Setbacks

So I have been meaning to post for awhile now about the negatives or cons, but I have had somethings happen to delay me. This post will not be about my negative or fears I am postponing that one. In this post I will explain a little about what has been going on in this process! It's been a dozy of a week to say the least. First and foremost my surgery date is on March 13th. I scheduled it in February. I was supposed to have my pre-op appointment March 1rst. I knew I had to do labs and visit with a psychologist and nutritionist prior to my surgery date, and I assumed that the labs were to be done during the pre-op visit. I was never told or informed otherwise. I had even asked previously while dropping off some paperwork if I could have a list of things expected of me. I never received one. So imagine my surprise when I get a call on the morning of the 1rst asking me why I haven't done my labs! I explained that I had been having a problem with the office being very unclear on what I needed to do, and asked them to please fax me the list of labs. After I got the fax the doctors office called again to tell me that there was a problem with my medically supervised diet paperwork. The requirements for bariatric surgery to be covered under my insurance state that I have to have followed a medically supervised diet for at least 2 months. There are other requirements as well this is just the only one that the doctors office was having a problem with. Anyways she said that the records I had provided her would not be valid because they were from 2008. I had been concerned about this very matter so I had been sure to ask my insurance company if there was a time frame that would render the records invalid, I was told that there was not. I explained this to the lady and she stated that she had spoken with a nurse that worked for my insurance, and they had stated that the records had to be within 2 years. This prompted a lot of panic on my part thinking that my surgery is not going to happen. After I got off of work I headed to the hospital to get as many of my labs done as possible, or at least try to have them ordered since for the past month it has been nearly impossible to get an appointment with my primary care doctor.

Here is a list of labs I need done: blood work, urine sample, stool sample (ick), chest x-ray, ekg, and an ultrasound of my gall bladder. In order to keep my surgery date of March 13th I have to have all these things done by March 8th. I found out about all these requirements March 1rst. That is a pretty tall order to get completed in a week. I got off of work at 2pm March 1rst headed strait to my hospital to get some of these things figured out. I first went to the lab and since my blood work was to supposed to be done while fasting I  was told to come back Monday morning, they did however give me a parting gift. It was a tiny collection tube for my stool sample (again eww why would they need a stool sample??). I guess the absolute confusion
as to how I am supposed to actually get the poo into said tiny tube was clearly written on my face, as the lab tech asked if I would like an insert to put in my toilet to "collect" the sample. I stated that I would appreciate that. They then went on the explain that there was a spoon attached to the lid to make inserting the sample into the tube easier, and to put the sample in my fridge for up to 3 days after collection. Did I mention yet how completely disgusting this whole thing is to me?? After receiving my goodies from the lab, I then headed to the diagnostic imaging department to attempt getting my x-rays done. I was able to get my chest x-ray and ekg done that day! I was told they had no appointments for the ultrasound until March 17th, but I explained my tale of woe and they talk to someone who said they would fit me in March 6th. I then went to the tri-care offices located in my hospital to try and get an answer to the all important time limit question. They told me to call the district office itself, I did that and still could not get a direct answer after explaining the situation. I finally did manage to get an answer after calling tri-care repeatedly, and talking to different people. There is no time limit and the gentleman that finally answered the question for me even told me the order I could refer my doctor too if there was anymore confusion  Okay labs done, x-rays done, tri-care figured out, now what about the appointments for the psychologist and nutritionist? I was told by the doctor's office that they would be contacting me to set up appointments. I did not hear from anyone on Monday so I called the doctors office just to make sure I was not supposed to be calling them on my own. I was told again that I would be contacted. I waited until I got off work Tuesday and still had not heard a peep from either psychologist or nutritionist. So I called the doctors office again, because remember this all has to be done by Friday in order to have my surgery March 13th. I was again reassured that the appropriate offices would contact me. I finally got a call from the psychologist early Wednesday morning. She expressed disbelief that I had scheduled my surgery weeks ago, and had just now been referred to her offices. I commiserated with her told her of some of the other issues I had been having with the doctors office, and we managed to get an appointment set for Thursday. I also got a call from the nutritionist, and also secured another Thursday appointment. Talk about cutting it close!!

Recap: after much running around and stress my surgery is still set for March 13th. My husband and I are currently very frustrated with the office staff at the surgeons office. My husband almost wanted me to find a new surgeon, I told him that I trust the surgeon. I am very glad however that his staff is not preforming the surgery!! I am thinking positive thoughts that the rest of this process goes off without a hitch. That my insurance will approve the procedure, and that I will have my surgery on time. I had to do a stool sample I will be extremely angry if I don't get to have my surgery!! Sorry this post was so long and a little gross, I am just trying to accurately explain everything that goes into this procedure.