"Seminar- March 1, 2007. I met Dr. Sonnanstine there for the first time. He was very informative about the surgery. He answered everyones questions, leaving out nothing about the good or bad. We were given the risks associated with the surgery, the benefits, the medical conditions that it could help, the medications we could probaby go off after surgery. I left the seminar with a better understanding overall about what I was in for over the next months. Dr. Sonnanstine stayed after to answer more questions one on one with many attendees.rnrnMarch 2, 2007. I had my one on one consultation with Dr. Sonnanstine. Again, he answered all my questions and told me I was a qualified canidate for Lapband surgery. My insurance was not going to cover it, but I was going to find a way to finance it. rnrnMarch 12, 2007. I attended my Dietician class and learned more about my after surgery eating lifestyle. She was very informative answering all our questions and explaining how things in our life would be changing. I received my 'black book' which became my 'Lapband bible' in which I still reference today when I have questions about things. I paid my first half of the $600 program fee today.rnrnApril 24, 2007. I met with the physiciologist today for my one on one. We talked briefly about what was expected of me after the surgery, what my feelings were about the surgery, and how my family felt about the decision I made to have the surgery. She was very nice and informative, and thought I'd be a great canidate for the surgery. rnBecause I am self pay, we were able to set my surgery date today. I have to wait until after inventory at work, so I chose Wednesday June 27 for my surgery. I set up the dates for my 4 pre surgery classes to attend, and was on my way.rnrnMay 21, 2007. Class 1- My husband and I made our way to my first class. I was so appreciative of his support and his joining me in going to the class. It was the video class. Dr. Sonnanstine was there, and he showed us videos of him actually preforming the bypass and band surgeries on patients. This wasn't my first video, but it was still an informative tool for both my husband and I. Dr. Sonnanstine answered everyones questions again, and was very nice to chat with people after the session was over, including myself.rnrnJune 4, 2007. Class 2. Tonight was the taste testing class where we were able to taste different protein powders that we will be able to use post surgery. This was the best thing, because it let us taste these powders before having to spend a lot of money on it, and not like it. Also, it gave us time to order any of the powders that we liked online so we would have them before surgery.rnrnJune 11, 2007. Class 3. Tonight we talked about the healthy steps to take to maximize your weight loss surgery. It involved bcoming informed about the surgery, understanding your motivation to go through with it, and we talked about realistic expectations of the surgery. We discussed steps to take to get out life in balance and how to improve on our stress management skills, and emotional eating.rnWe had homework tonight, to go home and draw our own life balance wheel. We needed to find ways beforehand to et out and excercise, to ind time to prepare our meals, etc. It is a great tool to get you prepared for life after surgery, and get you on the right track before you even get to the date.rnrnJune 18, 2007. Class 4. Last, but not least, we discussed our homework, and how we were going to fit everything into our new lives. We talked about life stressors, and emotional eating triggers, internal and external, and what we could do to overcome them.rnWe discussed coping with feelings, and who we could turn to or what we could do to cope instead of eat. This was the final class I had to attend.rnrnJune 19, 2007. One on one history and physical with Dr. Sonnanstine. Even though my surgery was pushed back to July 2 due the doctore going out of town, I was still getting close. All my last minute questions were answered. Dr. Sonnanstine seemed as excited about my surgery as I did. You can really tell that he does care for his patients. We're not just a number to him, but he cares about us, and how we're going to do. He's opened up his office to us, his staff, and himself, and is there for us whenever we have questions, concerns, or just need to talk. I don't think I could of chose a better doctor to do this, and I am confident my surgery will go well, just as my post surgery life will. After all, I have a great support team behind me.rnrnJune 29, 2007. Pre admission testing at the hospital today. The asked a lot of questions so that everythig will go smoothly on Monday. They covered every aspect of my life so they would know what they were dealing wih. They took lots of blood to run all kinds of tests, and then I was done. I was to be a the hospital at 7:30 am for surgery on Monday, July 2.rnrnMonday, July 2. I arrived at the hospital with my husband and mom at 7:30 am. I was given a room, and a bag to undress and put all my clothes in. I put on my gown, and an IV was started. I was able to watch TV until they came and got me. I was taking to a pre op holding cell where the anethesialogist came to talk to me. He asked me some questions, and then the doctor came in to see if I had any last minute questions, and assured my mom and husband that I would be fine. I entered the OR at 10:15, and I was out in no time.rnI woke up, very groggy, and got sick. Always happens from the gas, so no surprise there.rnI was given a room, and rested for a while. By 3:00 I was up eating ice chips and going to the bathroom. At 4:10pm, Dr. Sonnanstine came in to see how I was doing. He told me I was doing great, and if I wanted to go home, I could. I was released from the hospital at 5:00pm.rnrnThis has been the very best experience of my life, and I owe it all to Dr. Sonnanstine, his patient and supportive staff, and St. Luke Hospital West. I could have not asked for anything more. I was very informed about all the things I needed to be, and I had all my questions answered.rn"
