So now what???
I was finally given the okay that I can get the surgery so what kind of things can I expect to have to do before the surgery date. I honestly don't have any idea of what to expect. When you actually get a surgery date do you just get a call one day and they give you a date. I have an appt scheduled to see the surgeon because I haven't seen him in two years. I was denied twice with my previous insurance and had to wait 6 months because of pre existing with my current insurance. Are there a ton of tests that I can expect? I was given a checklist and it said I needed an inferior vena cava filter which I have no idea what that even is. I just googled it but how in the world does that get placed? lol Can anyone just give me an idea of what happens from approval to surgery date?
BTW I am Ellen, 31 year old mother of a 6 year old son, married for 8 years and I live in SE michigan.
Hi Ellen,
Start out by taking a deep breath. The hardest part of the surgery is just getting there. Who gave you the OK to have the surgery? Do you have a surgeon picked out? What kind of surgery do you want to have? As far as test they vary according to surgeon. Count on blood work, an EKG and with a filter you will probably have to see the surgeon who will put the filter in.
I can only you tell you by my experience so I hope this helps. I weighed over 460 when I started the journey. I made the consultation appointment where you see the surgeon and he does an examination and in my case he told me the clearances that I would have to have before the surgery. I had to see a pulmonary doctor to make sure that I didn't have sleep apnea. I didn't but if you do you might have to do a sleep study. I had to see a cardiologist, my EKG was not normal so I had to have an echocardigram. You might have to have a stress test depending on the outcome of your EKG. I also had to see the vascular surgeon to schedule the filter. Also most insurance companies require a psych eval. I work in the mental health field so that test was nothing. Once I had all the tests finished I received clearance and the surgeon's office set the date. I then had to see the Nutrionist.
About the filter, I went to the hospital and was taken to surgery, give a very light sedative. They put the filter through my groin. It is put in to help stop the path of blood clots. It was a half hour procedure and I stayed overnight only because I was the first surgery (GPS) the next day. I was scheduled for lap RNY but after drilling the holes for lap the surgeon had to open me.
I was not sick when I woke up. I got up and walked a few hours after surgery and went home in 3 days. I am 2 years post op and have lost over 200 lbs.
The process to getting to the surgery day was the hardest part for me. I have a hard time walking and at the size I was just going to the appointments was tiring.
Just take them one at a time. You have come to the right place for support. I have given you a nutshell version based on my experience. If you have any question please feel free to pm me.
Good luck to you and keep us posted.
Jeanne
Start out by taking a deep breath. The hardest part of the surgery is just getting there. Who gave you the OK to have the surgery? Do you have a surgeon picked out? What kind of surgery do you want to have? As far as test they vary according to surgeon. Count on blood work, an EKG and with a filter you will probably have to see the surgeon who will put the filter in.
I can only you tell you by my experience so I hope this helps. I weighed over 460 when I started the journey. I made the consultation appointment where you see the surgeon and he does an examination and in my case he told me the clearances that I would have to have before the surgery. I had to see a pulmonary doctor to make sure that I didn't have sleep apnea. I didn't but if you do you might have to do a sleep study. I had to see a cardiologist, my EKG was not normal so I had to have an echocardigram. You might have to have a stress test depending on the outcome of your EKG. I also had to see the vascular surgeon to schedule the filter. Also most insurance companies require a psych eval. I work in the mental health field so that test was nothing. Once I had all the tests finished I received clearance and the surgeon's office set the date. I then had to see the Nutrionist.
About the filter, I went to the hospital and was taken to surgery, give a very light sedative. They put the filter through my groin. It is put in to help stop the path of blood clots. It was a half hour procedure and I stayed overnight only because I was the first surgery (GPS) the next day. I was scheduled for lap RNY but after drilling the holes for lap the surgeon had to open me.
I was not sick when I woke up. I got up and walked a few hours after surgery and went home in 3 days. I am 2 years post op and have lost over 200 lbs.
The process to getting to the surgery day was the hardest part for me. I have a hard time walking and at the size I was just going to the appointments was tiring.
Just take them one at a time. You have come to the right place for support. I have given you a nutshell version based on my experience. If you have any question please feel free to pm me.
Good luck to you and keep us posted.
Jeanne
Jeanne thanks for the reply and I do agree I am in desperate need of a deep breath.
What I have done thus far is all of the following....
