Question:
How far in advance can you get your test completed?

I haven't been in to see the video tapes or doctor who will be preforming my surgery, however I am waiting on my appointment date now. I want to know is it a smart move to schedule appointments with the other doctors and have the tests done that are needed for the surgery before I view the tapes or see the doctor?    — Sexi G. (posted on July 25, 2004)

July 25, 2004
If you mean, do you go to your pcp and get blood work scripts, then get your blood test taken, then I would say wait until your surgeon needs the blood tests done. He will know what exact test he/she will need, the pcp would just be guessing. My surgeon wrote me a script for blood work and I took it to the lab and had my blood test done then, also, I was required to have other testing done, like a EKG, mammogram, yes a mammo for WLS, x-rays and that is what my surgeon needed, yours may need other test done, so I would suggest you wait until you see your surgeon. My surgeons office schedule all of my pre-op testing for the same day. Also, there usually is enough time between seeing the surgeon and the surgery date to get all of your testing done. My surgery was 3 months after I saw the surgeon, and it was the longest 3 months of my life.
   — cindy

July 25, 2004
I'm a pre-op and I was advised by my surgeon not to have the test like blood work and stuff done until I had been approved for the surgery. Some of those test are only good for thirty days, if it takes longer to see the surgeon or takes longer for your insurance approval, those tests may not be any good when it comes time to have the surgery. If you need a psych consult or a dietician/nutrition consult before surgery, I would go ahead and schedule those and attend them.
   — Shayna T.

July 26, 2004
I did it. Once I had my surgeon appointment scheduled I went ahead and had my preop stuff scheduled, the psych consult, dietician visit and pulmonary visit. It definitely helped me get surgery faster.
   — catleth

July 27, 2004
ALERT! Some surgeons have prefered providers, specialists who support surgery. I once had a pulmonary doc tell me WLS wouldnt work, i would gain all the weight back in a year etc. I suggest you at least touch base with your surgeon, having run into a idiot doc its in your best interest to do it right. Imagine getting disapproved by a specialist, and uinsurance refusing to cover another doc, you might have to pay out of pocket:(
   — bob-haller