Question:
will it be faster if I see the Phychologists and nutritionists before my first dr app
I go to the doctor in 3 weeks I was wondering if I should get things moving a lil faster seeing the other doctors before the first appt? — Lilmeme (posted on July 16, 2007)
July 16, 2007
I don't think it would get things moving faster. I had to see all 3 Doctors
in one day. They told me it would be Approx 21 days before I would hear
back from them. But, I guess it all depends on your insurance and how the
doctor's schedules are. I had to travel for 2 hours just to meet with my
DRs.
— Kenipela05
July 16, 2007
I would wait until you see your doctor. When I went to my doctor the first
time and they had to set my appointments up with different doctors, I asked
could I see these doctors in my area. He said it would be best to use the
doctors he used because they know how to write it up to the insurance
companies so they will pay.
— barfiep01
July 16, 2007
I think that it would be ok to see your PCP for your first weigh in for
your insurance. (it is usually required that your PCP weighs you monthly
for the 6 months prior to surgery) I think it helps to move things along a
little.
— Tabitha M.
July 16, 2007
Because every insurence and surgeon is different I would call and ask the
surgeon's office if you can do this. It may take you PCP refering you to
the other docs.
My insurence required I complete the dietary, psych, sleep specialist,
cardiology testing a 6 month weigh-in, and a 6-month dietary counseling
before I could even be approved to go to the surgeon. It was frustraiting,
but now I have finally receive the approval to go to the surgeon I only
have the EGD to do. My insurence case worker told me once they refer you
to the surgeon and he recommends the surgery the approval for surgery is
pretty much a done deal.
The surgeon's office should know what will work best because this is whaat
they do.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 16, 2007
This is true, The Clinic I go to had their people they refer you to. But I
asked if I could chose my own since the Clinic is 45 min. away, They said
sure. But let me tell you I wish sometimes, I went with their referals, The
dietician I went to.I had seen her 2x already and I still dont have the
paper work I need b/c she is new at it, yes she was only 25.00 the clinics
were 80-100 $ but I feel like I'm lossing time I am still waiting on her
just to submitt to insurance co. I cant until she types up a summary of our
visit and she only works Wed @ Thur. So I'm still waiting as it goes,
— sabrina S.
July 16, 2007
use the docs your surgeon refers you too! others may be unsupportive for
various reasons or plain try to preventy you from getting surgery. Like me
you were likely MO a lifetime, and getting surgery takes time. Really thats
a good things it weeds out those who arent really devoted to doing it
right.
— bob-haller
July 16, 2007
Wait until you see your surgeon. They may have a list of physicians that
they will provide. These are physicians they work with all the time.
— the7thdean
July 16, 2007
Thank you all for your answers that really helped me out?
— Lilmeme
July 16, 2007
I did everything possible before my first visit, so I say yes, do what you
can. I only needed a gallbladder test and an upper gi for approval, did
all my psy studies, did my nutritionist stuff, got 2 years records for
them, etc. Did everything, and turned in a binder to them of medical stuff
for them. It went quite quickly for me, hope so for you too. Take care.
Patricia P.
— Patricia P
July 17, 2007
I took action on my own initiative to see a psychologist. I think this
helped to move me through the qualification process faster than it
otherwise would have taken. You'll probably have to get referrals from your
primary care physician or your prospective surgeon for other preliminy
testing, e.g., upper GI and lower GI exams. I also was required to go to a
cardiologist determine the viability of my heart for major, elective
surgery. My lower GI exam was done with ultrasound and I also would have
needed a proctoscopy had I not already had one recently (which I had). If
you are REALLY serious about turning your life around, starting with
bariatric surgery, "take the bull by the horns", as they say and
<<make things happen for yourself!>>. Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
July 18, 2007
Check with your insurance company for what they require, you might have to
have a sleep study (you can get that out of the way as soon as possible) I
think on everything else it is best to work with your surgeon's preferences
(maybe you can get that list ahead of time (my surgeon's list was on his
website) good luck I started 5/15/2007 and have my surgery date of
8/16/07.
— Susan_Staton
July 18, 2007
I'd either wait until after the appointment or at least call the surgeon
beforehand to make sure s/he doesn't require you to see a specific
nutritionist or psych person. There may also be certain topics and issues
to be covered in those appointments and someone who is not affiliated with
your surgeon may not cover it....would hate to see you have to go twice and
waste money. Good luck to you.
— mrsidknee
July 19, 2007
My doctor scheduled me for the nutritionist, psych & tests that needed
to be done prior. Usually it's not done until you are closer to your goal
if you are told like me to lose 10% prior to surgery. I did see a
nutritionist early on since I could not stop eating since I was on the
"last hurrah". This was very helpful and she went over my eating
habits after the my procedure (gastric bypass). Good luck!
— LornaZB
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