After your first meeting with the surgeon...

How long does it take to get a surgery date? I will be meeting with Dr. Aranow on 8/24. Say everything goes well (I've already gotten my psych. evaluation and I don't think I will need a sleep apnea or a cardiologist appt), do you know when he makes the surgery appointment? I was figuring possibly sometime in November. Is this getting my hopes up too high? I've beem meeting with my primary care physician since May to weigh in once a month......just in case the insurance company needs that information. I've been trying to be proactive with everything, but I was just curious to get everyone else's opinion! Thanks to all!!!! Happy Sunday!!! (And today is my daughter's 6th birthday too!!!!!)

Tammy: Happy birthday to your daughter!!! I can not help you with Dr. Aranow since I went to Dr.Bell but I would think you are pretty close to getting a date. Best of luck to you!!! Chryssie

Dr. A will require you to lose 10 to 20 lbs before surgery and NOT until then will he schedule a date. He may also wanted added tests...other than the dietary or psych eval. Once I had everything done...he was about a month booked with surgeries. Happy BD to your daughter... Good Luck to you!

Hi Tammy, I had the group prestentation with Dr. Aranow in February and between February and my consultation with him in May I made all the appointments with doctors that I thought might need to see. I met with him on May 19th. After that I had to meet with the Psych (how did you get to schedule that before your consult with Dr. A?? Lucky gal!) and the nutritionist and the barium swallow. I also needed to lose 18 lbs. I was able to get this all done by Mid July and was given my surgery date which was four weeks away at that point. It seemed like my time was never going to get here and now I am three days away! This whole process has taught me a lot about being patient, which is something that I always had a problem with.

Hi Eileen! I actually used a therapist that was referred to me by another friend who had wls and this therapist happened to be on my insurance too. I met with her twice (and continue to meet with her) and she has already done a letter approving me for ther surgery. I feel very lucky because I already have the letter, and I found a great therapist! I'm so excited and nervous. Just 9 more days until my meeting with Dr. Aranow. Seems like I've been waiting so long for this appt.....;) and I know the waiting isn't over with yet!!! But that's ok, I have a lot of patience because I know what the reward will be by hanging in there and following all the instructions. A more healthy and active life!!! YAHOOO!

Tammy, You definately have the right attitude! Are you going to be at the support group tomorrow night? I am going to try my hardest to make it. Eileen

Hi Tammy It looks like you might get your wish come true to have this surgery this November since you catch up quickly than I am when I had my first appointment with Dr Aranow. Depend on your history of your health, Dr Aranow will review your papereworks and asked you some questions about your history of your health, he will order what kind of tests he wants from you and will tell you how much pounds you need to lose before your surgery. I would expect you need this dietary Evaluation, Barium Swallow, final clearence from your PCP and maybe sleep study to find out if you have sleep apnea or not. I am going to see Lois today to weight in before I will get my surgery date ( I would like to have it in October because of my daugther s birthday in Sept 23rd. Tell your daugther happy birthday!!!!) I will be at support group tonight and hope to chat with you after the meeting. Kathy K