surgeon and shrink tomorrow, what to expect?

Ok yesterday I saw the internist and got that out of the way. So far my check list is

1. Seminar
2. Primary Cares letter to Insurance
3. 38.9 Bmi with Diabetes, Sleep apnea, and starting high blood pressure
4. Visit with internist

Tomorrow I have the surgeon and the behavorist to see, 1 hr with both.  What can I expect from that visit or what should I be asking other than what we already discussed?

I know I have to have a endoscopy 2 weeks before my surgery date, which I don't think is going to be that far away right now since everything else is done.

I do have more labs being done as i had blood drawn today to get what the other labs didn't such as Vit A and a bunch of others they want.

The internist thinks I should go for a sleeve, I disagree since it does not have as high a cure rate for my diabetes and sleep apnea and I truly believe that what made me obese to begin with will come back to haunt me later on and I only want to do this ONE TIME.

I sitll think DS is best for me and I know its my decision, but based on cure rates, no dumping, ibuprofin ok cause tylenol does nothing for me, higher body fat loss, less chance of ulcers etc.

I know the drawbacks too which im willing to accept and make.

So I should know what the surgeon recommends tomorrow correct?  I know for a fact he does lightweights and longer commom channels.  and this is going to be with Dr Kemmenter out of Grand Health Partners in Grand Rapids Mi

Thank you
Tony

Hi Tony. 
Sounds like you are well on your way and well informed with is great.  DS is a great procedure for lots of folks as are most of them and they each have their good and bad.  Not all Drs do DS so if you have one, that is part of the battle.  Not all insurance will pay for DS and that can be another part of the battle.  Be open minded about what the surgeon says tomorrow so you can get all the information to use in making the best informed decisions.

The psych appointment seems to vary greatly from one area to another.  I have to fill out a multipage questionarre then we discussed my answers.  Mostly they want to know if you know what you are getting into, if you are realistic about your goals and issues and if you have support.  Just be honest and enjoy the process.

Let us know how things go.  We have a bunch of DS folks here who can help you though the process.

Hi Price,

Well im lucky in that my insurance does cover all surgeries except for stomach stapling.  So lapband, sleeve RNY and DS are all covered 100%

I also do not require prior authorization, just that I meet the requirements mentioned above so all of those are done and out of the way :-)

Its a touch decision for sure and its a life long decision.  I keep seeing more positives except for the obvious such as risk, supplements, protein etc being more with DS than RNY

 Tony,

As far as the shrink is concerned, I think you have The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory or MMPI-2 test to take.  Think of it this way.  If you weren't crazy before taking the 567 question test, you WILL be after.

The upper endoscopy is a breeze.  You are literally asleep and when you wake up, it is over.

You have already done your homework with regard to the DS.

Best of luck to you on your next step.

Charles

Mine was just talking with the Psychologist.  Its been awhile so I don't really remember all the questions, but they just want to know if you know what you're getting into, support, past eating issues, etc. 

Good luck tomorrow!  Waiting to hear how it goes.

Well I know its only an hour with the behavorist and 1 hr with the surgeon. 

On Monday they had me fill out 3 or 4 page questionaire that they said was for the behaviorist and that was just basic are you depressed, do you eat when sad, bored etc  Pretty much a test to see if you have any under lying problems, heck even asked if I have been abused sexually or mentally.

Also asked if parents gave complents, good job, all negative, no good. pretty much all over the spectrum no brainer type thing at least for me since I never had any bad upbringing or problems.

Im normal LOL right LOL

I actually look forward to the endoscopy, since I always feel bloated, get full quick but can still eat the 5lb burrito at LaSenorita it makes me wonder so im very curious about that one :-)

So not much different between a colonoscopy just the other end LOL

Funny - and we're only as normal as the definition... and what is that?  LOL.

and you're very right.  An Endoscopy is just a Colonoscopy on the other end.

Good luck tomorrow... Psych appt was a piece of cake.. Scratch that.. Chicken is better. I took the 500 questions and kept saying " are you kidding me???" and was hoping I was not being video recorded.

Meg

I found that GHP lets you pick your own surgery..they just said to me based on your bmi I would suggest this or that but its really up to you..your body your decision type of thing..really like GHP a lot.

Thanks for the info.  I will let you know how things go tonight or tomorrow depending on when I get back home.