Re: Starting on the path to the MGB..STEPS

[Guest guest]

Stevie, thanks for the detailed " to do " list. I am scheduled for Nov.

20 clinic, my first. I've got most of my patient packet ready, so I

better get to work and finish, huh? I hate having those yearly

physicals. Yuck!! But if we must. I printed a copy of your list to

help me. And Tara, good luck to you, and all pre-ops! May the force be

with us!!! :-)

[Guest guest]

Tara (and other pre ops):

Once you are ready to really start considering the surgery, I suggest you do

what you've

done-get the patient info pack from Debbbie. Inside it is a list of steps to

take to have

the surgery. Follow those. But the short version (from someone who has been

there):

1) Schedule an appointment with your PCP to discuss the surgery. MAKE SURE TO

BRING ALONG A

COPY OF DR R'S MANUAL TO LEAVE WITH THEM IN CASE THEY HAVE ANY FEARS! Some folks

had an

inital meeting with their PCP to discuss the surgery where others went ahead and

scheduled a

physical and discussed it during the physical.

I did the 2 appointments-only because a physical takes about an hour of the docs

time and I

wanted her full attention on the subject of the surgery. (In my case, it really

helped

alwing her to take the book home. Now she keeps it on hand for new patients she

sees who she

might suggest the surgery to!)

But, here's a little " SECRET " I learned about getting in to see the PCP sooner

than later

for that physcial appt-many of which are scheduled MONTHS in advance! When you

call the

nurse or appt sec'y, tell them it's for a pre-surgery physical-not a random run

of the mill

employment physical,e tc. And they actually get you in MUCH quicker!

2) If you don't have a psych right now, get one and make an apt for an

evaluation.All you

need them to do is an MBII test, or a depression screening type test or just

meet with them

enough times to be able to evaluate you and your reasons-if they are realistic

and sound for

undergoing such a major procedure.

3. Schedule a 1st time clinic Sat appt with Dr R in Durham, NC. (If you are out

of state, he

has different rules-all explained on the website or in the handbook that's

coming)

4. Start calling or emailing 10 or more post op pateints and ask them anything

and

everything about the surgery. (It's a requirement, but will really help you)

5. Get the support of at least one other person who can travel with you. Show

them the

handbook and let them have it for a day or so to read it and see. (A family

memeber is

preferred, and Dr R doesn't like those who don't tell family members-like

spouses, kids,

parents, etc-why they are going to the hospital..In fact, he has REFUSED surgery

on somone

in the past (Deb Hill) because she did not tell her family what she was going in

for.

Also, it is a requirement tohave a support person write a letter to Dr R.

6. Set a date if you think insurance will pay-allowing them at least a month to

approve

you-and look around or call for hotels in the NC area if you will be coming from

out of twn.

(People on this list will have helpful opinions for you).

7. Make an appt with your OB-GYN-a complete physical as well..Again, tell them

it's for

upcoming surgery so they can fit you in quickly.

8. Start making contigency plans for being away from work or home during your

" planned "

surgery. (Check sick leave, alert your boss what you are up to..surgery is all

they need to

know...etc.)

9. Start working on your patient letter and patient info form (which contains

your diet and

medical and family histories). info on both are on the www.clos.net website. TRY

TO COMPLETE

THE PATIENT INFORMATION FORM IN ADVANCE OF THE CLINIC VIST OR YOU WILL SPEND THE

FIRST HOUR

OR SO OF CLINIC FILLING IT OUT AND YOU MIGHT FORGET A LOT OF CONDIIONS< DIETS<

ETC THAT MAY

BE CRUCIAL IN YOUR INSURANCE FINDING FAVOR IN YOUR CASE!!! Keep in mind thta

Debbie takes

these forms from you at clinic and enters them AS IS in the computer and Dr R

sends an

insurance request letter from THAT info! It is VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE IT

COMPLETE!!!! PLus,

what a pain to sit there and fill out forms at clinic!

I printed mine out, plus downloaded it and emailed it-to save Debbie some

typing-and made it

look " pretty " for insurance, etc. I also made a copy for my PCP and my own files

so I would

have a good medical info history if I needed it.

10. Clean your house! LOL! The most stress I went through was getting my

house in order

so that my support people-like mom and friends-could find things like dog food

and glasses,

etc while they were in my house and I was in the hospital and for wen I got back

and they

wanted to get me things. Last thing I needed and a wanted was my mom banging

cabinets asking

every other minute " where do you keep your glasses?, etc. "

11. Get your hair " fixed " in advance of the surgery as many reports have said

processing is

NOT a good idea for a hile after surgery-especially when hair is so fragile it

may fall out

in a few months. So, if you dye your hair, I would do it ahead of time. Same

goes with a

perm or anyting like that. My haiedresser said perms are no-nos for a while

after surgery

and anesthesia, but coloring was ok. It's up to you.

