Question:
What are the

Hi there! I have been approved for surgery thru Pacific Bariatrics of San Diego (yaay!!!!). I am going to the mandatory lecture soon, but I keep hearing about these three appointments you have to go to. Does anyone know what they involve? How long do these take to get done with ? Do you get a surgery date after completing these visits? I am so excited. I hope some of you can enlighten me about what may be in store for me know. (I have waited over a year for approval.....I am sooooo chuffed!!)    — Katie E. (posted on June 12, 2002)

June 12, 2002
Hi Katie, I am also having surgery at Pacific. Your appointments will consist of a quick surgeon consult, a phsyc consult and internal medicine doc consult. I started at 9:00 and was done by 11:00. Each appointment took me earlier than scheduled and before I knew it I was back on the plane home. My surgery date scheduling is on hold, however routine scheduling is done about two weeks later. At the lecture you will get tons of information and have an opportunity to ask lots of questions to both a surgeon and clerical staff. Take a spouse or anyone else who is concern with you having WLS. They too will get their concerns answered. Best wishes. See you in San Diego!!!
   — ERICK B.

June 12, 2002
Hi, I just got back from San Diego last week and everything went smooth. I started at 9:15 and finished about 3:00 but I had a lunch break in between. If you have to see the Phyc doctor on front street my advice to you is to take a cab, it is very hard to find. My surgury will be with Dr. Tanaka,My insurance Approved me in less than 4 hours. Good luck and god bless.
   — Lisa W.

June 12, 2002
Hi there, I also am getting my surgery through Pacific Bariatrics If all goes well. First I went to the 2 hour lecture. And got all the pre op paper work.It has all the instructions of what you need to do. After the lecture I went to my PCP and Got a referral from her. There she sent it to my insurance. I got approved for the first 2 appointments which consist of a Psyche Evaluation, and You talk to the surgeon. After these 2 appts. Which you will have on the same day. Pacific will send out another approval to your insurance to see the internist. I was approved for that the same day they submitted it. I am seeing the internist today . After this last Appointment if all goes will they will send another referal to your insurance for the surgery. So you still have some approvals that need to be done through your insurance . Once all this is done you have a surgery date. I started all this in April. Thats including the lecture. So its only been couple month process so far. Pacific is really on the ball when it comes to getting you approved. What insurance do you have by the way? I have Tricare Prime. I'm surprised I have had such a smooth sail thus far. Good luck to you... Jenn
   — jkbuckner51