Pre-surgery tests

Hi everyone! I'm hoping to have surgery in July. I will be going to my information seminar at Sartori Hospital this Thursday. I am going to see my PCP tomorrow for my annual physical (pap, mammogram, bloodwork etc.) and was wondering if anyone can tell me what tests I will have to have for Dr. Glas**** I have Wellmark BC/BS insurance. I am pretty sure that I don't have sleep apnea, will I still be required to do a sleep study? I'd like to be able to have my PCP schedule it if it's required. Also, should I have my PCP recommend a psychologist? Can anyone who has had their surgery at Sartori tell me what to expect? After I fill out the 25 pages of questions and send them in, will they call me to set up the appointment with Dr. G or do I have to call them? Ok...yea, I have a lot of questions but I just want to get as much done as I can. Thanks

Morning Leslie, Sorry can't help you out with your questions but wanted you to know I'm excited for you & your upcoming surgery Getting as much done beforehand is really important so you are on the right track. Hugs Carolyn

Good morning Carolyn!! Thanks for the well wishes. Today is just one more step in getting healthier. Leslie

Hi glad to hear your having Dr. G. do your surgery. First of all send in your 25 page questionaire. It takes a few months for them to review it to see if your a candidate for this surgery. Then they will notify you and set up a consultation with the PA Angela and she is very good. Then they send it into insurance to see if your approved. In the mean time between your consultation and awaiting insurance approval they will set up your sleep study. I had to have one done too and I was pretty sure I did not have apnea or low oxygen when I sleep. Anyway...... I would see one of the psychologist that Dr. recommends they know what Dr. is looking and expects from the patient that is going through this surgery. Dr Targoff is in Cedar Falls and he was really nice. My best advice is to call the office and ask what they think and what is resonable to do before being approved. The staff at Sartori are excellent it is a good hospital. I would do it all over again and go the same route, Dr. Hospital etc... The follow up care is excellent. I have had a few bumps in my journey and they were not related to my surgery and Angela helped me through them. Ends up I had colitis. I have had nothing but the best care. Hope this helps you out. THere are more of us out here so don't be afraid to post for Dr. g's patients to respond. Best of Luck! Kim L. 300/138

Everything Kim said is what I would have said except a couple minor things. It probably won't take a couple months for them to review your questions. It used to but I don't think it does anymore. They do have a lot of people getting this done & there is a bit of a wait. They will have you do a pulse oximetry test to determine if you need a sleep study. I think everyone does, especially if you snore, & it will determine if your oxygen levels drop too much. It's any easy one that is done in your own home. You just wear a clip on your finger while sleeping & then bring it back in & the results are read. If it is too low they will schedule you for a sleep test. That used to be the problem. They didn't have very many places or beds for the tests & the wait was long. However, I know that Covenant has added more beds & that there is at least one new lab that opened recently in Cedar Falls. They even use the "sleep number" beds there! Isn't Olin near CR? I'm sure there are sleep labs near you & you don't have to go to the ones up here. Hopefully, that won't be necessary anyway. As far as a psychologist, any can do the job. Just let them know you are anticipating WLS & that you need a report sent to the surgeon Oking you. Each psychologist handles this differently. The one I went to administered a long test that I later found out is used to diagnose all kinds of mental disorders. It was interesting when she read the results to me. Turns out, I really am my mother's daughter! I could have sworn she was describing Mom. Now I know both Mom & I were sane! There are some who would argue. Expecting to have the surgery in July might be a bit unrealistic but who knows? I heard of one gal who got hers done quickly but all her tests had been completed much earlier because she was going to have her surgery somewhere else & then moved. The tests will be determined by the answers you give on the form & your insurance company will use that informatioin to determine if they will pay. Be very honest answering the questions. Don't answer incorrectly to avoind tests. The tests are what makes it safe for you to have the surgery & to make sure you can safely recover. For instance, if you experience heart burn or GERD regularly,you will probably need to be scoped. This will determine if you have an ulcer or something else that will need to be treated first. Believe me, you don't want an ulcer in your new pouch! You'll have all kinds of trouble, some can be VERY serious. The same goes for sleep apnea. Your anesthesia is handled differently if you have it & they have to closely monitor you. They want to make sure you wake up! Other test that are ordered are an EKG and followup tests if a problem is found, pulmonary function tests, a colonoscopy (that's not common but I had to do it due to both parents having colon cancer & my age), chest X-rays, normal blood work up, ultra sound of the abdomen, & probably some I can't recall or didn't need. I always thought I was healthy but these tests showed I wasn't in as good of shape as I thought. These tests have saved the lives of a few of us. Good luck & let us know what happens. Be sure to address these questions on Thursday and ask about how long the wait is. Even if you have to wait longer, it is worth it. Dixie

Hi Dixie I never took the pulse ox home they just scheduled me for a sleep study. So I figured everyone has one done. It still is taking some time my father in law and my mom's co worker are still waiting. Well I guess my mom's co worker is still waiting and its been a couple months and as far as my mom knows she is still awaiting to hear from them. My father in law waited a couple months and is now getting the ball running so it is still taking some time. I know I told my father in law to call frequently to ask where he stands etc..... So I don't know. How did the meeting go last night? Hope you have a good day! Kim

Well hello! Just had my surgery done almost 2 weeks ago at Sartori. The staff is wonderful so you're in great hands!!!! I believe, don't quote me, but I think that BCBS requires a sleep study. The PCI building is in CR and you arrive at 8:30pm and they do the test that night. My PCP scheduled it for me as soon as I found out BCBS needed a sleep study. I didn't think I had anything wrong but turned out that I have obstructive sleep apnea. Psych eval I used is here in CR...he's a nut himself but he recommended me for the surgery. They're at the Cedar center. I went to the seminar on Feb 15th. My first ppt with angie was at the end of Feb and I had surgery April 6th. But keep in mind, I went in with ALL of my tests done except the pre-op tests and my gastroscope. I had the scope done within a week after Angie told me I had to have it done. BCBS got back to me with an approval after 5 days. I called Dr. G's office about 2 days after I mailed the paperwork and they got me an appointment. I know they're so busy though so that will be your decision whether or not you call them or they call you. I'll be thinking bout ya!!!! Hugs, Jen

I had my surgery done 3 weeks ago...at the UIHC, I have BC/BS Alliance Sellect, and I didn't have to have a sleep study. Good Luck with all your tests, Nancy

I can't help you with any specific questions I just wanted to wish you the best as you begin the process. I have recently been approved, got a date, and finished scheduling all of my tests. IT IS A LONG ROAD! It can really test you- as you are going through all of the emotions that tag along with the decision. I started a journal to keep all of my questions for my Dr. and all of my test dates and phone numbers and etc. It has helped me through it. Plus- keep reading this board- it's full of tons of information and good people. Good luck, Jennifer

Congrats on taking the 1st steps to a new life. They have another surgeon in with Dr. Glas**** so I believe the process is speeding up a bit. They will require you to do an overnight oximetry test which monitors the oxygen level in your blood by wearing a clothespin like probe on your finger..... if your levels drop during sleep they will schedule you for a sleep study where you sleep overnite in one of their sleep labs. Good luck