Question:
How long did it take to get the surgery
I would like to know how long it took to get the surgery from the first visit with the surgeon? I have made an appointment to see Dr. T. Paul Singh, at Albany Medical Center on January 2, 2002. Is there anything I can do now to prepare for the visit? — Marion W. (posted on December 5, 2002)
December 4, 2002
Mine was about 8 weeks from my consult to surgery. Go in knowledgeable
about the surgery types, risks and benefits. Have a list of questions in
front of you. It is better to write it down. I had a whole list of
questions I wanted to ask and I got so excited that I was finally at my
appointment my brain went blank while I was there. Show that you have done
your homework and you are serious.
— Linda A.
December 4, 2002
It all depends on your surgeon, and how long it takes for him to get the
approval from your insurance. To speed up the process, you might want to
have most of your pre-op tests done. Ask your surgeon for all the required
test to be performed on you and get them done. Have the results faxed to
him. That should cut your time to have the surgery in half.
— Luscious1 X.
December 5, 2002
The anwers to this question vary so much because different surgeons work
different ways. I met with my surgeon before I had any other testing at all
and I have noticed that others don't meet their surgeons until after all of
those other doctor,s appointments have been completed. All that said, I
made my first call in early September, had my first consultation on
November 6th and will have surgery on February 10th, 2003. So that is 3
months for me, only 2 months 4 days left but who's counting?
— Carol S.
December 5, 2002
The way it worked for me is, I called in July and made an appointment for
my first Consult. My consult was in August. Then spent the next few
months seeing various specialists and getting tested for everything under
the sun. Surgery is scheduled in 39 days for January 13th!! YAY! (So
that was 5 months from Consult to Surgery date)<p>One thing you can
do now while waiting for your consult is gather all your recent medical
records and have them ready. Any tests you've had done, consultations
you've had with any specialists, or any recent or serious illnesses or
conditions you've had, get those records if you can! The more they know
about your health, the better they can prepare for any complications!
— thumpiez
December 5, 2002
Mine was about 3 months from the initial visit, but I switched doctors.
— Beffy W.
December 5, 2002
I started this process in August of 2002. The second week of August, I saw
and endocrinologist, had my sleep apnea test and saw the dietician. The
second week in October, I saw the psychiatrist, and then had the consult
with the surgeon. It took the endocrinologist 4 weeks to get the letter
written to my insurance company, and only 24 hours for my insurance company
to approve me. I have my surgery in exactly 2 weeks. So, all in all, it
only took about 3.5 months from starting this quest to the end. I can't
wait!
— Kellie T.
December 5, 2002
It took about 1 year for me to have my surgery date set. I wanted a
specific doctor and there was a waiting list. Then when I saw the person
who did the psychological evaluation she reccommended therapy. I was newly
divorced. I did that for 4 months and I am very very thankful.
— Rachel R.
December 5, 2002
I forgot to add to my earlier post that when I saw the surgeon I was
prepared with a written list of questions. He answered most of them before
I asked them. I also had a complete diet history and a letter to "whom
it may concern" with a summary of the diet history and a family
history. It was kind of like: I believe that I am a good candidate for Wls
because..... I don't need a doctor's referal so this was in place of that.
If you need a PCP referral you might try to get that ahead of time too. The
surgeon was very happy that I had done that because it was really all he
needed me to do other than getting my pre op testing done. Good Luck!!! :)
— Carol S.
December 5, 2002
Hi, I'm still pre-op, but I called for my consult in late July 2002, got an
appointment for Novemeber, had my sleep study a few weeks ago, my pre-op
testing next Monday, and then surgery in mid-March, 2003. Like someone
posted earlier though, it will really depend on where you live, the
surgeon, etc. My opinion, for what it is worth, is to let the process
unfold as it will and not to rush it. This is a very serious surgery, with
very real risks. Research, research, research and even do some therapy
while you are waiting. We have plenty of issues that got us to this point,
so we might as well begin to work on the part that is ours before we
actually get the tool to help us. This way, we may be a bit ahead of the
game or at least not as suprised by the impact of the surgery on our lives.
Best of luck to you. Robin
— rebalspirit
December 5, 2002
It depends on the surgeon's schedule (how far booked in advance is he?),
your insurance, what/how many pre-op tests the doctor requires...for me, it
was one month from first visit to surgery. My surgeon had a light schedule
then, and now he is at around 2 months, I believe. Why don't you call his
receptionist and ask how far out he has booked surgeries?
— Cindy R.
December 5, 2002
I was about 2 months from consult date (10/11/002) to surgery date
12/09/02). Since there are so many variables due to surgeons, hospitals,
insurance, testing, etc. it is hard to measure one's experience against
another's. I looked up my insurance, my surgeon and tried to make a rough
estimate. I anticipated mid to late December so I was about right on.
Good Luck to you.
— Pat B.
December 6, 2002
According to patients that I've spoken with, and the packet that I was
given, both Dr Singh and Dr Rosati require that you lose 10% of your weight
before you have the surgery.The packet from the department of Nutrition has
a list of 4 things that need to be done before they will refer you to the
surgeons: (1) lose the 1st 10% of your weight (2)speak with at least 3
patients on their support list of patients who have had the surgery
(3)attend at least 1 or 2 support meetings (held on Thursday eves from
6-8), and quit tobbacco. I'm in the process of losiing the 1st 10%, and am
trying to quit smoking(the 1st quitting script I was given I was allergic
to...go figure-lol.) I've attended 1 of the support group mtgs, and I want
to go again. If you'd like, you can email me back@ [email protected]
(please put wls in the subject line so I don't make a mistake and delete
it) Good luck on your journey...((hugs)) Vera
— vwbear
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