triplenmomma

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice everyone! I really appreciate it. I was so nervous this morning for my consult, but it went really well. I picked a surgeon from my husband's hometown, and they knew lots of the same people. It put us instantly at ease. He said that he would take good care of us. My husband used to work with his uncle a neurologist, and anyway, it's a small world. I am going with Dr Emil Graf at Banner Gateway, just outside of Phoenix. They will soon be opening up the program on the west side at Banner Estrella and I hope to have my surgery there, as my husband is an RN on the floor I'll stay on. I've already picked out my nurses. So, here's what I found out: No Drain or Cathetor No Blood Thinner Shots at home-just orders to walk a lot He does an EGD in the OR, and fills my stomach up looking for leaks from the inside and the outside. His leak rate is lower than his peers. 2 week liquid pro op diet follwed by 1 day of clears, then 1 month of fulls, then soft He thinks the sleeve is the perfect choice for me NO diet or consultations needed. My insurance is awesome, and covers it 100% after a $2000 copay with no hoops to jump thorugh. No diet, or classes, or consultations required. Yay! I also met with the nutritionist, and honestly, did not like her. She giggled and made jokes through the whole thing. I actually did not feel comfortable asking her questions when she asks them this way. : "I'm sure you're just dying to learn about viatamins....just kidding, I won't bore you with that stuff." Actually, yes, yes I would. I am waiting for the other center to be up and running and meet with the NUT there, and hope I click with her better. I'm all for joking and having a good time, but this is serious business to me. I need to learn what I need to do. I scheduled my Psych eval for 3/5. That's the next step. EGD, and then surgery. My insurance is awesome and has no hoops to jump through. We are aiming for late May for surgery. I'm excited now, and not nearly as nervous. Thanks again everyone! Heather

Thanks so much! Great suggestions. Keep them coming. I will let you all know how it goes.

Great questions! I am an RN also and didn't even think about asking about the drain. Wouldn't bother me either way, but good to know. Also didn't think about the catheter. Did you have one?

I was also going to suggest that you request your medical records. It is well within your rights to do so. Best of luck finding a new surgeon and center.

I'm aiming for the last week of May. I want the kids out of school so that I can heal without worrying about having to go anywhere. I have my first meeting with my surgeon Friday and am anxious to hear of this timeline works for him. My insurance has no requirements for diets, classes etc, so my timing is all up to my MD and what he wants me to do prior.

First post for me! I also had decided on the band until I went to the initial required information session and the surgeon flat out stated that he would only very rarely do the band and listed the rate of complications for years down the road as the reason. I too had to wrap my head around considering the sleeve due to this. After researching and thinking, I have concluded that it is the best option for me. Once healed, the risk of complications is very low. As an RN, that is wanting the best long term solution, I have decided to pursue the sleeve. My first consultation is this Friday! Good luck with your decision.