Went to the seminar whats next?

So I recently went to a weight loss seminar. The doctor said I was a candidate. I am thinking about the sleeve. I have to see a psychiatrist on Friday. So what happens after that? Is there someplace here that explains all of the steps before surgery? Anyway, thanks for your help. I'm finally going through with this after many years of thinking about it and putting it off its time.

plan 1

a lot depends on your insurance , some  you need a referral from your primary care doctor

 then you make an appointment with your surgeons office

 most insurance require a 6 month supervised  diet 

 almost all surgeon require that you are tobacco  free and will give you a blood test to check 

 then after you see the surgeon you need to go for a bunch of tests , blood work, cardiologist, physical therapist, gastroenterologist for a endoscope( I added a colonoscopy to be safe my hubby had cancer )

this whole process  can take 8-10 months but people that go through with it usually do better 

plan 2   you go self pay in Mexico and can get it done in 2-3 weeks

 some only do a blood test the day before

 but there is little or no support with most of these surgeons   support groups are very important for long term success

 also many doctors in the USA will not see you if you had surgery in Mexico and health and life insurance can be a problem

Thank you for the info. I'll be doing it locally. So I guess after my visit with the shrink Friday I'll call and see what they want me to do next if anything. 

Hi Jason,

Not every program is the same. A lot of it really depends on your insurance and their requirements along with the surgeon's requirements.

I had to attend a welcome group first. I had a bunch of blood work done, an EKG, and a body composition test. I then had individual appointments with a psychologist, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, and dietician. The nurse practitioner ordered a sleep study which I completed about a month ago. I then had a consultation with the surgeon. My surgeon requires an upper endoscopy which she did 2 weeks ago. My insurance requires a 6-month weight management program so I have all of those appointments set-up. They are once a month for about 90 minutes in a group setting. My insurance also requires you to be enrolled with them for 24 consecutive months which for me is July 1st. It will be perfect timing since I will have my monthly appointments completed by then.

I have all of my pre-op tests done and all of my appointments done except for the monthly weight management group. I started the whole process the first week in January. My work is pretty flexible so I've been able to come in late or leave early to get all of my appts taken care of and then just make my time up throughout the rest of the week. I'm hoping for surgery in July or August.

I've seen people post a variety of different pre-op requirements. Your insurance company is probably the first place to start so you know what they expect.

Best of luck to you.

Nichole

Thank you Nichole!

Hi Jason,  As others have said, every WLS program is a bit different.  I was referred to the WLS program by my pcp, in early February.  I went to the info meeting, along with some who came without a referral.  With the referral, I was able to start the process then and there.  After the info session, we attended a support group meeting.  I then had appointments, later that month, for group meetings with the NUT and then with a PT.  I had to have my psych testing next, and then they scheduled a consult with the surgeon.  Once I'd seen the surgeon, they called me with a date.  My info session was in early March, and I finally saw the surgeon in mid June, so a little over three months.  I believe I also saw the NUT, individually, twice after that, and I think the insurance approved in July.  My surgery was scheduled for 8/1, but due to medical issues, I ended up having it on 8/22.  So, from the info meeting to surgery, it was almost six months.  It seems like a long time, but this is a big decision and that time, in addition to all of the appointments, etc., was also a time for me to process to make sure I was ready.  Good luck!

Insurance companies have their requirements. They all vary somewhat. Check with yours.

Surgeons have their own requirements, and THEY all vary. I've heard of everything under the sun. What folks in the posts above mentioned are some of the most common requirements, but there can be a bunch of others, or even less.

Thanks so much aging for the info its very helpful.