Question about Physician clearance/ Dr. Aranow patient

Hello! I am new to this list. I have visited this site many times since I have been considering Gastric Bypass Surgery and finally had my face to face meeting today with Dr. Aranow!! I am so excited to finally be pursuing surgery on an official basis. I have been attending the support group meetings gathering lots of information. What an excellent resource. The people (post op) are so open and helpful. One question I have is about the worksheet Dr. Aranow gave me to use to call for my psych eval and for the exam and clearance from my primary care physician. I called my PCP and they say I need a surgery date in order to get clearance. Is that the norm for those who have been through this? Or should I persue this with my PCP? Thanks, Terri

I don't think you should need a surgery date, if the surgeon wants to know from your PCP that you are fit for surgery. Having said that, I DID have a tentative date when I had my final clearance physical with my PCP. The final clearance needs to be done within 2 weeks of surgery, I believe. If that's what you need, a final clearance physical, then you should have a date for it. If all you need is a exam from your physician and his opinion about your fitness for this surgery, then you shouldn't need a date. Does any of this make sense??? Perhaps you can clarify a bit more what you need from the PCP.

Thanks Lisa, That makes sense from what the PCP's office said. The clearance exam to be done 2 weeks before surgery. I think I will clarify whether I need another exam beyond that --- although, I am due for a physical anyway, so I may as well get that done and that should take care of it. Thank you very much for responding. I am so excited!! I got my package from Kim Daniels' office for my psych evaluation! YIPPEE! Terri