Lab work ????

When you are post op I am three months, what lab work needs to be done? What are they looking or testing for? I go on the 12th to my primary and she wants to do some lab work....What should I be looking for or requesting???? Peace and Prayers.. Ann

Hi Ann! I'm almost three months out myself. My doctor is looking for your basic lab work, cholesterol and all that junk. He mainly looking for your calcium level, protein and B12 level. You should call your surgeons office and ask them to write you a script with what they want done. I'd like to hide under a chair too!! Good Luck! Ashley

Just basic lab work. It should be a FASTING blood work so don't eat or drink before you go. Same as they did pre-op. You probably won't know anything until yo go back to your surgeon for your next visit. It takes three days to get the results and your PCP faxes them to your surgeon after he looks at them. Good luck!!! I'll have mine the first of next month. They can tell if you've been a good little girl!!!

Well we know the truth huh...... Well are you enjoying your snow??? How are you feeling? Email me.... Hugs.... Ann

Ann, Some practices may also other things, like bloodwork to check your kidney, liver enzyme, and thyroid functions, depending on what they want to follow with you in particular. If there is anything that you are concerned about, let your PCP know so they will go ahead and check for that, too. Since you're already poked, you might as well get the whole workup, which is what I do. Information is power, eh? Email me or call me, Ann! Hugs, Donna Earley http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NC_WLS_Information_and_Support/

Ms_Jan, I have BCBS of MN. They did not require me to have a 12 month supervised diet. I had been started on a low calorie diet about 1 month prior to my first visit to the surgeon's office. Unfortunately, I can not tell you how much they took that into consideration. If you need to have WLS, the insurance company will do what they can to get you approved if possible. I found it helpful to find a customer service rep and just continued to request that person when I called in. I hope your quest to get approved is swift and you do well in surgery. God Bless, NancyDS

I have BCBS PPO of NC and they did not require 12 months. I was told they are changing their criteria in August.... maybe you state is just ahead? If you have a department on insurance there I would try contacting them and see what they say. You should be able to call BCBS and get the COMPLETE list of their criteria for approval. Any surgeon in your area should also know what they can use to subsitiute for certian things.

That is AWESOME!!!.... congratulations! ~ Monica

I would be excited tooo....you go Robin!!!!!!! I hope I have the same success at my Meeting tomorrow..... Lea Lewis

Robin, Congradulations !!! That was a great turn out. You might want to check with a church, firehouse or anything in your area that is community orinated for a place to meet. I meet at a volunteer fire company and they don't charge me. Good luck and keep up the good job. See you lighter. Joanne