What should I do

My seminar is the last thurs. in Nov.  Should I contact the drs. office and start all of my tests early or wait for the seminar?  Obviously I am getting very anxious and can't wait to get this done but don't know if I should start the ball rolling ahead of time. Debbi

I think there is nothing wrong with contacting them and getting the tests started.  It takes a while to get through the testing process.  The only downside is if you insurance has a diet requirement that you will need to meet.  Some insurance companies seem to require that.  If that happens, you will probably have to repeat the tests because the doctor will want more recent results.

Debbi, I'm having my surgery at Highland.  Once you attend the seminar, you will receive a letter telling you what tests you need to have done--along with the dr's order for those tests.  I received one for an ultrasound of my gallbladder, which I was able to have done at my local hospital.  You can call the dr's office, but I don't believe they will order any tests until after the seminar.  They have a very set procedure that they follow at Highland.

Thanks for writing back.   I appreciate it.  My Dr. goes thru Highland also.  Mr. Dr. is going to be Dr. O'Malley.  Is yours of the same group?  Were there a lot of tests that you had to go through first?  Some people that I have spoken to (here on line) say that they had to diet first.  Did yours?  also, what about doing the special foods first.  Did yours?

Dr O'Malley and Dr Boss work out of the same office.  I know that they don't require weight loss before surgery unless you are having the lap band.  If you want the lap band, your insurance will most likely require a 10% weight loss.  They give you a meal plan to follow at the nutrition seminar, which is your next step after the informational seminar.  If you follow the plan to the letter, you will lose some weight.  They do stipulate that you can't gain any weight between the nutrition seminar and your surgery date, or they will postpone the surgery.  After you attend the nutrition seminar, they will send you letter telling you how many visits you will need with the nutritionist to satisfy your insurance company's requirements. You'll get details of your post op diet at the nutrition seminar, then again when the nutritionist clears you for surgery. The only test I've had so far was the ultrasound on my gallbladder.  The surgeon may order more tests when I see him, I'll find out when I go to that appointment--which should be somewhere around the first of November.

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY!!!!  Someone that is going thru the process with the same office!  Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions?  Was it up to you to have to decide which kind of surgery to have?  I heard from someone else that she was counting on having the lap band but Dr. O said he did not want to do the lap band on her.  she said her BMI was way too high.  Mine is also but I also heard that the lap band is better.  what is your view and does the office have a view on this?  How long was your seminar (a couple of hours, all day?).  Cripe if they make me lose 10% of the weight it will definitely take me forever!  It took me 2 months to lose 10 lbs. thru weigh****chers and that was following the plan to the "t".  Did you get a date on your surgery? Thanks for your answers, I really appreciate it! Debbi

I hear you.  I've been a bit frustrated about not being able to find anyone on here that described the process in-depth.  RE: deciding on the type of surgery:  I can't have the lap band because I have a hiatal hernia that's pretty severe.  They recommend the RNY for people with higher BMI's, and the DS if your BMI is REALLY high.  I'll be having the RNY.  Personally, I wouldn't choose the lapband for me because I feel that the malabsorption and possible dumping that you get with RNY are tools that will really help me lose the weight.  I think it would be too easy for me to overeat with the lapband, even if I could have it.  I haven't spoken to the surgeon in person yet, so I can't really give you the office's opinion on the different procedures.  When they present them in the seminar, they are pretty neutral.  Make sure you ask lots of questions, that's what the seminar is for :) RE: seminar length:  I think it was about 3 hrs?  Whatever it says in your packet is correct.  I'm sorry, but I'm drawing a blank right now.  You can't bring anyone with you into the seminar because of HIPPA regulations.  My fiance had to wait in the lobby. RE: surgery date----not yet.  When I was cleared by the nutritionist and psychologist on 10/2, they told me that I should have an appointment with Dr Boss in roughly 4 weeks and that surgery is usually scheduled for about 3 weeks after that.  I'm hoping to have my surgery by my birthday, December 9th. BTW--I sent you a pm.  We know each other through our daughters :)

Thanks for the info.  What do they consider REALLY high?  I heard from someone that it was an all day thing, then I heard it was 5 hours.  so, now I know.  I can deal with 3.  I'm so happy for you.  Dec. isn't too far away.  Nice present, huh?  What kind of ?'s did the psychologist ask you?  Did you have to go for a sleep test (can't remember if you told me or not).  I wrote you some notes.  Nice talking to you again.  Let's keep in touch.  I know I had a great time when I saw you here last time! Debbi Going to beddy by talk to you later.

I haven't had a sleep study.  I'm hoping the surgeon won't ask me to have one.  I snore terribly, but I seem to get enough sleep.......so who knows. The psychologist basically wanted to know if I understood the surgical procedure and the possible risks.  She also wanted to know how much support I had from family and friends to help me through.  I've had some issues with depression, but not at the moment.  She was fine with that.  It was a pretty easy interview--especially considering that I was a nervous wreck about it beforehand. Really high BMI?  I think over 60, but it depends on the individual.  I'm off to bed, too.  Talk to you soon :)

Debbi, I also have gone through the Highland group.  My surgery was 8/15.  My Seminar was 3/15, at first I was going to get the Lapband but changed my mind after reading the chats on the Lapbandtalk.com forum.  I didn't want to go through the process only to lose 20 pounds.  My neighbor had the Lapband and has only lost 20 pounds in the past year, just not worth it to me.  So I chose the RNY, I have lost 42 pounds and feel really great.  I have so much energy now, it is so nice to go to the closet and have something to wear that you don't have to sueeze into.  You don't have to lose any weight pre-op just maintain the weight you are at.  I only did 3 months with the nutritionist and a week later was scheduled with the doctor.  Two weeks after that I had surgery.  My insurance is blue choice.  Any other questions let me know. Karen