Question for Dr. Aranow patients

Hiya folks....I am at the very beginning of my journey....my name is Laura....I have an appt. w/ hubby on March 12 to our very first 'orientation' meeting at middlesex.....the meeting that you have to make an appointment for...with the Dr....yes, I do realize that several things factor in...and everybody is different....BUT...can you tell me how long it took you from the initial "howdy doc, my name is __________" to the point where you were on the O R table with the person standing over you telling you "ok, now count backwards from 100 "?....I do realize that insurance also makes a difference in timing ...but I would just like a ballpark figure......(actually an hourglass figure would be nice.....I am REALLY starting out with a ballpark figure!!) Thanks in advance...I am so glad I found this website!!

Hi Laura, I went to the orientation meeting at the end of Sept. 2004 and had my surgery on Jan. 10, 2005. You have to see the psychiatrist and the nutritionist and attend 3 meetings. Depending on your history the Dr. might want you to have a upper and/ or a lower G I series to rule out gall stones. All testing must be done before they will submit to your insurance. Be patient and keep up with your appointments and everything should go pretty smooth for you. Good luck on your journey. Cindy PS: You've made a very wise choice in choosing Dr. A he is wonderful.

Thanks Cindy!! Well, I can rule out gall stones for sure...had my gall bladder removed two years ago.......laura

Hey Laura! I went to the June 20th orientation at Middlesex. I had my 1 on 1 with him on August 18th and had my surgery on 10/27/06. So about 4 months start to finish. During that time, I had to have an upper enndoscopy, psych eval, go to 3 support group meetings and see the nutritionist while trying to lose 10 lbs in order to make his job easier and the surgery safer for me. I wont lie...those 4 months were the l-o-n-g-e-s-t of my life. But once the insurance approval went through the time just flew by. Since the surgery...a little over 3 months now the time has continued to fly. Every day brings new surprises and triumphs. Best of luck to you my dear!!! Please keep us posted!

Hi, And welcome! I had my initial meeting with Dr A on June 26th, and had my surgery on Sept 28th, 2005...It wasn't that long, actually. I just had to have my two psych meetings, and two visits with the dietitian and have my other tests done. I was driving up from RI, and it was summer, so I didn't always have a sitter to get up there and do it all in one day, like some do. My husband had the surgery and I think he broke all the records. He went to the seminar, met with Dr Aranow and did all of his support groups, psych and dietitian and testing and had surgery 4 weeks later!!!! We do have good insurance that didn't hold us up at all. Hope things go smoothly with you. We like Dr A very much. Paula

Hi Laura, Welcome! I went to the info meeting the end of August 05 and was in the OR November 28,2005, they wanted me in on November 12th but my Birthday was the 16th and I was totally unprepaired emotionally to go in with only I think it was 3 days notice from the time they called me to say I was approved to the day they wanted me in the OR. I had all my paperwork, back up info such as weight loss/gain history, medical problems, and insurance coverage all ready set before I saw Dr.A. I was super aggressive and it payed off. The beginning of my journey was lightning fast and isn't average. But you never know if you get all your stuff together before you have your first one-on-one with Dr. A you too may fly through. Good luck! Chrissy

Hi Laura, Great question! I have been obsessing over that also. I went to the Orientation in February and when I called to make my appt., the next available date was 4/11. So I'm guessing it will be at least 4 mths. for me. They won't let you make the first appt. until after the orientation. Which operation are you considering? I want to have the Lap Band. Anyways...the Orientation is very informative and will pretty much answer any general questions. Jen

WOW~You guys are awesome!! Our scheduled orientation is March 12 ~ I am on medicare (I am 37) due to back problems which will be helped by weight loss....I also have Anthem Blue Cross for a medigap policy, so I am pretty well set for insurance.....my Mom (who is biologically my grandmother....long sad story) cleaned out her file cabinet and gave me a HUGE file of different papers that she had kept ~ different dr's records, insurance statements, etc from my childhood.....there is even a file folder from when I was 8 years old ..... labeled "LAURA'S OBESITY DIET" ....so I started young.....I have saved my Weigh****chers records....so I guess I have THAT documentation set.... I am going back and forth between the band and rny.....I just haven't made the decision yet......

Laura, I don't know if you still have your gallbladder or not, but if you have it, you can go to your PCP and have him/her order a gallbladder ultrasound for you now, before you see Dr A. Bring the results with you to your consult with him. That's one thing done... Get and go to all of your support group meetings now, get them out of the way. Go to the one support group meeting that's with Liz and Kim and is required before you can make an appt with them. Get that out of the way. Try to get your first appt with Liz the same day as your initial with Dr A. Call and see if she's got something right after your appt with him. It'll get you on your way with her. I know that he's booking his surgeries already into April, so, keep that in mind. Paula

Thank you so much Paula!! I hate to be such a pain in the rear!! I don't have my gall bladder anymore....where do I go to find out the schedule for the meetings??? Thank you so, so much...you are an angel!!! ~laura