New need lots of help

Hi, I have just gotten all my prelim appointments scheduled my last one is on July 15th. I was wondering how long it took to get a surgry date after that last appointment is done. And would love any info on how long the whole process took everyone. Thank you

Hi! Welcome! Lets see, I finished all my pre-op appts. at the end of November. My surgery was on Feb. 25. It really depends on so many factors. You may need some follow-ups before clearance is given..like sleep studies etc, also, schedules do change. My date was change a couple of times. But, in the end...the wait may seem like forever at first...its a great time to reflect and research. Then, when you surgery date gets here..wow..it all goes so fast! I think they changed how they give surgery dates now? Someone with a recent date can answer that better. I was given a tentative date once I called in with all my appts. scheduled. Good luck and you will love this board! Hugs, Kimberly

Kristina, Everyone is different. It took me about 6 months from my initial consult with Dr Wynn until my surgery. (I'm 7 weeks post Op) Seems that I had my surgery date fairly early on compared to what some people are going thru now. Some people are being required to take a Lifeskills class at PMRI, others are not. Some things depend on what your insurance requires. I would suggest calling your insurance company to make sure what their specific requirements are for gastric bypass. Different ones require anything from a letter from your doctor stating medical necessity to years of documentation. I'm not sure what you mean by "the whole process". THe best way to get the big picture is to read as many profiles as you can. Everyone's story is different! Ask lots of questions here. THis is a great group. You'll get to hear all of our experiences! Ken -46

Kristina, I see you have Dr. Wynn. There is a support meeting at PMRI Saturday morning at 10AM. Make it if you can, you'll meet some of us and gets loads of information. PMRI is located at 100 & 52 in the old Pelleport bld, now part of Christiana Health Care. Cost is $5.00. Like Ken said, double click on our names and read our profiles. We've listed the good, bad & ugly. Elissa

Read my profile... I certainly had the bad & ugly... but, I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat! Welcome to our club!!

Hi Kristina, Just wanted to say hello and welcome! Linda

Hi Kristina, I am in the same boat that you are. I am also in my pre-op stage. I went for my initial consultation back in January of this year. I had all of my appointments scheduled, returned for follow ups, and had blood work done in March and April. I went for my EGD on May 12th, which was a breeze. I am currently in the Life Skills class, which for me, ends this coming Wednesday. I was called with an original surgery date of July 21st but i had to postpone that due to some other things going on with me over the next few weeks after that date, but i was able to reschedule and now I have my surgery on August 25th. My next appointment before surgery is my pre-op appointment with Dr. Wynn on August 6th. So basically, from the time of my first consultaion uhntil my surgery date it will be 8 months. As for receiving my surgery date, I got that call about about 2 weeks ago. It's a long process, but well worth it. When i got my date, I was on cloud 9. What seemed like a lifetime, is now a reality because the date has been scheduled! You will feel that way too! If you have any questions, concerns, problems or just need to know anything, please let us know. I am fairly new to this board. I've been here for about 3 months or so, but have met some awesome people through this. We are here to help and support each other. I'll sound like a broken record, but this is really a great group of people!! If you are attending the meeting tomorrow at PMRI, look for us, we'll all be wearing name tags, feel free to introduce yourself! Good Luck to you!!! -Joe-

Kristina, Everyone so far has made a good point. It's been different for all of us. I just got a surgery date of August 2 and I found this out on May 24. I still have to get an EGD (on 6/29). It's taking me about a year from start to finish (first consult to actual surgery) and no matter how much I "begged and pleaded" Dr. Iragu's office, they wouldn't give me a surgery date until they had all my test results in the office and the approval from my insurance company. I can understand their reasoning (well, not really when I was waiting and waiting and waiting) but that's the way it was. At least for ME. Good luck!!! Kit