Question:
I need to have patience.

I just want to get this surgery over with so I can go on with my life, but I'm so upset because it seem to be taking so long to get a date with my surgeon. Do you think I'm tryign too hard....also can you drink coffee or tea once you have this surgery? Please be patient with me, I'm sooooo depress that I'm about to give up. Thank you Lord for this site it has been my only information and support and Thank you FRIENDS    — blank first name B. (posted on June 8, 2001)

June 8, 2001
Hi Deborah, I know how you are feeling. I haven't even been to my consultation yet. It isn't until August 21st. I feel the same way you do, I can't wait to be starting a whole new life! Don't give up! I asked someone to help me deal with the patience and they gave me a lot of idea's. Such as getting the house ready for post op. Anyway, hope that helps you a little. By the way, as for the coffee and tea issue, all I can say is I sure hope so!
   — Happy B.

June 8, 2001
I am going thru the same thing. I SUSPECT that some of the delays are intentionally created by the surgeons for a VERY good reason. This is a life changing operation that is really not reversible. They may be concerned that if its too easy to get some unfortunate folks may be able to have surgery before they really ponder just what it all means. With the delays only the dedicated stick in there to the big day and thus are better able to deal with the changes it involves. Too easy and some would be asking for reversals. Of course the requirements for insurance approval, pre op tests, and the demands on the few surgeons who specialize in these operations. This is just my opinion but its sensible although very frustrating.
   — bob-haller

June 8, 2001
I understand how you feel, I feel like I am there as well. My surgeon wants to do mine this summer as soon as he can because I have medical internship starting in August. We want to get the surgery done so it will not interfere. The surgeon isnt the problem... it's insurance. They keep dragging their feet, I have Aetna. Everyone seems to have gotten a response from Aetna pretty quickly, instead they lost my paperwork and now it is sitting on some nurses desk. I am not going to give up, right now I am just trying to keep my days filled with things to do until I get the ok. Don't give up
   — karen Z.

June 11, 2001
On the question of coffee and tea - I am 9 1/2 months out and enjoy my coffee and tea immensely! Only problem, is that I sometimes drink them and not my water. I am working on that problem. Best of luck!
   — nealp