Testing?

I'm all confused..

Before surgery I had to do lots of testing! EKG, cardiac echo, ultrasound, endoscopy, and bloodwork. I know other people have had to do more like sleep studies and stuff.

But I belong to a group for Moms that have had Gastric Bypass (different website) and I can not believe the amount of posts I read where testing is not happening. One lady was approved and ready for surgery in less than a month. Another one said her first seminar is tomorrow and surgery will be at the beginning of March. HUH??

I have to say as much as a pain in the ass it was to wait ...and wait some more...I'm SO glad I went through all of it because that is a MAJOR surgery. Why would someone not want to go through tests? Better yet, why would a surgeon not make their patients go through it?

Did anyone here not have to do testing?

I went through Kaiser... testing hell.. Plus 10% weightloss required before consideration.

But I have a lot of friends that went from "oh I think I want surgery" to having it and done in a month... It depends on the program/insurance you have.

I went through Kaiser (and am an employee of Kaiser) and it was seven months from my orientation to my surgery date. I had testing, required classes, psych interview, class with dietician, was STRONGLY encouraged to attend bi-monthly support groups (which I think are crucial and I still go to the preop and postop groups). Since I had low co-morbidities (current diseases going on), the only medical testing I had was the normal for any surgery, chest x-ray and blood work. I also had to show I was practicing the lifestyle changes that I would need to after surgery which, of course, resulted in weight loss. I lost 53 pounds before surgery.

But I am grateful that I had that seven months. I'm get worried for those who don't have any time to get ready for this HUGE life-altering journey. I'm sorry when people see the surgery as the goal and not just another step in the life-long process. The surgery is just a tool and we have to learn to use that tool for long-term success. I'm not saying that people can't be successful without the long prep time before surgery but I'm grateful I had it.

Brook,
Most insurance carriers have a rigorous testing requirement to validate if a person qualifies for the surgery. There are established guidelines which are set to make the determination fair based on  the criteria.

They are also the method by which a surgeon verifies that youare a healthy candidate that will be successful. I would question a surgeon *****quires no testing. I know my surgeon sees your success as a testimony of the success of his program. He does not want a person out there that is a failure and not a good candidate.
 Tom

Here in maryland, I know with the Federal BCBS there is no waiting period and they require no tests.  it really is up to the surgeon to order the tests.  I would be afraid of any surgeon who didn't require any testing.......at the very LEAST an EGD and a full blood panel.  I would hate to think that a surgeon would fly blindly into someone's body without knowing anything medically about them.

i think one of the keys is whether you are covered by insurance or not. my insurance did not cover the surgery, so i had to pay out of pocket.

my surgeon did require a bunch of tests, but i had no trouble scheduling them, which i did with my regular doc so that insurance would at least cover the tests (part of an extensive well-woman exam). my doctor didn't require that i lose weight before surgery, however i put myself on a diet beforehand and lost about 20 lbs.

my consult was in late june or early july, and if i hadn't had scheduling conflicts, i could have had the surgery as early as the first week of august. he was on vacation the last two weeks of august, so i scheduled the surgery for mid-september.

sal