starting out

Hi all you brave souls out there... I'm just starting my journey..I have an appt with a surgeon Oct 8th and I was told it would be for 2 hours..what do they do for 2 hours? I spoke with my insurance co directly and they said all I need is a Dr's prior authorization and most would be covered. I have started to buy some food items to check out which tasted the best and locally available so I can stock up if indeed I get this surgery. I would like anyone's recommendations or comments on what to expect and little things like when do you start a liquid diet pre-op? Do you know what would slow up my journey? Is the Psych evaluation a given? What do they look for? All is new to me.  Thanks everyone, Alice

Hi there!!  I can only tell you my experience..which has been lengthy.  I too was told by my insurance that all I needed was my Dr.s authorization...and ended up wasting over a month thinking that.  When I finally got someone who knew what they were talking about on the phone I discovered that I needed tons of other stuff including but not limited to a psych eval, cardiac eval, h-pylori ruled out, pulmonary function test, nutrition eval, 3 month MD supervised diet, etc.  My insurances list is much more lengthy than my surgeons list whi*****luded a 3 month supervised diet, 2 week diet log, psych eval, visit to the nutrionalist, exercise eval.  Ask your insurance to fax you their actual check off list if they have one.  Then you'll know for sure. I think the psych eval is pretty much a given anymore.  It was not a big deal...I met with her twice and she decided I wasn't nuts..LOL.  She spent more time asking me about family relationships and gave me a bunch of questionairs to fill out.  Another little goodie I found along the way is that although my insurance covers my surgery at 90 percent...they refuse to cover ANY of the pre-op requirements that they set up for in order for the surgery to be done.  My biggest recommendation is get all your ducks in a row and keep them there the best you can.  It's all going to be worth it in the end.  And try not to get discouraged! Good luck!

Hello, Alice, and welcome, I too am starting the journey I live in IL, not to far from you, I had my two hours consult, and at mine I met with the surgeon, and other staff, going over everything, I had to have a psyh eval, and also have to have a dietary consult and that is for the Ins. com. I am still working on the other thing my dr.wants me to have done, but that is up to your dr. what else he would require . good luck

Hi Alice!! welcome to our little slice of heaven( everyone here are angels).   I'm 3 months post op and did some of the same things you are doing: Stocked up on the foods I would need, made all my appt., got things for my liquid diet... and I was totally not ready AT ALL!!!!   I found out that the liquid diet is what they tell you to drink, the stocking up for after surgery things like protein and foods you can have well that don't work because your taste changes soooooooo much. Example:  I used to love chocolate any kind now it tastes nasty, I can't eat milk products because I am lactose intolerant, and things that taste good now may taste different later. Please keep this in mind as noone told me this til it was to late. I hope this helps. As for your 2 hour appt. they run alot of tests and ask alot of questions, Just be your self and tell the truth. If you have any questions feel free to E mail me at [email protected].                 Marie