Hi Fellow Minnesotans,

I've only posted a couple times before, but there has been some serious activity in the last month on my way to Lap Band surgery. After the informational session at Park Nicollet in early October, I was told it was about a 3 month process to get to a surgery date. I negotiated with my boss to clear the first three weeks of January to accommodate the surgery. Beginning January 23, I will be teaching non-stop until the end of March (I'm a technical trainer for a St. Paul software company).

I wasn't able to have my first meeting with a bariatric nurse until mid-November. Then I wasn't scheduled to do the half-day of assessments with the physical therapist/psychologist/dietician/M.D. until mid-December. Thank goodness I was able to take a cancelled appointment on November 30 and bless everyone's heart there, they finished reviewing my information in record time in order for the pre-authorization request to go to my insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield) by December 9. Then after a couple phone calls to BCBS, I managed to get them to pre-authorize the surgery just a week later! They notified Park Nicollet today. So far, so good.

The only thing left is to meet with the surgeon and schedule the date. This is where the frustration comes in. I can't meet with a surgeon until January 5 - the absolutely first available appointment according to the surgery scheduler. Aarrgghh! I don't think there's going to be any way to have the surgery done in time! After all that work and after so many people went above and beyond to rush through information and decision-making, it doesn't seem to be making any difference in the end. I am so bummed and feeling defeated. I don't think my schedule after March is going to be any better, so January is really the only time I would be able to have the surgery.

I just had to get this off my chest - thanks for letting me vent. Would you consider saying a little prayer on my behalf for a miracle to happen?

Thanks.

... more like scared to death! I guess a little whining pays off. I have a surgical consult with Dr. Weatherille tomorrow and possibly the surgery next week! I don't dare complain, but it is all of sudden coming up so soon, I don't feel prepared.

Has anyone else had Dr. Weatherille at Park Nicollet/Methodist for their surgeon?

Thanks.

Kathy Duck...next week?!!!! Wowza! Please keep us posted on the date and definately when you are done and home and banded! Congrats! Way to whine...it worked!!! Don't panic now, you'll be fine!

Grab it and run....I'm delighted that it worked out so quickly for you! I think this might be something that we want desperately and fear at the same time so we're never really ready for the actual event. But you'll be fine. Please keep us posted. And congrats on the whining...sometimes it's the only thing that works :)

Emily

Hi KathyDuck-
I'm all set for surgery Jan.12 - (I'm going to Mex.-no insurance) - but I've been crying for a week now. I'm also scared. Scared of everything! Have I made ther right choice, will it work on me, am I wasting money that so very much was planned for retirement, is it dangerous, am I jeaopardizing my body (albiet fat - it's fairly healthy)??????
Please let us know how you are doing.
I'm from River Falls - originally from MN!
Patti