New Patient

I am so new to this and have my first appointment on August 8th. What should I expect? I know that I fit the insurance qualifications, but how many appointments will I have before I know if I can get the surgery or not?

Welcome to the board Sara! I'm fairly new here and to surgery too. I've only had one appointment so far (June 20th)and still awaiting the approval. As you will find, everyone's situation is slightly different than the other. There are elders here too Lapband or RNY that may help you better than I. Mind me asking who your surgeon will be? Good Luck! ~Dawn

Dawn, I actually chose Dr. Roye due to the recommendation of my primary and also from what I have read on this site. I am hoping to have Lap band because it is less invasive and the whole re-routing thing makes me really nervous. My first appointment is on August 8th and I am looking forward to it. You hate to get excited and not have it work out, but I am prepared for that too.

Sara, Welcome!  I had to fill out a long form before my first appointment.  After my first consultation, the Dr.'s office submitted a request to my insurance co.  I then heard from the Dr's office about 2 wks. later that I had been approved & they sent me a list of appointments & other tests that I needed.

I filled out that crazy long survey. Good gracious! I hope I have the same good fortune as you did regarding the insurance. How many appointments are on your list?

Sara, Now bare in mind that your Dr. may be diff't & lapband also.  Psych (takes a day), sleep study (took me months), bloodwork, pulmonary eval., barium test for GERD, stress test, EKG, nutritionist evaluation, MRI, & ultrasound.  Maybe there was a chest x-ray, too.  I believe that was it. Make the app't for the sleep study eval. now. LOL!

who can i make that appointment with and do i need a referal from my primary in order to get it done?

Depends on your insurance whether or not you need referral, I think.   Just tell them you are seeing your surgeon for bariatric surgery. Sleep center is http://www.lifespan.org/services/sleep/center.htm You  will be given an initial exam.  After that they will probably schedule you for the actually study.  It can be done at Newport Hosp. or other places.

Congrats on your decision to have wls surgery!! You must be very excited!!! The sleep study is usually the appointment that takes the longest to get so I would definitely schedule that as soon as you can. Its actually a 2 possiby 3 part appointment depending if you have sleep apnea or not. Newport Hospital does them but its usually a longer wait, I actually went to East Providence to have mine done.  Good luck and keep us posted!!! Jullee

Hi Sara, I had my surgery in May of 06.  It took me about 6months to get to that point, with all of the tests and appointments and  the sleep clinic.  I dont know what wls surgery you are having.  I had the RNY LAP.   What surgeon are you seeing?  I had Dr Harrington do mine.  So far I have lost approximately 107 lbs and the weight is really slowing down now.  I really have to work at it.  I am sure the other people on this message who had the surgery a year ago will tell you the same thing.  I am very happy  I had it done, it has changed my life for the better both mentally and physcially.  But it's only a tool and you really have to work at it after a year has passed because it gets harder and harder to lose when your pouch has gotten a little bigger.  When the doctor says you have to excersise ....you really do!!  Good Luck, you will be happy you had it done..... carol