WOOHOO - got date for 1st Appointment at Hospital

[poppyowner]

WOOHOO

In post today I got a letter from Chichester Hospital offering me a day long appointment on Friday February 4th 2011. Now I have a date to work towards - earlier than I'd expected but hey-ho!

From 27th December I am going to be doing Calorie Counting as quicker results with that than previous Slimming World plan so to lose as much as poss before that appointment. That'll give me about 4.5 weeks to lose what I can.

Have already been buying in low cal stuff and planning my menus in readiness for Monday 27th so no reason to fail.

Now have to find out how long they estimate for us to get to Chichester from home - going on RAC routefinder in a mo then will add half hour on top. Have 'booked' my parents to sleepover at ours the night before so we can set off when needed and kids will have them to cover Breakfast / school runs. Have asked hubby to book off that day as well so he can chauffeur LOL

Any tips / advice for what to say / do when there? I am sooooooo nervous I'll flunk the meetings and get refused surgery ..... if I can 'pass' the meeting then so long as follow diet plan etc and pre-op diet I am guaranteed surgery.

Any key words to include when talking, any hints / tips to up my chances...?

Did anyone else take reading material as suggested in letter ? Would they allow a Nintendo Ds to be played as then hubby and I can play together to make time go quicker?

What EXACTLY happens at this first appointment - from walking through the door of reception to leaving to go home?

Soooo happy things are moving - just nervous incase I say the wrong thing and lose the surgery.... the questionnaire felt like a job application form - this appointment feels like the interview!!!!!!

Finally - did your partners go into the meetings with you or do they wait outside? I'd like the support of a friendly face BUT don't want him hearing weights etc....

Look forward to your replies

Oh absolute finally - have any of you ever been refused surgery after that meeting and if so why OR have you heard of people who have been refused and if so on what grounds?

Thanks

Jill

 

[cherry]

I can't answer your questions as I'm from a diff area but I can feel your excitement haha congrats n good luck xx

 

[Bev]

The very best of luck to you, I don't know of anyone from your area, but someone will know I would think.

Just wanted to wish you all the very best on your wls journey...

Love and hugs xxx

 

[dottychic]

Im from a different area too but just wanted to say wooohoooooooo well done on getting your appointment XX

 

[happyhilary]

well done ! i am going to St.Richards for my all day meeting on 21st Jan so we will be going in around the same time all being well. I will keep an eye on this post as i was thinking the same questions ! I think i might to to this 1st meeting on my own as i want to make up my own mind before i tell my family as i know they wont be happy. My daughter knows that i have asked for the referal and she is worried. Hubby is still in the dark, i have tried to tell him but the words wont come out ! I know that they will pull out all the stops and support me once its done, but they sure as hell wont make it easy til then ! I will let you know how i got on ! Hilary

 

[Jaysee]

OK ladies...I went for my all day appointment today and honestly it is NOTHING to worry about!
I got there at 9.30 and was weighed by the receptionist Christine. Then I saw a dietician, a specialised nurse, an anaesthetist and a doctor (the pychiatrists couldn't be there today because of the snow). Basically you just chat with them and they like to know you understand what the surgery is about, how you feel and whether you have any questions about it. The anaesthetist wants to make sure of any things that may affect you being put under general so he knows what you need. Its all very relaxed and they are all very nice. No-one commented on the fact Id put on weight since funding, in fact the only time it was mentioned was when they said to try not to put too much on before the op itself.
In the afternoon you see a consultant, who may or may not be the one who does your op, and he will confirm whether or not they will go ahead (and of course its usually a yes). Then you see the dietician once more so she can explain the op and the pre-op milk diet in more detail.
Stop worrying!

 

[Jane]

that's reassurring Jaysee. I have my appt on 13th January, they said to allow 3 hrs or so, although I am seeing the nurse, dietician, anaesthetist and surgeon (no pychiatrist though), and then they will book in the surgery (all being well of course). I know each pts is different, and I am with Hampshire, but knowing how you got on has helped me feel better about it all!

That's one of the great things about this forum, whatever I am worried about, someone knows the answers!

Jill, I am taking hubby with me, but not actually into any of the appointments themselves. He's taking a book he wants to read so will be quite happy. I will probably slip a magazine or something to read into my bag, as I have been warned there could be quite a wait between appts as it is a busy clinic.

I asked the secretary whether surgery would go ahead after this, and she replied that unless there were reasons why I was unfit for surgery, yes I would receive a date. So it sounds as though refusals at that stage are quite rare.

Sounds as though there are quite a few of us with first appointments around the same time, so hopefully we can encourage each other.

 

[tinkerboom]

good luck everyone keep us posted x

 

[poppyowner]

THANKS JAYSEE - so pleased you got on so well.
HILARY - good luck for 21st Jan - will send you Good Luck vibes all that day like I did for Jaysee today Re. your family I am similar - my husband and kids know and are ok about it all, my parents know and are ok but I haven't told my brother yet as he can be very opinionated and I don't need negativity. He will be told when he has to be - NOT before this meeting incase it all falls through....maybe just before op when have the actual date.... we'll see!
JINT - Good Luck for the 13th January - again will send you Good Luck Vibes all through that day. I think I will try to get Hubby to stay outside appointment with his DS (LOL) as would never forgive him if he in any way risked my chances....I know I sound neurotic but have waited so long for GP to agree etc then to start progress I want it to follow through now!
He can come into the decider meeting when they say yay or nay and dietician follow up talk if a yes.

Please Hilary and Jint do post how your days went like Jaysee did - I find this very comforting like others no doubt do
Thanks Tinkerboom
Jill x

 

[happyhilary]

Well done Jaysee ! at least i know what i'm lettng myself in for ! did they say what the waiting time is ? and what op would be best for you ? Love this site !! x

 

[Jaysee]

Well done Jaysee ! at least i know what i'm lettng myself in for ! did they say what the waiting time is ? and what op would be best for you ? Love this site !! x

They said Id get a phone call towards the end of January with a date, an appt for pre op, and an instruction to start the milk diet 14 days prior to surgery. Its looking like being mid February that I actually have the bypass :happy036:

 

[Jules73]

Good luck everyone x Thankyou for the useful info x x

 

[Big an Bouncy]

Excellent thread,Im getting closer to my appointment and find all the info very helpful.Imagine how lonely and apprehensive you would feel without this site to help us along!Maz x

 

[lotsabeefy]

Great News well done xx