Pink Unicorn
Well-Known Member
First, thank you for reading this and for listening to me rant. I began my current journey with weight loss surgery on April 24 of this year. I saw the doctor, the dietitian, and the exercise physiologist that Thursday, and I received a binder with loads of information and the critical "Clearances" list. I needed to get all of my clearances done before the office would schedule my surgery. That day, I asked what the timeline looks like for someone new. The doctor told me that it typically takes 3 or more months, but some people get it done earlier. So if the stars aligned properly, I could get the surgery in 2 months.
I took the clearances seriously. The very next day, I attended the mandatory nutrition class. I spent the next four weeks getting everything done, and finished on May 25th. Then I spoke with the program coordinator, who told me that I am in their "program" and I must spend three months in the program before I can get surgery.
When I asked why, I got a convoluted explanation that essentially boiled down to "because we said so". There is no medical reason for me to need three months. I already am following the nutritional advice and exercise advice, which has already made my life better. But because I didn't need extra tests or studies, it didn't take as long for me.
As a side note, I already had a sleep study a few years ago, and they will have to pry my CPAP from my cold dead hands before I give it up. I like sleep, and I love my CPAP. I also had a heart stress test in 2009, and the cardiologist didn't see the need to repeat it since my EKG looked good.
Anyway, I finally heard from the surgery scheduler yesterday, and the first opening for surgery is August 1st. Not too surprising, because I have seen a myriad of people walking around with the white binder. But they might be able to fit me in on July 25th if someone cancels or can't get insurance approval. But they can't get me in earlier.
July 25th is three months exactly from the day I walked into the office. And I don't really believe in coincidences.
So now I'm sitting here, happy to be scheduled, and pissed off because I don't really believe that the doctor doesn't have an opening until August. I'm not going to complain because I don't think anyone there will listen. But dammit! I am ready to get the party started!!! And waiting around an extra month or so because of some stupid, poorly implemented policy drives me crazy. I don't care if three months is the statistically best program time. Statistics are for the masses, not the individual!
AARGHHH
Okay, thank you again for listening to my rant. I will do an official "my surgery date is" post after I get another cup of tea.
I took the clearances seriously. The very next day, I attended the mandatory nutrition class. I spent the next four weeks getting everything done, and finished on May 25th. Then I spoke with the program coordinator, who told me that I am in their "program" and I must spend three months in the program before I can get surgery.
When I asked why, I got a convoluted explanation that essentially boiled down to "because we said so". There is no medical reason for me to need three months. I already am following the nutritional advice and exercise advice, which has already made my life better. But because I didn't need extra tests or studies, it didn't take as long for me.
As a side note, I already had a sleep study a few years ago, and they will have to pry my CPAP from my cold dead hands before I give it up. I like sleep, and I love my CPAP. I also had a heart stress test in 2009, and the cardiologist didn't see the need to repeat it since my EKG looked good.
Anyway, I finally heard from the surgery scheduler yesterday, and the first opening for surgery is August 1st. Not too surprising, because I have seen a myriad of people walking around with the white binder. But they might be able to fit me in on July 25th if someone cancels or can't get insurance approval. But they can't get me in earlier.
July 25th is three months exactly from the day I walked into the office. And I don't really believe in coincidences.
So now I'm sitting here, happy to be scheduled, and pissed off because I don't really believe that the doctor doesn't have an opening until August. I'm not going to complain because I don't think anyone there will listen. But dammit! I am ready to get the party started!!! And waiting around an extra month or so because of some stupid, poorly implemented policy drives me crazy. I don't care if three months is the statistically best program time. Statistics are for the masses, not the individual!
AARGHHH
Okay, thank you again for listening to my rant. I will do an official "my surgery date is" post after I get another cup of tea.