November 13, 2010

Went to the lab Friday to get the chest x-ray and blood work done. Despite the fact that I had to disrobe (again!) it was quick and painless. My PCP said she should have the results in a few days and if everything is in order she will send over my medical clearance for surgery.

I called my surgeon's office to confirm the next items on the checklist and got a bit of surprising news. With just 34 days to go, the nurse informed me that they have canceled my surgery date because the Surgeon wants to wait till my pre-op consultation (12/1/10) to talk with me about gastric bypass surgery.

I shared concern that I am not willing to consider the bypass after seeing what a HORIFFIC experience it was for my Mother a few years back. I also mentioned that I had to request the time off work months ago and if I lose the date I don't know when I would be able to reschedule. The nurse was adamant about canceling the surgical suite.

I felt truly frustrated. I had no intention of switching to another surgery. I have researched the lap-band, learned all about the lap-band, spoken to other lap-band patients and prepared myself for the lap-band. I scheduled this surgery back in August so Im not sure why it came up at the end of the process!

I've shared in previous posts that I could tell from the informational seminar that the surgeon was not a big fan of the lap-band. He spent far more time discussing the bypass and sleeve. That being said he stated he thinks the lap-band is more appropriate for people with a BMI no higher than 45 (mine is 47) but that he's performed the surgery on people with a BMI up to 52 and will do it if its all a patient is willing to consider.

I'm hoping that if I go in and show him that I'm seriously not going to be swayed, he will acquiesce and we can get back on track for December 16th. I would be crushed to have come so far only to be shot down now. I feel if a surgeon is not willing to do a lap-band procedure than he needs to be upfront and not make a patient spend months jumping through hoops only to say no at the end.

Here's hoping I can work this out...

:bored: