Meeting The Surgeon

    Once I had my health care provider established, my very first step was to attend a monthly presentation held by the area’s bariatric surgeon.  He requires new patients to do this first for a couple different reasons. One, many people don’t know exactly what they are getting into when they pursue the surgery. This allows him to explain exactly what he does and what to expect from him as well as what he expects from you.  And two, once you make the decision to go through with the process, he explains every step you’re required to take in order for insurance to cover the surgery.  Just the fact that he does this already makes me feel comfortable that he’s the one going to operate. I had this meeting last wednesday. Here’s how things went….

    It’s a beautiful day in central Pennsylvania. The sun is shining. It’s windy, but the temperature is perfect. Not too hot. Not too cold.  My mind is working overtime. The reality of something I have been dreaming of getting has finally hit me. Today is the first step to a process that could change my life in amazing ways.  I’m filled with excitement.  But I’m also extremely nervous.  The daydreams of the women, walking, bike riding, trip taking, and normal living are all comforting. But the truth is I have a bizarre love/hate relationship with food.  Once I go under the knife, that is it buddy. No more late night pizzas, bags of candy, cans of peanuts, bags of potato chips, pecan pie, etc etc.  My enjoyment of food will never be the same. It’s quite a bit to process, but that’s why baby steps are taken to get where I’m needed to be.
    Dad senses the battle taking place in my brain, and is quiet for the whole ten minute ride to the hospital.  Normally he is oblivious to things like that.  I thank God today is a rare exception.  I’m slightly disappointed I didn’t get to see one of the local crazies though.  With the finest this town has to offer, most of the time you at least see one person talking to themselves or something else out of the ordinary when you drive through that part of town.  Oh well. Mick Jagger taught me that you can’t always get what you want.
    Here we are at the hospital! I’m fairly early, so I decide to chill in the lobby for a few minutes. The truth is I specifically went early to do just this.  The hospital brings up many memories every time I’m here.  My ex-fiancee’s battle with leukemia.  Clinicals for nursing school.  Most recently, my father’s triple bypass heart surgery.  With my mind already racing like a coke addict, I just wanted a good ten minutes or so to let everything process, and get my mind focused on the task at hand.  About fifteen minutes roll by, and I decide it’s time to head up to the meeting room.
    From the walk to the elevator, waiting for the elevator, and walk to the meeting room, I am out of breath. God I hate this! I take a few moments outside the door to catch my breath.  I also built up a pretty good sweat, so I use my shirt to wipe it off my forehead.  I quickly run my fingers through my mop-top. It’s go time folks! There are some real nice people here. Most of the others are older women. There is one other guy who is roughly ten years older than I am.  I am the youngest AND fattest person attending this meeting. Awesome.  I look at the old style TV and DVD player that are standing in the front of the room.  I think to myself how incredibly funny it would be if the doctor used this to show 2 girls 1 cup to the audience instead of his presentation. I laugh out loud. I got a strange look from the woman next to me, and she asked me what was funny. I said, “Ah nothing. Just a little nervous I guess.” She smiles, and that’s when the doctor walks into the room.
    I have to do a triple take.  I heard that he is a younger surgeon, but I was still shocked to see it in person.  At first I think he’s an intern here to assist the doctor, but the name on his overcoat says otherwise. This man is also incredibly good looking. I could hear the lady next to me gasp. I thought about asking her if something was wrong, but I let it go.  The thing that stood out the most was how much he looked like Doogie Howser.  It’s like the kid’s face stayed the same, but he grew up to be taller.  He says hello to everyone, turns his laptop on, and immediately gets down to business.
—————————————————————

“Nurse, I’m about to finish sewing this patient up.  Would you please make sure the latest issue of MAD magazine is on my desk in 15 minutes? I’m having a sleepover tonight with my BFF, and I could use a few jokes that will kill.”
—————————————————————-
     I already knew most everything that he explained simply from the amount of research I’ve done prior to the meeting.   What I need to make sure of though is if I feel this man is the right choice for my surgery.  He wraps up the presentation in about 55 minutes, and allows us to ask him questions. I have an intense feeling of relief.  This man is everything I’ve been hearing. He’s a very successful bariatric surgeon that came to the area in 2004.  Has done almost 700 bypass/lap band surgeries. I couldn’t be any more happy right now.
So the first step is complete. There are a few more steps to take before I get a date set for surgery. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Schedule an appointment with a dietitian, schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist, I need five more months of documentation from my family doctor of an attempt at weight loss.  Once these are all set, then I call for an initial assessment with the surgeon, and get that date set!