New Girl from the City

[pashmina 0]

Hi Everyone!

I'm newbie to the site, and it's been a tremendous comfort to read so many stories like mine.

I went for my first surgical consultation back in May and now, three months, eight required specialist visits, and countless pokes and prods later, I'm approved and have a date with Mt. Sinai in just under two weeks. Anybody else have the dreaded monometry (sp?)?

My insurance co. approved in three (3!) days, so now my fears have switched to post-op. How am I going to feel the first time I want to really eat, and can't? Co-worker whispers, how my boyfriend will react to the scars, the condescension and judgmentality of those who don't "get it", etc...

Beyond and above all that is excitement to have the surgery and start this new chapter in my life. I can't wait to have more energy, worry less about developing diabetes, apnea, circulation issues, and of course, NEVER have to shop at Lane Bryant again!

[KarenG. 0]

I am in NY too. My surgery is scheduled for 8/8 at Ny Hospital Cornell/Weill. I don't know what a monometry is - is it some kind of test? Who is your doctor and which insurance do you have?

[pashmina 0]

Hi Karen,

First, a BIG congrats on getting your surgery date. Manometry (got the right spelling this time) is a procedure a GI doc will do to determine the strength of your swallow and of your esophagus. My surgeon said it helps in establishing a baseline if you run into complications later.

It's fairly unpleasant because they have to stick a flexible tube up your nose and down into your esophagus until it reaches your stomach. Then they make you sip Water while they pull it out slowly to various levels. They use spray lidocaine to numb your nose and your throat, but it was still very uncomfortable.

My surgeon is Dr. Jacob, and my insurance is Healthnet, a subgroup of Guardian. I was really surprised with the quick turnaround, having heard so many horror stories about rejection.

Have you found a live support group that you like?