Hi Im new here

Hi

Im wanting to have weightloss surgery and have a lot of questions. Ive been reading all the postings and do I have to get a phyc evaluation? wow I didnt know that it involved all of that kind of stuff. I am also kind of sad that it take 3 to 6 months to get the surgery. I guess Im the kind of person when I  make up my mind Im ready to get it done now. I went to a nutritionist a year and a half ago. Do I have to go again? What else can I expect to go through? Thanks for all the answers!

Victoria

Dear Victoria:

WELCOME to the Illinois Board----the best board for support and friendship on OH (in my opinion.....)

Weight loss surgery is a process.  The first thing to do is check with your insurance to see what their requirements are for approval.  Many require a 3-6 month medically supervised diet within the last year and that is where you would begin.  Find out what they need and then give it to them.

Many insurance companies DO require a psych consult to make sure that you are ready to comply with the changes that are required both before and after surgery.

Depending on your co-morbidites, you may also have to see a cardiologist and pulmonologist.

Good luck and welcome again.  Please join us on the "Daily Roll Call".....that is where we share our everyday lives.

Hello and welcome

This time last year I was going through my 6 month doctor supervised diet.  It does go by pretty fast.  I agree with Dawn- call your insurance company and find out exactly what you need to get approved.  You don't want to go through everything and find out your not approved because of one little detail was missed. 

My insurance did require a psych evaluation.  My surgeon required a cardiology and pulmonology clearance.  I also had blood work that needed to be done pre-surgery (also surgeon's requirements)  I did not need to see a nutritionist but my surgeon's office is very good and they had classes we had to attend to understand our diets after surgery.  It is a lot of work but it's a big change and it's all done in our best interest.

I hope see you on our daily roll call.  Good luck. 

Yes be sure to check with insurance first. Mine had a list of things that had to be charted at every visit for six months and if one was missing, you had to start over. I wanted mine done as soon as I decided but I learned a lot from waiting. It will come when it is supposed to. As others said, you can learn a lot here.

Welcome,

Connie

Hi, Victoria!

I'd say, first figure out what surgery you want. There are four main ones available today:

1) Duodenal switch (restriction and malabsorption)
2) Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (restriction only)
3) Lap Band/Realize Band (restriction only)
4) RNY (traditional gastric bypass--restriction and malabosprtion, but malabsorption of some fat/calories only lasts 18-24 months, but the malabsorption of certain vitamins is forever)

They--and their long-term results and post-op lifestyles--are very different. Make sure you give some thought about who you are, why you got obese in the first place and what success means to you.

Check out the various forums here on OH (especially the revisions forum) and go online and read clinical data on all of the surgeries (use www.pubmed.gov for starters). Whatever you do, do NOT just get a surgery because you know someone who had it, or because you are fed up with being fat TODAY. This is a lifetime commitment. You will have to live with it forever. You do NOT want a revision down the line.

Best of luck to you!

Nicolle