For those who have gone before me...

WLS is excluded on my insurance so I will be self pay. I had 14 lbs to lose pre-op. I have lost 10 of those already -- yea! I go back to see Dr Walton on 6/27. If things continue this way, I am sure I will have at least the other 4 lbs gone by then. Since I am self pay, what is the soonest you think I would be able to schedule surgery? I am just a little anxious - LOL - besides trying to plan my summer.

If you have lost the 4 lbs by they 27th, they should schedule it on that day.

I think they are about 3 weeks out or so on scheduling.  I would think it would be around the 3rd or 4th week of July if you have all your pre-op testing and stuff done.  Did they mention that they might be able to turn the 27th into a pre-op visit?  I would call Brandi and talk to her about it.  If they do that, you could have it a week or two later.   Diana

No, they did not mention that. Who is Brandi? I have not met her.

Brandi is a patient advocate

The best number for Brandi at WeightWise is 715-7121.  She will call you back if it doesn't go straight through.  Congratulations for all your success and getting close to your date.  These folks are AWESOME.....from the front door to the back door as well as the on-line friends.  They truly treat you like royalty at WeightWise.  They KNOW what they are doing.  I was also a self-pay and would do it all over again.  My RNY was on March 12th and I had another follow up this morning with Dr. Walton and as of today I've lost a total of 98 pounds.  I have been on a 2 week stall but my body cut loose of 3 pounds since yesterday morning!!  I wish I could get past weighing every day but I can't somehow do it.  I go from not weighing for years to everyday!!!  Life is good and I feel like with my new tool I will be successful.  I hope we get to meet at the support group sometime!!  -- Debbie

Diana is right.  Please call your patient advocate which for Dr. Walton should be Brandy.  They might be able to turn that appointment in to a pre-op appointment.  Then you can get a surgery date.  Should be soon now so I'll say a big congratulations! I was self-pay too and I have zero regrets at 8 days out! Kim

Thanks! I have a call into Kathy regarding the rest of my lab so I will ask her also when she calls me back. I had to have some additional lab drawn as I am a carrier of hemophilia. Duh, I know who Brandy is now. For some reason I want to call her Beverly -- at least I got the B right! I am planning on being at Support Group tonight but the weather predictions are scaring me.

Nancy

The only thing I can add is that I was told I could pretty much set my own date since I was self pay..you can get a quicker date.

I received a call back from Kathy and she told me the special lab test I was waiting on was not back yet. I told her that was odd as it should not take that long but she checked the computer and it still said pending. An hour later she called me back. She said my comment made her think and so she called the lab and the result WAS available. It was not the news I wanted though. The level was low which means I have a risk of excess bleeding with surgery. The PA who has agreed to consult if my level was low is out of town this week so it will be next wee****il Kathy can follow up with her to see how much factor IX replacement I will need for surgery. The good part is that I work for a specialty pharmacy and as a benefit I receive core drugs for free -- factor IX is one of them (and it is not cheap!). I will check tomorrow on how to access that benefit. I am still going to call Brandy tomorrow and ask about making my next visit a pre-op visit though. Hopefully this little glitch won't slow things down. Nancy