Appointments, Appointments, and More Appointments...

10.18.2013
I can say one thing about the preparation for weight loss surgery, it has helped me overcome my fear about going to see the doctor.

Going to the doctor used to always be a fear of mine.  Not only because I knew they were going to comment on my weight, but also because I was intensely afraid that whatever ailment I had was going to be something much worse that it really was like some incurable disease or Cancer.  I'll chalk that up to my anxiety more than anything else, cause that lovely ailment makes mountains out of ant piles on a daily basis. However, now that I have had so many doctor visits in preparation for my Gastric Bypass surgery (not to mention a rectal surgery procedure in July), I have become quite comfortable with going to see the doctor.  It's almost like going to visit an old friend, except my friends and I usually don't discuss my medical history.  (Sidebar: Maybe we should feel more free to discuss our medical issues with people close to us. It might make it easier to tell the doctor who is the person who really should know, but most people are not as honest as they should be with their doctors. But, this is another blog post waiting to happen!)  

My point here is that if you are thinking about having weight loss surgery, be sure to consider how many doctor's appointments, nutritionist visits, and exams you will have before the surgery actually happens.  Since I made the decision to have the surgery, I have had two nutritionist visits, an exam with the surgeon, consultations with my patient care advocate, a visit with a psychologist for a psych evaluation, an appointment to have labs done and blood work, and a consultation with a sleep study doctor.  Tonight, I will be doing my sleep study to determine if I do have sleep apnea (I know I do), how severe it is and if I need a CPAP machine to sleep with.  After that, I will have a follow up appointment with the sleep study center and one more visit with the nutritionist, THEN I can schedule my surgery! My insurance is sure making me jump through a few hoops before I can get the surgery, but it's a lot better than most from what I understand.  Most providers will make you wait 3-6 months before having the surgery and make you attempt a diet supervised by a nutritionist or dietitian before they will approve coverage.  At least the practice I was referred to knocked a bunch of these visits and requirements out in one office visit.  I was at the office for about 4 and a half hours, but I got a big chunk of all these appointments done at the same time, which was very helpful considering it would have effected my pocketbook and my schedule at work.

After a couple more appointments, I should know for sure when surgery is actually happening.  Until then, I think it's safe to say it will be late November when it's done.  I'm still a little apprehensive about the surgery, but mostly excited.  I'm so ready for my life to change, ready for something different.

10.19.2013
Update: I had my sleep study last night, and it went really well actually.  I felt a bit like Frankenstien being hooked up to so many wires and monitors!  I had two bands strapped around my torso, one under my arms and across my chest, one around my belly at the waist to monitor breathing, two sensors on each leg to track for Restless Leg Syndrome, two EKG sensors on my back, a cannula shoved up my nose to monitor breathing, a heart monitor on my left index finger, and at least 15 electrodes on my face and in my hair to monitor brain patterns, eye movement, if I'm grinding my teeth, etc. After getting all hooked up, I went to sleep for a bit, but was very restless. I know I woke up a few times and had a difficult time getting comfy. I don't know what time it was, but the tech came in and hooked me up to the CPAP machine and after about 20 minutes trying to get used to breathing with it on, I passed out! I swear I was dead to the world, I never slept so good in my life!  I was sleeping on my back, which I don't think I have done in about 10 years, and breathing through my nose instead of snoring.  When they woke me up at 5:20 am, I was in the same position, I hadn't moved at all since they put the machine on. So, I think it's safe to say that I certainly have sleep apnea and I need a CPAP machine ASAP!  I'm looking forward to much more restful sleep in the future!