newbie

Hi
I am new to this 

I live in pa  and have my 1st appointment  At Geisinger in Danville on the 20th

I am very nervous    has anyone here gone there   What should I expect at this appt.

Also what kind of time line from 1st to operation  will I be looking at?  ( ball park)

Thanks

Depending on insurance it can be a slow process with a couple steps along the way. You will most likely have to attend some pre surgery support groups and get a psych evaluation. Once approve than comes the nerve racking wait.
We've all been through those feelings. It will be so worth it in the end...............

Don't be shy about questions on here as we've all been down that road.

Welcome to the OH PA Forum, no experience with the place you are going, as I had my surgery in 2007 at Barix in Langhorne, however, we all experience the nervousness pre-surgery. 

Each place is different, you did not say whether this is a consult, but I am assuming it is?  and probably they will present you with the different types of surgical procedures and discuss which one they feel you would most benefit from. 

Different insurance companies, as well as different places require different things, some require a 6 month pre-op doctor supervised diet, attendance at support groups, sleep studies, cardio clearance, as I said, it is different for each and many will tell you that if you gain weight prior to surgery, they won't do the procedure, as they look upon that as you being unwilling to change your habits.

If you haven't already, go in the door educated within researching the different procedures, with a kind of knowing what you believe will work in your life best. 

My experience within the place I had surgery was I had my consult the end of May and had my surgery mid-October.

Good luck and educated consumers make good decisions and this board is full of wonderfully supportive people.

Laureen

Good morning and welcome to the PA boards.  We are a close, crazy, fun and informative crowd.  Have fun with all of this that is ahead of you.  There will most likely be many ups and downs along the way.  But as has been said it is all worth it!  

I am in Philadelphia, so I don't know about Geisinger.  However, there are many on here who have.  My experince was very diffferent than most as I was approved VERY quickly and it only took me two months from consult to surgery.  However, I had spent the prior three years in therapy, at the gym and in WW.  I joke that my insurance company took one look at my information and said, "THANK GOD THIS GIRL IS DOING SOMETHING!"  ha ha!  They had been paying for the other things that I was mentioning! :)

The nerves you are feeling are soooo normal.  This entire journey - in which I am only just at year two - is a lifelong event.  There will be AMAZING days and there will be, "what the hell was I thinking" days.  The hope is that the first outwieghs the latter.  

My only suggestion is to be sure you have a GREAT support system in place.  THAT is what will pull you through the crappy days and will make sure your great days are that much better!

Congratulations on starting this new chapter in your life.

I am a Geisinger Girl.  Their program is fantastic.  There is nothing to be nervous about.  You are looking into having a healthier life - and if your head & heart are in the right place, you will do fine.  It will take 6 months before you meet with a surgeon.  My 1st appt was informative and not bad at all.  They will explain their entire program to you. Who are you seeing there?  I love Shannon & Jaime.  If you are informed, read everything and do what they tell you - you wioll succeed.  Any specific questions, just ask away...Best of luck.

Sara

 Welcome.  I'm in Altoona and went to Geisinger Danville also.  As Sara said the first appt is more an informational meeting and they do ask a lot of questions.  I asked a lot also.  The "program" is 6 months and then anytime after that if you've met all the goals and passes everything else you get your surgery date.  My first appt was March 11, 2010 and I had my surgery on March 4, 2011.  I waited also because I travel I-80 and the weather was bad.

Jamie and Courtney are great.  I go to Geisinger State College between my appts in Danville.  Have you created an account with MyGeisinger.org yet?  I would recomment that.  You can send messages, get appts and lab results when you sign on.

Thank You for all your help!  I am learning alot reading the boards.   

Yes i am online with geisinger and have been reading alot there.  I filled out my forms there and sent them so that is out of the way.  I am sure there will be more  but at least some are done.

I was guessing around 6 months timeline.   That seem SSSOO  LONG!!!   But I am sure it will pass fairly quickly  ( I hope)

My 1st appt. is monday  6/20  with Pardeep Bansal md 

really want to lose weight but even more than that I am hoping this will get me off insulin

Thanks again

Sally

 Hopefully this will take care of your insulin issue.  I haven't taken a blood pressure pill since I left the hospital.  I only take a water pill once or twice a week now and that's it.  Good luck, the 6 months will fly by.

I went to Geisinger as well.  I love love love Jamie and Courtney...They are wonderful..Now I had the Lap-Band surgery, none-the-less they are wonderful there.  MyGeisinger.org is a fantastic tool...they usually get back to you the same day. 

I had my first consult June 2010 and had surgery March 2011.  I had to wait so long because I switched jobs and insurances and they have a program fee of $375 that I had a hard time coming up w/ since I have 3 kids!  But they are fantastic and very easy to work with. 

My doctor was John Gaberialson...He looks young, very sweet and his PA Matt Plank is also very nice.  I was a little worried, because I had heard he hasn't done many bands, but he was very good! 

I go to the State College clinic in between my band fills.  They are great there too!! 

Good luck and keep us posted!!