Question

Good Morning, Ok, yall said I could ask questions, so here is my first.  Now I have read alot of stuff on this board, but if at any time I'm not correct, please let me know. So, at the first appointment, you meet with the Financial Counselor, Nutrionalist, Nurse Practioner, and the Surgeon.  To my understanding, at the first appointment the will give you a list of tests that need to be done.  I just had my sleep study on March 12.  One of tests that I know you have to have is Psych Eval. Now I know it can take awhile to get into see certain specialist, sometimes up to a month or so.  So would I be on the safe side to go ahead and start scheduling some appointments with these specialist????  With Aetna, I believe it has to be in the 3 month time span, so I could make the appointments now for the end of April, beginning of May. Thanks in advance!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh sorry, and does anybody recommend a Dr that they went to for their Psych Eval?  Thanks!

I suggest finding out from your insurance company their requirements for WLS Some have 3 months supervised diet  others 6 months. I ran out and got all my test done right away then had to have some redone because  at the time of surgury they were over six months old. I have a great therapist  Ranessa McNally  410-602-0102. She is in Reisterstown  only about 20-30 minutes from you.  She has had WLS and recentlygot some plastics done so she understands what you will be going thru :    Your surgeons office may give you some suggestions as well. Who is your surgeon by the way? Welcome to the boards and feel free to ask as many questions as you need too.  We are a friendly bunch and always glad to lend a helping hand.

Hey Darla!  Thanks for responding.  I did check my Insurance and its a 3 month Multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen or a 6 month supervised diet.  I don't know if you get to choose which one you do, if I do, I will be going with the 3 month multidiciplinary preparatory regimen.  As for waiting till I see the surgeon, after reading all the responses, that is exactly what I'm going to do.  As for my Surgeon, it's Moeinolmolki, Babak, MD at GBMC.  I only had 3 to choose from.  The other one was Von Rueden, David, MD and Gandsas, Alejandro, MD.  Is there one that really have had great reviews.  At first I thought Moeinolmoki and Von Rueden were at the same office, but I got it mixed up.  I just want to make the right choices.  Thanks for responding. 

I agree witheverything Darla said!  Especially the part about Dr. McNally!  She has been an amazing aid to me during this journey.  I only went to her for the mandatory pre-op thinking that I'm fine and I'll never need to see her again.  But, something told me to keep her card.  And now, I've been seeing her monthly since November. 

Hey!  I checked in my doctor find for Dr. McNally, and I dont know if Aetna will cover me to go see her.  I wonder how much a self pay appointment will be.  I guess something I need to check into.  I see that your surgeon is the one I will be seeing. Any compliments or complaints with anything?

Absolutely none!  I bonded with Dr. Moein from the minute I met him in the informational seminar.  He has been caring, informative and tough on me.  IMO, as I meet and talk with some postops, I am shocked with their post op guidelines, etc.  I know that I picked the right surgeon for me.  He has helped me to change my life and I am forever grateful.  Plus, he's too cute! 

Gosh I pray I that I have the expierence.  I also had a chance to hear him speak at the informational seminar but didn't get a chance to introduce myself because everybody was trying to ask him questions, so I just leftl  You said that you were shocked with their post op guidelines, etc., can you expand alittle? 

For example, I have a friend in Atlanta who had surgery in August.  Her doctor suggested that she eat mashed potatoes and cream of potato soup during her first week out of the hospital.    That's an extreme example, but you get my point.  I think that the guidelines that the GBMC COMP office has in place are excellent and I appreciate the post op care that I've gotten.  Honestly though, as a whole, I've heard only great things from most of the surgeons here in the MD area. 

ohhhhhhhhh ok!!!  Well as hard as my journey will be, I'm so looking forward to it.  I just hope that yall bare with me through the rough times and all the questions.  Thanks!