12. Take some pictures of yourself NOW!!! You may hate the camera right now, but

you will be

sorry later if you don't have good " before and after " shots to show folks how

well you've

done! Get brave! I took a roll of bathing suit and clothes shots that I will

lock away until

needed someday!

13. Can't think of any else right off the bat, but I know there are

tons..(Someone will

surely add something once Ipost this anyway), but in the meantime, just get

ready to have a

new life!

Good luck!

Stevie and her wild man, Beau...

___ | |

/ Z @--o | |

/ _/ | |

/ \ / / ___| |__

/ * \ / ) / () ()\

/__/ \____/______|______________/------------------------->

\ /

\

~~~~~~~~~ ` ~~~~~~ ` ~~~ ` ~~~ ~ ~ ` ~~~ ` ~~~~~

> From: suni4ever@...

>

> Hi everybody! My name is Tara and I've decided to take the plunge and go for

the MGB.

Does anyone remember approx.

how long it took from the beginning

> of the process until you were actually going in for the procedure?

> Tricare? I don't even know how to bring this up to the PCM's there since it

seems like a

> lifetime to get an appo!intment for anything other than an emergency.

[Guest guest]

Stevie,

You are the best!!! Thanks so much for the detailed list. I am all over

it!!! Come on " pre-ops " lets keep the ball rolling so we can soon be on

the road to victory!!!!

Tara

Re: Starting on the path to the MGB..STEPS

> From: stevie@... (Stevie)

>

> Tara (and other pre ops):

>

> Once you are ready to really start considering the surgery, I suggest you

do what you've

> done-get the patient info pack from Debbbie. Inside it is a list of steps

to take to have

> the surgery. Follow those. But the short version (from someone who has

been there):

>

> 1) Schedule an appointment with your PCP to discuss the surgery. MAKE SURE

TO BRING ALONG A

> COPY OF DR R'S MANUAL TO LEAVE WITH THEM IN CASE THEY HAVE ANY FEARS! Some

folks had an

> inital meeting with their PCP to discuss the surgery where others went

ahead and scheduled a

> physical and discussed it during the physical.

>

> I did the 2 appointments-only because a physical takes about an hour of

the docs time and I

> wanted her full attention on the subject of the surgery. (In my case, it

really helped

> alwing her to take the book home. Now she keeps it on hand for new

patients she sees who she

> might suggest the surgery to!)

>

> But, here's a little " SECRET " I learned about getting in to see the PCP

sooner than later

> for that physcial appt-many of which are scheduled MONTHS in advance! When

you call the

> nurse or appt sec'y, tell them it's for a pre-surgery physical-not a

random run of the mill

> employment physical,e tc. And they actually get you in MUCH quicker!

>

>

> 2) If you don't have a psych right now, get one and make an apt for an

evaluation.All you

> need them to do is an MBII test, or a depression screening type test or

just meet with them

> enough times to be able to evaluate you and your reasons-if they are

realistic and sound for

> undergoing such a major procedure.

>

> 3. Schedule a 1st time clinic Sat appt with Dr R in Durham, NC. (If you

are out of state, he

> has different rules-all explained on the website or in the handbook that's

coming)

>

> 4. Start calling or emailing 10 or more post op pateints and ask them

anything and

> everything about the surgery. (It's a requirement, but will really help

you)

>

> 5. Get the support of at least one other person who can travel with you.

Show them the

> handbook and let them have it for a day or so to read it and see. (A

family memeber is

> preferred, and Dr R doesn't like those who don't tell family members-like

spouses, kids,

> parents, etc-why they are going to the hospital..In fact, he has REFUSED

surgery on somone

> in the past (Deb Hill) because she did not tell her family what she was

going in for.

> Also, it is a requirement tohave a support person write a letter to Dr R.

>

> 6. Set a date if you think insurance will pay-allowing them at least a

month to approve

> you-and look around or call for hotels in the NC area if you will be

coming from out of twn.

> (People on this list will have helpful opinions for you).

>

> 7. Make an appt with your OB-GYN-a complete physical as well..Again, tell

them it's for

> upcoming surgery so they can fit you in quickly.

>

> 8. Start making contigency plans for being away from work or home during

your " planned "

> surgery. (Check sick leave, alert your boss what you are up to..surgery is

all they need to

> know...etc.)

>

> 9. Start working on your patient letter and patient info form (which

contains your diet and

> medical and family histories). info on both are on the www.clos.net

website. TRY TO COMPLETE

> THE PATIENT INFORMATION FORM IN ADVANCE OF THE CLINIC VIST OR YOU WILL

SPEND THE FIRST HOUR

> OR SO OF CLINIC FILLING IT OUT AND YOU MIGHT FORGET A LOT OF CONDIIONS<

DIETS< ETC THAT MAY

> BE CRUCIAL IN YOUR INSURANCE FINDING FAVOR IN YOUR CASE!!! Keep in mind

thta Debbie takes

> these forms from you at clinic and enters them AS IS in the computer and

Dr R sends an

> insurance request letter from THAT info! It is VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE IT

COMPLETE!!!! PLus,

> what a pain to sit there and fill out forms at clinic!

>

> I printed mine out, plus downloaded it and emailed it-to save Debbie some

