Today I had my much anticipated Lap Band consultation at Dr. Oh/Dr. Hirai's office in Federal Way.

Oy vey!

I forgot to double check to see where I actually needed to go!

There were several phone numbers and addresses listed on the paperwork from the seminar. I tried to call before I left the house, but it was during the lunch hour - they don't answer the phone between 12pm & 1pm...

I decided I'd go to the address for a clinic that's a few blocks from the main hospital. I thought I'd be early enough that I could run to the correct place if need be.

I live around an hour's drive away from their office. I was really nervous so I ended up getting there nearly 30 minutes early.

The parking was very limited. Walking through the older office building is almost like a maze. I'm sure I'll be able to find it all in my sleep by the time this is all done, but it was a little confusing for a first-timer.

Once I made it to the right office, I found that the receptionist was super nice! She handed me about 10-12 pages of paperwork to fill out. I was done with them long before my appointment time. Since it was in the afternoon, they were running behind schedule.

I was called back to be weighed, etc. a little after 3pm (my appt was for 2:40pm).

Apparently I'm 5' 5 3/4" tall. Huh? I've been going around for years thinking that I'm 5' 8". Oh well, it works in my favor for WLS! :tongue:

I waited in the exam room for around an hour. It was so quiet out in the hall that I almost started to think that everyone went home for the day. :eek: It was after 4pm when Dr. Oh came to see me.

A friend of mine who has gone through the process with them, told me that Dr’s Oh and Hirai often switch & cover for each other. Honestly, I was a little scared when he walked through the door. I made my appt to see Dr. Hirai. I guess they really do switch/swap/cover each other’s appointments!

I’d heard some less-than-glowing reviews of Dr. Oh’s bedside manner, so I was quite nervous. I’m happy to say that my experience with him thus far was positive! He was very nice.

He had me sit in the chair next to his desk and asked me questions from a form, rapid fire. “Do you hurt here? Do you have this? Does your family have that? What surgeries have you had? What medications do you take?” and so on.

He pulled out the ol’ stethoscope and listened to me breathe. He checked my belly button.

He said he wanted me to stop at the front desk on the way out & schedule an upper GI endoscopy and follow-up. I asked him about pre-op weight loss – my friend told me Dr. Oh requires a 10% loss. He confirmed that & said he’d send everything to my insurance for approval, and we were out the door.

Since I homeschool and my DH is in the military, I needed to bring my son with me. I was nervous about that – afraid they’d kick me out the door when I tried to check in. Luckily it didn’t happen.

I’ve had chats with my DS about the lap band, all the appointments I’d need, etc. in age-appropriate terms. He has done really well sitting still and being quiet. Part of it might be the heavy bribery I did, :w00t: but either way I’m so thankful that he’s been a perfect gentleman and that the people at the doctor’s office have been ok with him being there!

However, I’m not thrilled about the endoscopy appointment. The earliest I could get in is five weeks from my consultation. I also am required to have a driver. Huh? Nothing like making it simple for a homeschooling mom with a DH in the military and no family in the state. Sheesh! :eek:

I hope I can find someone to go with me.