How long does it take?

I am wondering if anyone can give me a guestimate of how long it will take for me to finish the preliminaries and get a date? I have had my meeting with the nutritionist, and been tested by the psychologist, and been for the Sleep Apnea over night deal. I know I have to get my C-Pap machine and start using it and then go back to that clinic for a check-up but what else is involved?? How many more tests do I have to have? and what are they? I've read some of these profiles and they talk about Gall Bladder Ultrasounds and Liver tests and and and.......... What is USUAL? Susan

Hey Susan.. It depends on the doctor what all tests he wants done. With Dr. Whitehead all I was required to do was nutritionist and Psyciatric exam. When did you do your Sleep Apnea test? If all is ok, and they have your approval from insurance they will give you a date. Thats how they did with me. Once I got my date they set me up for pre-op tests which have to be done like 4 days before surgery. It was EKG, X-ray, and blood work. It was fairly quick after I had my approval. Do they have this yet? If I remember correctly you had this already, didnt you? I believe the doctors in Jackson want more--they require alot of things Dr. Whitehead didnt. I guess it depends on the patient too. As soon as I got approved I called Janet and we scheduled a date. I see a surgery in your future very very soon!

Sleep apnea test was last night. I definately have sleep apnea, and I knew it going in. Hope I can get a C-PAP machine end of next week. My insurance shouldn't be a problem, since the book specifically identifies this surgery in their lists of what they will pay for. I understood Janet to tell me that she sends the info to the insurance company and they answer her as to whether they approve or not. Is this correct? or do I need to contact them myself. Some of the things that Janet has told me have turned out to be not to be exactly right - that's why I am asking. I really need to get this done and me over it enough to go to work by January 1st. Susan

Yes, Janet is right about sending the info in. She will probably wait until everything comes back and send it all in together. I would call her Monday and let her know about the sleep study. She will get that together andgive it to pre-cert nurse (Terry, whom I became very close to). Then insurance will approve-and you will get your date. I'm curious now... what has she said that was not exacty right? I have had a few questions about things shes told me too...sooo... email me privatly if you want. It took a good 3 to 4 weeks to get everything back from nutritionist and psyc dr. Dr. Hartwig seemed to take forever getting everything back to Janet. On a happier note... your almost there!

Susan, I'm with Christine there, it depends on your surgeon. If this helps though, I had my first appointment in March, where they did an interview to see if I was a candidate. Then I had to submit my " diet history" , did that per Email to my doctor's bariatric coordinator, along with all my doctors' addresses to get records showing my history of high bloodpressure as well as the records from the Navy Hospital showing that I've taken part in a clinical attempt to lose weight that included nutrional counselling and weighing in several times. It took the office two months to gather all my info and get insurance approval. In the middle of May I was told ok, you have to come in and do some tests, so I scheduled them for early June, talked to a nutrionist that day, did my ultra sounds, the xrays, bloodwork , met the anesthesiologist for an evaluation, a three hour "what to expect in the hospital and post op" orientation and then one last visit with the hospital within a week of the surgery date to do one last blood test < making sure not pregnant? or smoking? not sure what it was for > and to register myself into the hospital. Three months. The ultrasound for gall bladder and liver took about 45 minutes, xray MAYBE 5 minutes, and that included waiting for them to call me to the back and then hugging that ICE COLD Xraymachine So basically, the LONGEST time they spent on gathering info, once they had it together and had approval, I could have had surgery within 2 weeks. I got to chose my date so I made sure I scheduled it with plenty of time to let my employer know, so I wouldn't put anyone at work in jeopardy. Good luck on your journey Andrea

I had pulmonary, psycho, nutrition, sleep studyand I think that's all...But I am not one to judge how long it will take you!!! I have hit a snafu...but it seems it takes less and less time to get there... Smoochers, Arlies