typing-and made it

> look " pretty " for insurance, etc. I also made a copy for my PCP and my own

files so I would

> have a good medical info history if I needed it.

>

>

> 10. Clean your house! LOL! The most stress I went through was getting

my house in order

> so that my support people-like mom and friends-could find things like dog

food and glasses,

> etc while they were in my house and I was in the hospital and for wen I

got back and they

> wanted to get me things. Last thing I needed and a wanted was my mom

banging cabinets asking

> every other minute " where do you keep your glasses?, etc. "

>

> 11. Get your hair " fixed " in advance of the surgery as many reports have

said processing is

> NOT a good idea for a hile after surgery-especially when hair is so

fragile it may fall out

> in a few months. So, if you dye your hair, I would do it ahead of time.

Same goes with a

> perm or anyting like that. My haiedresser said perms are no-nos for a

while after surgery

> and anesthesia, but coloring was ok. It's up to you.

>

> 12. Take some pictures of yourself NOW!!! You may hate the camera right

now, but you will be

> sorry later if you don't have good " before and after " shots to show folks

how well you've

> done! Get brave! I took a roll of bathing suit and clothes shots that I

will lock away until

> needed someday!

>

> 13. Can't think of any else right off the bat, but I know there are

tons..(Someone will

> surely add something once Ipost this anyway), but in the meantime, just

get ready to have a

> new life!

>

> Good luck!

>

>

>

> Stevie and her wild man, Beau...

> ___ | |

> / Z @--o | |

> / _/ | |

> / \ / / ___| |__

> / * \ / ) / () ()\

> /__/ \____/______|______________/------------------------->

> \ /

> \

>

> ~~~~~~~~~ ` ~~~~~~ ` ~~~ ` ~~~ ~ ~ ` ~~~ ` ~~~~~

>

>

> > From: suni4ever@...

> >

> > Hi everybody! My name is Tara and I've decided to take the plunge and

go for the MGB.

> Does anyone remember approx.

> how long it took from the beginning

> > of the process until you were actually going in for the procedure?

>

> > Tricare? I don't even know how to bring this up to the PCM's there since

it seems like a

> > lifetime to get an appo!intment for anything other than an emergency.

>

>

>

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

>

>

[Guest guest]

Up to my tail in alligators tonight. Will probably try to call you on Thurs

or talk with you on Sat. Thanks for all the info

[Guest guest]

<< I printed mine out, plus downloaded it and emailed it-to save Debbie some

typing-and made it

look " pretty " for insurance, etc. I also made a copy for my PCP and my own

files so I would

have a good medical info history if I needed it. >>

Hi Stevie...

I have tried to save my patient information form (I have started it and

figgured I'd keep it saved in order to add to it whenever I get more

information), but I couldn't - both times I've tried to save or print it - it

wouldn't work!! The whole thing blanked out and I had to start from

scratch!! Is there some special way to do either of these? I want to really

take my time and fill it out (COMPLETELY), but I wont see my new PCP (you

have to put your PCP info and physical test results in it...) until

December...???

Thanks in advance,

Sherry

[Guest guest]

Sherry: If I remember correctly, I did it by highlighting the whole page

and then cleaning it up and adding my info afterwards. If you can't figure

it out, I'll look for my copy and send you mine minus my info for you to

use..I think I have it in MS Word 98.

Take care! Stevie

> From: Enrbny@...

>

> << I printed mine out, plus downloaded it and emailed it-to save Debbie some

> typing-and made it

> look " pretty " for insurance, etc. I also made a copy for my PCP and my own

> files so I would

> have a good medical info history if I needed it. >>

>

> Hi Stevie...

>

> I have tried to save my patient information form (I have started it and

> figgured I'd keep it saved in order to add to it whenever I get more

> information), but I couldn't - both times I've tried to save or print it - it

> wouldn't work!! The whole thing blanked out and I had to start from

> scratch!! Is there some special way to do either of these? I want to really

> take my time and fill it out (COMPLETELY), but I wont see my new PCP (you

> have to put your PCP info and physical test results in it...) until

> December...???

>

> Thanks in advance,

> Sherry

>

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Stevie,

How are you doing? How are the liquids going, etc.

Hope all is going great!

Ann

12/6

[Guest guest]

Hey Ann:

Things are going well...I have incorporated a few soft foods like

applesauce, a scrambled egg and tonight I tried mashed potatoes-with no

problems! My new tummy tells me when I have had too much-feels like a

heart attack! Yuck!

I find that soups and other liquids and yogurt stuff just goes down so

much easier I think I'll stay with them the longest I can...

What I miss right no is being able to drink a lot...No gulping allowed and

that's how I put down a ton of liquid!

Take care! Stevie

>

>

> Hi Stevie,

> How are you doing? How are the liquids going, etc.

> Hope all is going great!

> Ann

> 12/6

>

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

>

>