New to board-going to Madigan

Hello,

I've been looking around at posts trying to learn as much as I can. I got a referral from my doc to General Surgery and am scheduled for a seminar on Thursday with Dr. Beekly. (I think that is the seminar. Hubby took the message and he's never been too good at taking notes.) My question is, about how long is the process from once you go to the initial seminar to surgery date?

I've been to a couple of Dr. Oh's seminars both in Federal Way and Enumclaw and I feel like I learn something new each time. I've got my trusty notebook to write down things that I am learning so I don't forget. Okay, I just wanted to ask that question and introduce myself.

Kimmi

Hello and Welcome. One you attend the seminar you have to complete the pathway it took me 7 months to complete the pathway and I met with the surgeon on Jan 23, 2009 and I am scheduled to have Lap Gastric Bypass on March 18. The seminar is great but I think I have learned the most from going to the support group meetings.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hello Kimmi

It took me less than two months from seminar to surgery, and those were pretty busy just trying to set up all the endless appointments, fit in iron infusions, etc.

My insurance said yes basically right away, but then Dr Srikanth made me wait until I had all my tests done (or at least set up) before they looked at their surgery schedule for me, so it could have gone even faster.

Mind you, he did want me to lose 10% of my body weight before surgery, so I needed some time to work on that, anyway.

Keep reading, there is so much to learn here. Good luck with it all!

Kimmi,
I also wanted to give you the name of the bariatric case manager for Madigan. Her name is Meg Voelker her number is 968-3640 give her a call and let her know you want to start the pathway for gastric bypass and she will be the one to sign you up. You might have to leave a message and keep calling back if she does not return your phone call.

Hello all,

Thank you for the welcome. Is it standard to have to lose weight before surgery or does that vary from sugeon/hospital? I am so nervous/excited for this new change.

Anna, thank you for Meg's number. I called it to see if I could start the Pathway right away and left her a message. How long is the initial seminar? Do you pick your surgeon or would I automatically be assigned to Dr. Beekly since he is giving the seminar? Sorry I have so many questions. I have just been so excited about all this, I can't sleep. I wish Thursday would hurry up and get here.

My girlfriend has also been looking into surgery and she wants to go through Dr. Oh instead of Madigan, but use the military insurance. Is that possible? I told her to call Tricare and double check, but wasn't sure if anybody knew. Okay, I'm so excited to be on this board and start my new journey.

Kimmi

Kimmi,
I can't remember how long the seminar was I think a little over an hour but not sure. When you complete the pathway and see meg  for the last time you go to general surge. clinic and ask for the next avail bariatric surgeon or you can ask for which ever one you prefer. I first attended Dr. Oh's seminar and had a consultation with him, I was told by his office that they only do one Tri-Care insurance a month so there is a long wait also when I called Tri Care they said that it would not be covered because Madigan offers it. Also if you are intrested there is a support group that meets on Thursday nights from 5-7pm in the Cosio room on the ground floor of Madigan next to the ATM and dinning hall. They are a great resource of information and tips.

 

 

Hi Kimmi!

I think most people take about 6 months from start to finish.  No Dr beekley won't automatically be your surgeon. I wish I had other info for you but the have revamped the program since I went through.

Do try and come to a thursday meeting though if you can, you can come any time between 5-7 so if you are late it is ok!  No kids though because sometimes the talk gets pretty adult.  Take a deep breath, your day will be here before you know it!!

Hello,

That is good to know about Tricare and Dr. Oh. I will definitely try to make it for the Support Group meeting at Madigan one of these Thursdays. Thanks for the heads up about the kids, that was going to be my next question or if there was another room the kids can play in. Thank you for answering my questions and I'm sure I will learn a lot more at the meetings. Have a great day!

Kimmi