Unicornucopia.org

I haven't updated folks in a while, so I figured I should probably do this.

I've been to the nutritionist twice so far. She thinks I'm a perfect
candidate for the surgery. I've done my research, I've got a life history of
morbid obesity, I've got several co-morbities (diabetes, GERD, sleep apnea,
and arthritis). She feels that my mental approach to the whole thing is
healthy and appropriate, and basically I'm ready to go for the RIGHT
reasons. We briefly discussed the possibility of getting me on the
accelerated track for surgery, which would please me greatly as the more
time that I have to heal before faire next year, the happier I'll be.

Shado and I went to the little seminar thingie that my surgeon has to
introduce potential patients to the surgery and what it entails. I've been
to these before for other doctors as I was deciding who to have do it, and
so not much of the information was new to me. My main reason for going was
twofold:

1. it's required by the office that you attend before you can make a
consultation appointment with the surgeon

2. I like to see the surgeon's "people abilities" ahead of time.

I think that this doctor will do just fine. He's matter of fact, but not
overbearing. He honestly cares about the people he's performing surgery on,
and is truly happy to see them doing well. There are some other points in
his favor:

0 mortality rate. He's never lost anyone.

0 problems with leakage. This is good, as leakage can cause all SORTS of
internal problems. He staples, sutures AND uses a bio-friendly form of
superglue to keep the connections between stomach and intestine from forming
any kind of leak

Only 2 people with any kind of infections, and those were both among the
first 18 surgeries he did, because the hospital required that the first 18
gastric bypasses he did were open, not laproscopic. Now he really ONLY does
the lap surgery, and has yet to find any circumstance that requires the open
rather than the lap.

If a patient has sleep apnea he has pulmonary specialists check on them
after the surgery to be sure that the anesthesia has not caused any problems
with their breathing.

Overall, he strikes me as VERY conscientious and caring. I like him. I like
that he's not overbearing. I know myself, and I tend to get rebellious if
someone comes down on me like a Marine Corps Drill Sergeant. That would be
very very bad in this situation, as it could cause a lot of problems if I
start rebelling about what I can and can't eat.

I have my official consultation with him on the 17th at 2:30. At this point
I will get his verdict on whether he'll take me as a patient. I will also
talk to his office about a schedule for the surgery. At the seminar I spoke
with the Program Coordinator and he's been getting reports from the
Nutritionist. He ALSO thinks I may be a good candidate for the Accelerated
Program, which would mean that I could have the surgery as soon as July or
August. This would be SO preferable for me!

As to the ucky stuff, there will be about $1500 in fees that insurance
doesn't cover. They do payment arrangements and financing. This will cut
into our house money, but Shado says that's all right, he'd rather have me
healthy. The $1500 also includes a 3 month membership in "Bari-Active", the
exercise program that they have set up with Presbyterian's physical therapy
department. It includes water aerobics and various other things, all
designed for people who have just had bariatric surgery. Me in a swimsuit is
a frightening thought, but I'd be with other people who are huge too.
*chuckle* And we'll all be getting smaller by doing it!

They say that it will be about six weeks before I'm really able to be active
again, and that I'll have no energy for that six weeks or so, but that I can
be back at work within a week or two at most. It takes nearly 6 - 9 months
to FULLY heal, which is why I really want to have the surgery in
July/August. I have plans for faire next year which count on me being able
to be active.

They also work with you to help make your new eating style work within your
own life. Since my life is so insane, this will be a BIG plus. They also
have lifetime followups, with appointments at 3, 6, and 9 months, then
annually from then on. Nutrition classes, blood workups to be sure that the
body chemistry is all functioning as it should, and resulting tweaking of
eating and vitamin mixes to be sure that there is no form of malnutrition as
a result of the surgery are all standard as well.

Anyway, that's probably more than anyone wanted to know, but that's the
update for now. I'll have more information after my appointment on the 17th.