About two years ago I went to the seminar and decided that I liked the surgeon I met there a lot. I got a sleep study and do have sleep apnea. I had the psych clearance and that went fine. My PCP was thrilled at the idea of me getting WLS. All of my paperwork was submitted and I was denied. They said I needed a six month diet first. So I had done a six month diet a few years back so that was submitted and I was denied again because it was not recent enough. So I dropped the whole WLS for a while.
Fast forward to a few months ago. Our family switched to an individual policy through Blue cross. I found out I had to wait 6 months because it is a pre existing condition. I got an addendum to my psych eval and had a new medical clearance with my PCP. My ekg was fine and they did a h pylori blood test. So on Aug 20 my 6 months was up and my surgeons office contacted the insurance company to find out that there is no need for submittal as long as requirements are met. According to my policy if you have a BMI over 50 then you do not have to do a 6 month diet. I of course could not believe it was that easy so I called the insurance company myself and had it confirmed.
So now next week is another meet and greet with the surgeon because I haven't seen him in ages. I have talked to him on the phone a few times though and I still know he is perfect for me. At this point I am getting a laproscopic RNY but I suppose there is always that possibility of it being open.
Honestly my head has been spinning since I found out that I can get this surgery. I don't know what to think at all. My life will change so much I don't know what to expect.
What I have done thus far is all of the following....
About two years ago I went to the seminar and decided that I liked the surgeon I met there a lot. I got a sleep study and do have sleep apnea. I had the psych clearance and that went fine. My PCP was thrilled at the idea of me getting WLS. All of my paperwork was submitted and I was denied. They said I needed a six month diet first. So I had done a six month diet a few years back so that was submitted and I was denied again because it was not recent enough. So I dropped the whole WLS for a while.
Fast forward to a few months ago. Our family switched to an individual policy through Blue cross. I found out I had to wait 6 months because it is a pre existing condition. I got an addendum to my psych eval and had a new medical clearance with my PCP. My ekg was fine and they did a h pylori blood test. So on Aug 20 my 6 months was up and my surgeons office contacted the insurance company to find out that there is no need for submittal as long as requirements are met. According to my policy if you have a BMI over 50 then you do not have to do a 6 month diet. I of course could not believe it was that easy so I called the insurance company myself and had it confirmed.
So now next week is another meet and greet with the surgeon because I haven't seen him in ages. I have talked to him on the phone a few times though and I still know he is perfect for me. At this point I am getting a laproscopic RNY but I suppose there is always that possibility of it being open.
Honestly my head has been spinning since I found out that I can get this surgery. I don't know what to think at all. My life will change so much I don't know what to expect.
It sounds like you have all the hard stuff over with. Just relax. Yes your life will change but it will be for the better. You are a young woman and this will allow you to live your life to the fullest. Just take one step at a time. Ask lots of questions, even if you see it posted a million times. Have you read Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. There is a wealth of information. I think I read all the books and this one was the best.
Travel along the boards, especially your state forum as you might find a buddy who has had the same surgeon. There is a great group on Yahoo that is in digest form. I know that Vitalady answers questions there.
Here is my e-mail address [email protected]. Feel free to pop off any questions.
Jeanne
Travel along the boards, especially your state forum as you might find a buddy who has had the same surgeon. There is a great group on Yahoo that is in digest form. I know that Vitalady answers questions there.
Here is my e-mail address [email protected]. Feel free to pop off any questions.
Jeanne
Welcome Ellen!
I know every doc is different, but here's what mine required:
Nutrition seminar
Endoscopy
Colonoscopy
Mamogram
Pap Smear
EKG
Chest x-ray
ABout 12 tubes of blood work
Stool Sample (ewwww)
Another individual nutritional counselling about post-surgery nutrition
I somehow got out of the endoscopy and colonoscopy. I was just on the edge of them beginning to require it for everyone. I too went through 6 months of dr. supervised weight loss only to be denied because my insurance wrote an exclusion in the policy in between fiscal years.
Good luck!
I know every doc is different, but here's what mine required:
Nutrition seminar
Endoscopy
Colonoscopy
Mamogram
Pap Smear
EKG
Chest x-ray
ABout 12 tubes of blood work
Stool Sample (ewwww)
Another individual nutritional counselling about post-surgery nutrition
I somehow got out of the endoscopy and colonoscopy. I was just on the edge of them beginning to require it for everyone. I too went through 6 months of dr. supervised weight loss only to be denied because my insurance wrote an exclusion in the policy in between fiscal years.
Good luck!
kathsum
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