janp1

January 14, 2001- Happy New Year! Well, I would've updated sooner, but as I mentioned, Geocities was messing up, so I couldn't! But I am back now! Lots of news to tell you! The best way to know when I update my website is to sign up for my notification e-group. I promise I will only send you e-mail when I update! Just click on the link at the bottom of the page! Ok, in November I went to an info session at Cape Coral Hospital for Dr. Marema. It was informative, hence the name "info session"....ok, so I shouldn't quit my day job. I met Dr. Marema and recieved a binder of information about the surgery, including pre and post op procedures. The session lasted about 1 1/2 hours, and during that time Dr. Marema explained the surgery and took questions. It really helped me understand all the information I had read on the internet. Also, my insurance info was taken at that time, just to see if my insurance would normally consider covering it, which it does. I stayed for the support group that met afterwards, and some of the stories I heard and saw were great. If you can go to a support group, even if it's not for your own doctor, please do so! It means so much more when you see it in person!

After that I wanted the surgery right away, but the most I could do is wait and schedule an educational seminar, which is a 3 hour long session that goes into greater detail about the surgery. Now, I have to say I am dissapointed so far in Dr. Marema's office. They just do not call you. I have had to call every single time. The only time someone called me was the very first call, way in the beginning. But, he is a good doctor and busy so...I have an educational seminar scheduled for the end of January. I will let you know how it goes!

Oh, and I have scheduled an appointment with another doctor. I think it is wise to explore a few doctors and see who you think is best for you. I will be seeing him this week, and I can't wait! He is the head of his department in laproscopic surgery, and supposed to be very nice (my friend went to him earlier this month). Make sure you choose a doctor that you can work with, and that is willing to work and listen to you! I am taking this time to explore my options!

I have just finished a 14 page letter to my insurance company. I know my insurance company covers the surgery, but from what I have been told, it can't hurt any! It makes the insurance people look at you as a person, not just a number! I included in the letter a diet history and important information about gastric bypass surgery. If you want a copy of the letter that I based mine from, e-mail me and I will send it to you! I might post it on the site later on, but I like getting mail! :-) That's all for now, and I will write more later this week!

January 18, 2001- I met with the other doctor today! His name is Dr. Rosenthal from the Cleveland Clinic in Ft. Lauderdale. I really like him, and I think he is to be my doctor! I am now scheduled for all my pre-op testing for the beginning of February, and he saud I could have the surgery a month and a half from now, at the latest! Can you believe that? He is very qualified, the head of the Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery for the Cleveland Clinic. Plus, a very nice and caring individual! I really liked his demeanor when I talked to him, very down to earth and likeable. No "god complex" here...LOL! I thought the entire appointment was handled very efficiently today...I drove about 2 hours to get there, arrived early, and filled out a bit of paperwork. They were running a bit late, but that's not unusual. I was called, I talked to the nurse for a bit, weighed, my history taken, then I was left to finish up writing up my obesity history while waiting for the doctor. He came in a few minutes later. We talked about the different types of surgery and which would be best for me, which was the gastric bypass! I really liked the fact he mentioned the other types and explained why the others would not be good for me individually. We then talked about the types of tests I needed to have done and who else I needed to meet, a nutritionist, a psychiatrist (to make sure you know what that you are having surgery and this is life-altering experience, they are not saying you are crazy...LOL). We also went over the surgery itself and the weight loss to expect....all in all I spent about an hour with him. After him, I met with the nurse again, and we went over a few more things, and then I was off to schedule my pre-op testing! As soon as that was taken care of, I went to get a hypoplori (spelling??) blood test...which I think test to see if I am susceptible to blood clots, which are a realistic danger during surgery. Then I was all done for the day! So that takes care of everything until the pre-op testing in February! The only things I am going to do is to go to a psychologist, and start drinking protein shakes. The doctor did not say to, but from what medical research has shown, it helps debulk the liver before surgery, which is helpful for a laproscopic surgery (which is what I am having). Now we play the insurance waiting game! I hope it goes through ok! For those of you who pray, please pray for me! For those of you who don't, please keep me in your thoughts! If you want to drop me a line; e-mail me, or sign my book! "Talk" to you soon!