Pre-op appointment

Poster child · March 8, 2006

Well, today is the day. I am going to the pre-op appointments. I meet with the co-ordinator, the psych test, the nutritionist and the surgeon. I expect to be there at least 5 hours. I have been calm up until this point. But, today I am nervous and excited at the same time! I will check in later on today and let you know what they said. The surgeon has a very structured program, so I am sure other pre-bandsters may be interested!

I gotta weigh in for the Gone for Good Club, too!!!

NJChick · March 8, 2006

Good luck Jen

I was more nervous about the before surgery stuff than the actual surgery itself too.

Let us know how you make out.

Hugs

JanetC · March 8, 2006

Good luck Jen (if you're still there)! Let us know how it went!

Poster child · March 9, 2006

Update!

Everything went well. I am very excited now. I am going to begin Optifast for 4 weeks starting 4/10 and then surgery on 5/8. The diet is fairly structured, so I need to be good and expect to lose about 10% of my body weight before the surgery. After surgery, a very strict post-op diet consisting of Clear Liquids for 10 days, full liquids for 10-16 days, then pureed food and then regular bariatric diet. Wow, I am impressed.

He also said a fill maybe at 4-6 weeks done under fluro only with a barium swallow. Very interesting. anyway, thank you for the support and I am truly excited to be part of the band community!!!

3loves · March 9, 2006

I know how excited you are b/c that's how I felt after every appt! :biggrin1: It is a lot of info to process, so you may think of questions later on. The only appt I have left is my final pre-op class after I get approval from insurance.

I did Optifast last year for 3 mos....only 12 weeks of shakes and bars and then slowly brought food back in. It's not easy, but take it one shake & day at a time and you'll be fine. The first day is the hardest and I guarantee you that it does get easier as the days pass. The biggest thing I learned was how much I was actually addicted to food. You may have to mourn the loss (at least while on Optifast). :phanvan

Gosh, I'm just going to die if I don't get approval soon and get a date. Maybe we'll be May bandsters together. :clap2:

I'm very happy for you and wish you all the best. Let us know how it goes with the Optifast and feel free to PM me if you need an ear to listen. :mad:

Tricia K. · March 9, 2006

Congrats and we'll see you in bandland in a few months!!

Poster child · March 9, 2006

thanks Tricia!!

3loves - I can relate exactly to what you are saying!! I hope you get insurance approval soon. I am self-pay, so I can set my own date. My insurance will cover the endoscopy, so that was easy. It will also cover my pre-op labs and ekg. Right now, I feel ok. The Optifast will be 5 drinks a day with one meal, so hopefully, I won't mourn the loss of food too much.

Thanks for all the support! I have the support of my family and friends except one, but she is slowly coming around.

I can't believe it is really going to happen. One cool thing, the nurse weighed me. I said 'ugh' and she said 'that's what we're going to take care of'!! Made me feel very good!