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
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