Lap Band with Dr. Roye

I had my first visit with the nurse this past Wednesday.  Can someone give me a rough idea how long the process took from start to finish?  My insurance claim was opened prior ot this visit.  I was told I should receive my packet within 3 weeks with all my testing dates. Does Dr. Roye require a pre-op diet?  If you have any other helpful information, i would mlove to hear it!! 

The start to finish time really depends upon how long it takes to get all the appointments scheduled.  As soon as you get the package, make the appointments.  I was told the sleep study takes the longest to finish -- you have to see the NP in the office first, then you have to schedule the study at one of the centers, then, if you need CPAP, you have to schedule a second sleep study.  My tests took about 6 weeks to get done -- but, I had to have a manometry after the upper GI, and a second sleep study.

Dr. Ryder does not require a pre-op diet.  Since she trained under Dr. Roye, it makes me think he might not.  But, call the office Monday and ask -- you have absolutely nothing to lose!

Good luck to you.

Debbie...Thank you for the information.   How long did you have to wait after all the testing was done to get your surgery date?

After all my testing was done, I had to wait about 2 1/2 weeks to see Dr. R.  At that appointment (the first week of April), we set my surgery date.  I have no idea what it would have been as she was leaving for maternity leave.  My surgery date is her first day/week back from leave.

From start to finish:  I saw Dr. Roye on January 16th, got my testing done and had my surgery on April 10th.  Sleep study is the one test that may hold things up, it takes a while to get reports and then there may be additional testing.

Because Dr. Roye is very thorough, the testing does take some time. It's been a while since my surgery. Um, going on year number three in a few days! Wow! But if I recall, I'd say six weeks sounds about right. Dr. Roye did not require a pre-op diet for me, but everyone is different. I was 299lbs the day of surgery, My best weight was 139, but I've gained a few pounds since I had to have a hysterectomy in September. Gotta love the hormones! I'm working on it this summer, but I tend to fluctuate between 149 and 156. Still totally beats the crap outta nearly 300lbs!


Pam

 i had my first visit with the nurse on sept 18th 2008 and had surgery on March 17th 2009. Dr. Roye's office forgot to submit my insurance paper work to get approval so that held up the process about 2 months. Once they submitted my paper work, within 3 weeks i received my testing packet from the time i received the testing packet it took about 2 months to go through testing. Good luck on your journey!

-J

The NP told me If Idon't receive my packet in 3 weeks that I should call the secretary.  Am I to assume that they are submitting to the insurance company at this time?  Do I have to wait until insurance approval before I receive my packet?  My appointment was very vague and I have no idea of the whole process. 

I had my first visit in November of 2007.  Kathy the NP told me to call the office in about one month if I did not hear anything.  I did call about four weeks out and received my packet in January of 2008.  The office submits the request to your insurance company and when the approval is received, the secretary will send out the packet to you in the mail.  This process took me about two months but I did have to call Dr. Roye's office to check on it.  So if you don't hear from them keep on it.  The office is a little abrasive but don't worry it's not you.

As soon as you receive the packet, make the appointment wtih the sleep Dr.  That takes the longest.  Next call the Psychologist because that takes long also.   There are two psychologists on the list.  The one that is out of R.I. Hospital takes a little longer but they take almost all insurance.  The other on the list is very quick but does not accept insurance.  Nothing can be done unless the sleep studies are complete so you can probably get into the psychologist while you are wating. 

The sleep Dr. really consists of a few appointments until the process is completed.  I went once for a consult.  Then they booked the sleep study.  She assumed by our appointemtn that I had apnea so she booked two sleep studies for me during my first visit so that sped things up.  The first sleep study was to check for apnea, the second to see what level of your machine will have to be set at if you have it.  then you have to go back to her for a follow up.  So book that when you leave your first appointment. 

I think the office books a couple of the other appointments like the barium swallow and PFT's.  The chest x-ray and echo you don't need an appointment for so I just did them on a day that I had other appointments.  the nutritionist is easy to get into also. 

On the day that you have your follow up with the sleep Dr., you can go directly to RI hospital and have your blood work done and then go right upstairs and ask to make your appointment with Dr. Roye.  You will have another consult and when you leave you will have a date for surgery.

I hope I covered it all but please do not hesitate to aks if you have any questions.  I had surgery on June 3, 2008.  It would have been sooner but I had to do most of my appointments around my work schedule and then he was not available until June.  I was probably done wtih appointments in May.

My appointment with the NP was a little vague also and I left there feeling like my head was spinning.  I didn't feel like I had enough information.  It 's good that you have come here.  This is where you will learn the most!

Jen

 Jen!!!  Look at you!!!  100 pounds gone!!!!  amazing!!!!!!