Question:
What can you expect from first visit with the bariatric surgeons.

I had an appointment with my PCM today and he is setting up a consult with the Bariatric department at the hospital. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of what to expect from first hand experience. I don't know if it will make a difference that I am going through the military's health care system.    — hooahwife78 (posted on April 5, 2007)

April 5, 2007
during my first visit we discussed bmi, surgery options (open vs laparoscopic, lap band vs rny) risk and benefits of surgery and what my preferences were. i also had an overview of post-op care and needs and visited with nutritionist. mostly a first visit is like a personal orientation to the program, take any questions and concerns you have. good luck - fluffy.
   — Fluffy W.

April 5, 2007
My first visit was prettymuch the same. Most times before your visit they may require you to go through a seminar on WLS. At that seminar my surgeon gave us paperwork to have filled out prior to our appt. The first consult was nice. It is your chance to see if you like the surgeon and to ask a ton of questions. They take your weight , bmi, and medical history, get your insurance info so they know what you will have to do for them inorder to get approved. for example six month supervised diet etc. At that appt my surgeons office then scheduled a bunch of pre op testing. which i then came back at a later date to do... Take all your questions and remember there are no stupid ones. The only stupid question is one you didn't ask. ;o) Knowledge is power. I think on this site there is a list of questions for your surgeon. I will try and find it and post the link. Good Luck
   — michelemcd

April 5, 2007
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/information/wlsjourney/preparing+for+consult.php
   — michelemcd

April 6, 2007
Jennifer, you are wise to research and do what you can to be informed. You will be your best resource for decisions during this process. You can do a few things. Some people go to an informational meeting that most hospitals put on once a month. At our hospital, it is required to go to this meeting before a meeting with the surgeon. It saves the staff and surgeon time in explaining the basics. I am military and used tricare for my insurance, and they were great for me. I was able to get the laproscopic procedure, but I don't think they approve that anymore, so you may have to have the open procedure. I was glad I had it done my way. Anyway you can attend meetings to get information, there are plenty of books out there about weight loss surgery, just go to amazon.com or another bookstore and put weight loss surgery as the subject, and there are books that are very good to read, both informational and testimonies of those who went through it. This is usually want people do first. For me, when I did my research (and knowing I had 6 months to wait for an appt with my surgeon), I read books, and found what tests they wanted in advance (diabetes blood check, regular blood tests, ultrasound of my gallbladder, chest xtra, sleep study, etc). I made my list and got them done before my first appt. I also requested the last two years of my medical records for the surgeon, they wanted those as well. I made a spread sheet of all the diet and exercise plans I had tried and joined the base weight loss system to prove I was still trying. I did all this well before I saw the surgeon for the first time. I stopped drinking caffine and soda before I saw my surgeon, again to prove I am willing to work now for restults and prove that I am ready for changes in my life. All of this worked for me, and when they saw my case (I had all tests in hand when I visited my surgeon and a 3 ring binder with my records and test results for her, it helped them a lot, and submitted me for surgery right away. I then called Tricare every week after submission to follow up with them as to how long it would take, did they need any other info, etc., and in two weeks I had approval instead of 6 weeks. Being pro active really helps. You have a lot to do, it is a matter of how organized and how important this is to you. The first step though is to study the program and see if the changes are really for you. This is not a miracle, it is a tool. You need support, and those who attend support group have a greater chance of taking and keeping weight off. Are you really serious? Prove that by what you do. You don't owe me anything, but you really owe it to yourself to prove to yourself that this is what you really want, and the fruit of that will prove to a surgeon who has never seen you before that you are serious, and to tricare that you are willing to take control and responsibility for your own actions and decisions. These are all good steps in your direction. Even if you go through all this and in the end decide it is not for you, you can step out at any time. No one will make you have surgery, and you will have a broader scope of your health at this time in your life. My journey is on my profile page, feel free to read and ask questions. Tricare was very good for the surgery, but lousy in skin removal. What Tricare does approve, they do well, when they won't help you, they are stubborn and mean. For them, BMI, health issues and past diet plans will be the key, for your sugeon, it will be their observation of how you are organized and ask questions and let them know what research you have done. Hope this helps. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P