Pre-op procedure. Is this usual?

I love reading everybody's stories here, but I have a question about pre-op procedure.  I see that a lot of people had to do a lot of different tests, from upper GI's to psyche exams.  But during my own pre-op, all I had to do was what was required by the insurance company.  I had to see a nut for six months.  That's all.  I think I took some sort of breathing test in the beginning, but besides that, nothing.  No psyche exams, no upper GI's, no stress tests...  Nothing.  He never even did any lab work on me.  Then, afterward, there was no filter (my doctor never used them.)  In fact, both before and after, the process seemed a little too easy.  Is this normal?  What battery of tests did y'all have to go through?  I'm just wondering why my doctor never even mentioned these tests to me that I would have never known about had I never visited these boards.  I mean, I wasn't exactly the picture of health.

Just wondering,

Chris

Well you're lucky then I guess! Obviously things worked our wonderfully well for you, congratulations! I been trying to get WLS since I was 16, weighing about 390lbs..  Back then I had to see a psychiatrist about emotional eating but we stopped that when Insurance coldly denied me. We tried many times after that, appealing it, looking for other companies but nothing happened for me and finally I was 19 years old weighing 556lbs.. and bleh. My grandmother gave my mom the money to get me WLS.. That was in Sept 07.. Oddly enough there was still so many tests and we wern't even doing Insurance. But I was 556lbs so maybe that's why. Stress Test, Sleep Studies, Stomach Scope (Sticking a camera down in me to check for things) and I think something else but I forget.. Maybe just blood work. I dunno, but yeah.

Now I weigh 325 and unfortunatly I am stuck there.. I need help but I don't have anyone, any friends.. and it's hard doing this on my own.. I really wish I could get to where you are, ya know.. You were 380 and 2 years later you look amazing! It's just "Wow!" looking at your pictures ^^

Jesse... 556 to 325 is AWESOME! I know we all want to keep going, but look at what you've accomplished so far.  I know how you feel about the plateau, I've been stuck for quite a while now too, and I want to see the scale go down some more as well. 

As for all the pre-op stuff, I had to do what the insurance required, which was a 3 month supervised diet/exercise program, as well as a psych exam.

On top of that, my Dr had me do a lot of other stuff, Upper GI, stress tests, etc... they were a pain in the ass, but it's over now, and well worth it!

Thanks. ^^ It's just most people get the surgery because they're around my current weight.. So I feel very stuck and alittle pissed since I tried getting the surgery when I was 16 at 390lbs.. If I had done it then, I'd be in a better place right now.. Mostly I just feel stuck.. If Icould lose 175 more pounds I'd be at my goal.. Which is 150, but that's the PERFECT goal.. 200 would be good too..  I think to myself I should just exercise at home, and sometimes I do, I don't know why but it's just hard to do and remind myself and make it happen.

I read your story previously, Jesse, and isn't is disheartening when an entity that's supposed to be in business to preserve our health turns out to be more worried about the bottom line?  But I am glad that things did work out for you.  And I understand it's difficult knowing how much additional weight you gained, but, hey, that's not the issue now.  It's all about where you are at this point, and that's 200 pounds from your highest.

I don't think my doctor was being wreckless not giving me the tests, just assuming I was healthy.  He's a reputed doctor (although a bit ****y) who has performed over 2500 surgeries.  And I know of others in his office who did have to all those tests.  I thought for sure he'd at least have me see a psychiatrist.

I got my surgery through Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles.  The pre-op tests included:

1> Interview and approval from Social Worker.
2> Interview and approval from Nutritionist
3> Physical and approval from Surgeon.
4> Camera down your throat and into your stomach
5> Sonograms of the stomach
6> Barium Xrays of Stomach
7> Cardio-stress test
8> Blood tests
9> Pre-surgery education class with an RN on what to expect before, during and after the surgery.
10> Attendence at a couple of the support group sessions before surgery.

I got held up a few steps on the way due to all the tests, but I don't regret any of the steps.  The educational materials that they made me read were REALLY helpful post surgery, too.

Oh, yeah...  I had to do the support group thing, too.  Support groups have never really been my thing, but I was required to go (along with a little slip that had to be signed...  It was like I was going on a field trip in the third grade.)  They were really supportive of each other, but most were much older than me and we couldn't really relate to each other.  But to those who do like support groups, more power to you.   Whatever works for you.

I had to have
Psych exam
6 month Dr. supervised diet
Endoscopy to make sure no ulcers
I also had to have a nuclear stress test, but that's not the norm.

Hey Chris,

My experience is more like yours. I went to a large group introductory seminar with one of the surgeons (switched to O'Malley because my original choice (Boss) must have had cancer - he died last December only in his early 40's). I had to do 3 or 4 nutritionist appointments over 4-6 months and a psychological evaluation.  They did routine bloodwork and EKG pre-operatively, with thyroid level, but nothing else.   I then met with the surgeon and had my surgery scheduled within weeks.  Of course, the whole process still took over a year!   No scoping, stress test, filter etc.  I had my gastric bypass at a Center of Excellence that does 14-20 weight loss surgeries per week. 

Meg

P.S. Your current avatar picture is really, really cute!