Just getting started

[sring15 0]

Hello everyone, I have been reading posts and exploring this website for a couple months now. I had my consult with the physician, behavioral medicine, nutrition and physical therapy. I haven't joined the six week class that they require yet, but I'm on the waiting list. Despite all this, I am feeling a little discouraged, I was really hoping the surgery would come sooner than what it seems. I know it will all be worth it in the end, and that none of these changes will come easy, but is there any other way to feel a little more control over the whole process?!

[Smye 695]

You could always be as neurotic as I was - though I don't recommend it - and call the office to ask the same question once/week until you get there. Now I've got an Sx date 3 months earlier than anticipated with all clearances met.

[sring15 0]

How long did the whole process take you? Congratulations on the early surgery date!

[Smye 695]

A quick caveat - my experience was un-realistically fast for most folks. I got lucky on a cancellation, changed my work schedule to fit in everything ASAP for screening, and I'm self-pay, which can make the process go considerably faster.

That said, I've known I wanted to do this for a while, but only got up the gumption to go see the Dr. on Jan 8th of this year. From there, I managed to squeak in a sleep study, blood work, NUT, psych, and fitness tests all in the next week and a half by using up a fair portion of PTO from work. I take a while to arrive at a firm decision, bu once I do, I want to MOVE!

All that done, I was technically cleared for surgery, so I scheduled my tentative April date and asked if they wouldn't mind if I called periodically to see about cancellations. On getting the okay, I took them at their word and defined 'periodically' as twice/week. About 2 weeks into that process, I had a date of Feb 12, having called only an hour after the cancellation.

All told, 1 month 4 days from going to the Dr. to my Sx date. Not bad at all. I don't recommend that speed to most folks. This is an ENORMOUS decision and, as I said, I took a long time coming to it before ever seeing the Dr.