seminar

The Seminar:
with Dr Vohra and staff at South Nassau Communities Hospital

Well here I am at the seminar and I never expected to see this many people.
Which is good, but it's all for the same doctor. I was hoping that there would
be several doctors who required this seminar. Boy I am I on that phone at
8am tomorrow to make my appointment (side note: My appointment is for
March 3rd and 5th) What perplexes me is that I had to wait for this seminar
to make an appointment at all, considering I know everything he has spoken about here in the seminar.

One thing I did learn is that my doctor only performs the RNY, he does not do the lapband nor the duodenal switch (which is what I really wanted). Out of 300+ patients he has lost only one. A 63 yr old man, who had significant heart ailments. The autopsy states that the man dies of a heart arthymia. We even saw a few of his patients who have had great successes and one man who stopped by to say goodbye who just got discharged that same night. He did hand out a questionaire which had to be filled out in detailed stating our health and diet history and some family background. That has to be sent in prior to our appointment. If we do send it in in enough time we will get back a list of prelims he requires before preop so we can get a head start.

The best thing is that from the time of our first appointment till surgery takes up to 3 months. I love that idea considering I could get in right away if I'm ahead on prelims. He also requires a letter from my doctor describing my diet and exercises, to show what I have tried in the past. Not too bad at all. The basic overall prelims will consist of: a psychological evaluation (DONE), cardio work up (stress and echo DONE), pulmonary evaluation (lung test, sleep anea), upper endoscopy (DONE), abdominal ultrasound, dietician eval (DONE), and lab tests.

Well this is how the appointments are set up, you go for two appointments within 2 days of each other. The first appointment is with the nurse and dietician. They take the vitals, paperwork, and discuss before and aftercare. The next appointment I meet with the surgeon himself. we'll spend time going over my history and see if I am a candidate for surgery and discuss my prelims. At that point he will advise me how much weight I need to lose before surgery. Talk about a bummer, I know it's only 10%, but I have enough problems trying to lose 5lbs. If I could lose weight on my own don't you think I would have done it?!!

Anyway I get set up with these protein drinks called Optifast. Its what will help me in the next 3-4 weeks prior to the surgical date. That sucks, but hey if it gets me in soon enough before my July date I wil be estatic.

Well the dieticain informed of what we could and could not eat:
In the hospital: 1st day would be IV's and ice chips, graduating to water amd broth and diet jello.
1st week: water, broth , diet jello consiting of 1-2 meals a day
2-3rd week: the same as above with adding boiled or poached eggs and maybe 1/2 a slice of toast
1st month: is all about the 3 Ps (protein, protein, protein), lowfat yogurt, refreid beans, fish, poultry, eggs, low fat dressings, lots of water.....also adding in 2 multivitamins, calcium(tums) and an iron supplement
2-3rd month: Protein first then adding into the diet soft cooked vegetables, non citrus fruits and lots of water
5 months on: I should be eating 5-7 oz of protein, vegetables then starch if there is room, please note the order in which I have written that out, your meals will be eaten in that order, and no drinking while eating either only after dinner.

There will a lot of things you may or may not be able to eat anymore like soda, and milk products, or red meat. No fried foods either, a big no no. Lets face it people the surgery is not a quick fix, it's just a step (a big one at that) to get to the weight you want to be.

One thing I was shocked at is how many people asked about cheating, and ways around eating healthy to keep up their habits. I mean come on people didn't you research this, don't you realize that by eating as you normally would after surgery, ruins everything. If you have an eating disorder, I would highly suggest seeking help first before going through with surgery. I know I'm rushing things, but let's face it, I'm not a binge eater, when I dieted I was strict, I used to love to exercise, before it got too difficulty for me. Also I have been getting myself in the right frame of mind. I may cheat here and there a little but I don't splurge. I've already implemented the eating habits you are supposed to follow; Protein, veggies, and then starch. I also have made it a habit of not drinking while I am eating. It takes getting used to but heck, by the time I have surgery it will be no problem to conform to the new ways, because I will have already been doing it all this time.

" NO MORE EXCUSES" you are going to have major surgery people. although success rates are high you can still fail at this, and believe me you don't want to go through all this to get no where fast. This is life changing, life altering forever!!! I don't mean to preach but with the questions people were asking I didn't realize so many people thought that way.

I hope this helps gives you all a glimpse into my seminar and into what you can expect at yours. I know I said it was a waste of time, but it really isn't. I learned more about my doctor and what to expect from insurance and his office. So hey I'm one up on what I need to know. If anyone has any questions, please email me, and I will try to give you more detailed information as possible.