Question:
Im SO nervous and its only just begun!

After almost 6 months of testing and referral, etc, I'm finally going to see the surgeon for my first visit with him. I have been having nightmares (really) about this date, everything from him denying me to him cutting me open right then and there! What happens on the first visit? What types of things should I write down to be prepared to answer?? I'm nervous, excited, etc.... I didn't realize this process would take so long just to get in to see him. I was supposed to start school August 22, but decided to wait until after my surgery to start in January....Do you think I'll get my surgery by then???    — Karen W. (posted on September 20, 2002)

September 20, 2002
I too was very nervous about my first visit to my surgeon. I saw Dr. Butler in Altamonte Springs, he also has an office in St. Petersburg. My first visit to him, I saw a video on WLS then had to take a quiz. Next I got a photo taken, weighed and a physical. I wasn't as bad as I thought. I had a surgery date made right before I left the office. If my insurance company approved me in time I didn't have to reschedule, which can happen but did not happen to me. It's not all that bad! I had open RNY on 6/26/02. Good Luck and best wishes!
   — Adele S.

September 20, 2002
My first visit to my surgeon, I was sent around to several different suites in her office building for more tests such as pulmonary (blow in the tube tests), blood tests, chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, insurance stuff, etc. When I was done with all those tests and filling out pages of paperwork, I was then weighed, measured, had my "before" picture taken, and had a pelvic exam. When we were done, my surgeon took me into her office and explained Everything about the procedure to me. She showed me the stapling tool, diagrams, and answered my long list of questions I had with me. I started at 9:50 a.m. and finished around 4:30 p.m. Yes, I was worried as well that "something" would happen which would postpone my surgery date - and it almost did as I had lower-than-average pulmonary test results. (There were some breathing exercises I was told to do which I didn't do. Had I done them, my pulmonary results would have been better. My bad.) Anyway, don't agonize over this appointment. It's all routine stuff for your surgeon and his/her staff. Now, if you should come across something that would postpone your surgery, it would be upsetting but believe me, they postpone in your best interests. They want to make sure you are healthy enough to withstand the rigors of surgery and recovery. Good luck to you on your upcoming appointment! :o)
   — Jennifer A.

September 20, 2002
My first visit was cool they took a before picture of me and the surgeon ordered some tests. Ecocardiogram, stress eco, PFT test, gallbladder ultrasound, Upper endoscopy. Then she asked me to lose 10% of my weight and made anouther appoinment for me to see her. The second appointment I got a surgery date for sometime in december. Am still in shock about this read my profile.
   — sheri B.