Update on my Orientation!

 Attended the bariatric pathway orientation yesterday for my hospital (Eisenhower Military Treatment Facility) and it went really well overall.  I am very very surprised by how little other people seem to research these surgeries though!  I have spent over 6 months learning as much as I can, and some of the people in the orientation didn't even knw the different types of surgeries available.

There were 5 people in the group this month (compared to 40 n the September group!)  and one was a lap band who just wanted her band out, another was a RNY looking for revision to sleeve.  Out of the other three of us I was the only one interested in the sleeve.  We started in psychology and the head psych lady gave a spiel on what they do.  She was pretty darn rude truthfully and spoke to us like we were complete idiots, but whatever.  She actually told one guy that he "looked like someone who enjoyed Golden Corral on the weekends" WTF?  I was shocked to say the least...

After that we went back down to surgery and had our initial height/weight taken and then the surgeon came in and went through a lengthy PowerPoint.  He seemed pretty nice, didn't get to meet the second surgeon yet but I hear really great stuff about him.  Then we had our first of three nutrition classes, it was informative, but most of the stuff I already knew.  Afterwards we attended the support group meeting which was really great, met some very nice people and they had a whole table of samples for us to take home (protein shakes, celebrate chewable vitamins, protein bars)

Overall it went really well.  Looks like I will have my first surgeon meeting sometime in mid-late November, I have to cpmplete the psych veal and nut classes first, I'm thinking surgery will prob be around January.  I'm feeling pretty good about the process and olook forward to keep everyone updated on my progress!

Sounds like you're making good time towards your goal. : )

--gina
 

 I was also surprised when I started going to the orientation how little some people knew. I'm like you and researched everything to death before I even started. Best of luck with your journey.

Trish

Sounds like you gathered more info. Did you get a bunch of samples?????

Good luck!
Meg

 Yes I did get some samples!  The Power Crunch Peanut Butter Creme wafer bar is AMAZING!  Omg, it was so yummy!  Didn't taste like a protein bar at all.  This really sweet lady gave me like 20 bottles of Blitz clear protein drinks since she doesn't care for them post op.  I'm not a big fan, they are VERY sweet but have a chalky protein after taste too.  But they do pack a lot of protein, so I am saving them for my pre op diet.  They also had grape flavored celebrate iron chewables, haven't tried them yet, but plan on it eventually.  They also had sample protein powder, I forget the brand, but it is banana flavor and I plan n mixing it up this weekend with some almond milk and frozen strawberries.