've read [no current reviews though on this site.  had to Google for a few recent. [sadly not everyone gives a review.  even searched YouTube.  Zilch.], I've exhausted my other options and this is the best fit for me anyway. The staff member obliged & bariatric nurse obliged & said, "of course they'll set the appt." Since he's only in the office on Thursday mornings, I'll be seeing him Thursday, Feb. 16th @ 8AM.

So now I've many specialist appointments and tests I must take to meet the surgeon's and my insurance's requirements. Luckily, as I scanned his & my insurance's requirement list, I've accomplished a good number of these in Nov. & Dec. of 2016 and in early January because I was always thinking ahead and recalled what other patients had done. I also met w/ my Pulmonologist and she's faxing him my sleep study results and a letter of CLEARANCE for Surgery.  YAY!  I've since booked the other doctors [these I'll be meeting for the first time] and all will take place during mornings in February and March . Except the support group meetings. Those are on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month @ 6-ish PM. Looking forward to it.  Cheers. 

Hope it all goes well!  And feel free to ask questions and read articles here too.  Hope he's willing to spend more time with you next time. 

Congratulations on clearing your first hurdles! It's not unusual to read on here that many of the surgeons are excellent at "cutting" but not so hot at the day-to-day care. Make sure that you are comfortable with the entire team--doctors, nurses, nutritionists, psych... because these are the people you will be counting on for long term support, more than the surgeon himself. Use OH and other sites to do copious amounts of research and don't be shy to challenge the medical team if you need something. Many can attest that pre-op care is often better than the post-op care. Always be self-educated. Good luck with everything!

Welcome! It was this time last year that I was doing exactly what you're doing!

You seem to be well schooled, and know what's going on. That'll help you immensely!

Before you know it, the day will come and you'll be on the loser's bench!