Pre-op labs & requirements for Weight Wise

I had been frustrated with the way WW staff worked with me, so I ended up going to Dr. Stewart for a consultation.  His prices are good, however I was shocked to find that an upper GI was required for the sleeve.  It is very unlikely that my insurance will cover that, and so that's another 1,000 plus (not to mention there are two of us getting the surgery).  Between that and driving to Denton, that changes the math a little bit for me.

So, what are the pre-op labs for WW?  I went to a seminar and consultation with them and don't remember them mentioning an Upper GI or endoscopy or anything outside of ekg and labs.  I still have the material and nothing is mentioned.  Am I wrong?

I am very frustrated--I've tried to get all my "ducks in a row" only to find out that I will have to wait and have UGI before I can even schedule surgery with Dr. Stewart!  I need to get this done ASAP so I will have the summer to heal!  All of WW hoops seem even more time consuming, especially since they would require me to go to a consult AGAIN.  

I won't lie to you and say you won't have to have a UGI at Weightwise.  It's possible.  They did not scope me prior to surgery.  I think if you have a history of ulcers or family history of GI issues that they will want to run the test.  I had no history so there was no reason to scope.

Don't lose sight of what is happening.  The tests at all WLS programs are to determine if you are healthy enough for the procedure.  They want you to be a success so you have to jump through some hoops.  It is worth it so don't despair.  Be patient and slow down.  You didn't get overweight in a day, you won't get healthy in a day either.  Focus on the journey and remember that all such journeys have bumps along the way.

As far as staff and being frustrated, call your patient advocate and explain what is frustrating you.  If the patient advocate is not being helpful, ask for another one.  Don't go away silent.  Speak up and ask for help.  The staff at Weightwise are second-to-none.  I wouldn't be where I am without them and I cannot speak highly enough,

I dont know about up there, but here at RACH they do a EGD on anyone getting the RNY or Sleeve to check for H. pylori . I know several people who came back positive for this & had to postpone surgery till they completed a course of antibiotics. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your new tummy!

Your preop tests depend on your situation, but WW requires blood work, a stress test, consults with physiologist, nutritionist, psychologist, etc. Depending on the results of those tests they may require a sleep study, another stress test, and further testing. Your age has an impact (I had to have a colonoscopy since I'm in my 50's). When I was frustrated because WW sent me to a cardiologist for a more detailed and expensive stress test, my husband pointed out that if it showed something bad (it didn't), we would be able to get it treated rather than me winding up dead. That put it all into perspective.

Winn gave you good advice for using your patient advocate. They are invaluable.

I am not sure that any reputable program would rush you straight into surgery.  The last thing you want is a complication.  In my experience, the Weight Wise program is designed to prepare you for surgery both mentally and physically.  Their primary objective is to get you through surgery safely, and help you to maximize your weight loss.  

I got my sleeve at Weight Wise in March, and have had no problems.  Weight Wise required seminar attendance, physcian consults, psychologist consults, dietitian consults, exercise physiologist consults, sleep lab evaluation, support group attendance, labs, ekg, and pre-op weight loss.  If you ask the WW docs they will tell you that the process takes around 90 days from the time you engage the program.  Their program is one of the stricter programs out there, but they also have one of the highest success rates.  Please keep in mind that this is a major surgery, and that fast and easy might not always be the best option.

I hope this answers some of your questions, and I wish you the best of luck.    

I KNOW IT SEEMS FRUSTRATING BUT THESE TESTS ARE NECESSARY TO INSURE THAT YOU ARE HEALTHY ENOUGH FOR THIS SURGERY. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS STUPID BECAUSE OF COURSE WE ARE NOT HEALTHY BEFORE THE SURGERY AND THATS WHY WE ARE HAVING THE SURGERY IN THE FIRST PLACE. JUST BE PATIENT AND EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT FOR YOU!

I had to have an upper GI at weight wise. All the tests are ordered for your safety. They billed my insurance and they paid. And, my insurance doesn't pay for much of anything. So, go get your tests done and let weight wise do the insurance billing. They know the ropes to get health insurance to pay.