Evaluation Appt May 4th :O)

[mama pooh bear]

May 4th I have my evaluation appointment It's an all day process, nurses, Surgeon visit and a 2 hour seminar?? What should I expect from this visit?? Is there anything I should do to get ready for it?? Please advise me Thanks, Jean

[Bissonnettemi]

Hi Jean!

I am wondering if by some chance you have asked the surgeon's office that same question? Or your co-worker who has been down this road w/ same group?

I think you will find many different answers here in that we have all had different surgeons, in different areas of the country and some docs won't have the same expectations of their patients as say mine did then and perhaps still does now (not sure since I am not a new patient of his, I'm an existing patient of his).

I will say that when I went to Dr Fobi's office for my original appt. I was taken there by the lady who was a daughter of a resident in the senior complex I lived in, who'd had the Fobi Bypass surgery and had lost over 100 lbs. I think my personal care attendant was also there as I have mobility issues. I was really frightened that they wouldn't take me as a patient and was almost in tears while there. Dr Fobi came in and gave the group a detailed talk, he spoke so clearly about what sort of patient qualifies and who does not. Some people were (pardon the pun) weeded out because they didn't have either the money nor the insurance or that they were not heavy enough for the procedure. I remember one man there who believed in his heart that he needed this surgery (he was a tall man and was probably not more than 40 lbs overweight). Dr Fobi sort of excused him, and he left in a huff. Still scared I thought he would excuse me next for some reason, but kept my mouth shut as this was sort of the end of the line for me. He didn't. Later that same day in the individual interview appt. with another surgeon from the group, I told the Doc what insurances I had (then it was Medi-Medi) and asked if they would take me as a patient (my self esteem was shot). HE smiled and laughed a bit and it broke the ice (and I had passed the worst part of what I thought was a test to be accepted as a patient of theirs). The other appts with specialists followed at another point and they were a breeze in comparison, but still had to be suited for the surgery.

One thing that I think you may have going for you is the medical opinion of another specialist that believes with your back condition that WLS would help you in dealing with that.

I had several specialists at that time and a Internist, and although I didn't have a written referral all of my specialists agreed that this would be better for me. My internist however did not and I am still not sure why as he gave no explanation.

Be clear about what questions you have of them. Write them down in a notepad and take it with you. Write their answers too or something to help you remember it. But please don't worry like I did... I did enough worrying for a dozen people I think. Pray & Hope, works so much better.


M

[Bissonnettemi]

Before Weight Loss Surgery - Consumer Guide

found this link and am hoping it may help you.

[mama pooh bear]

Thanks so much "M", I found the site and your comments very helpful. Have a wonderful pain free night, Hugs and Prayers, Jean