Did anyone else have to go thru this?
Initial Consult
Full Blood Work-up
Abdominal Ultrasound
Chest X-ray
Upper GI
EKG
Pulmonary Function Test
Sleep Study
Medical Clearance from Primary Doc
3 Months of Weight Management (documented by my surgeon)
Psych Consult
Nutrition Class
Support Group (at least 1 visit)
I started in November of 2013 and my surgery is scheduled for March 18th 2104.
on 2/17/14 3:30 am
Different here in Alberta, just had to be referred to the surgeon by my doctor. Requirement for Alberta Health Care is 40-55 bmi, 30 with co-morbidities such as diabetes..etc. Only process for me after that was, education class with dieticians (4hrs), they take you through all the before and after. Then the consult with the surgeon...he makes the decision based on a few questions whether he believes you are a good candidate.
After that is done, just the normal pre-op stuff, blood work (2weeks before surgery), respiratory check (2 days before surgery).
Other programs in Alberta are different, but mine was very simple. :)
I had to:
1. Attend a two hour seminar
2. Initial visit with surgeon and blood work
3. 6 visits with a nutritionist ( I was lucky the insurance company accepted 3 from last year
4. Visit a Cardiologist
5. Psych evaluation
6. Primary doctor clearance
7. Endoscopy with biopsy
8. Prop test, another cardiogram, more blood work
My surgery is scheduled for March 5. I started the process in September 2013.
Best of luck!
They should take that many. But some people don't get many labs done post op, unfortunately.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Hi CHris,
ok so I'm gonna make a list of what I had to do.....
1. Call my insurance company and make sure the surgery was covered 100%, and what they needed in order to have the surgery.
2. I needed a letter from my PCP showing that her and I discussed the surgery and it seems to be the best route and she is giving her permission and support. In this letter she had to give in detail all my failed attempts of dieting, exercising etc.... She then had to submit it to the insurance company.
3. My PCP referred me to a bariatric doctor for an appt.
4. Bari doc said your insurance requires you to have a bmi over 40, if not you have to have two medical conditions related to your weight that is detrimental. My bmi was 38 but I had sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and my blood sugar was creeping up! Doctor accepted me as his patient and called insurance company saying I qualify. Ins said ok, next step....
5. Insurance required a psy evaluation. Saw the psy doc, he asked simple questions like is anyone forcing you to do this, do you know what type of surgery is this, married, single, y do you want the surgery...... Basically he wants to make sure your not being forced, your not anorexic , and you realize they cut your stomach and you have to change your eating habits. After the interview I did have to take a test that was 300 questions like do you love your mother, do you cry a lot blah blah blah...
6. I then had to attend two bariatric meetings, they were one hour each.
7. I had to get my vitamin d level up, not sure if this was a doctor thing or insurance thing. Anywho they call you in. A script and I took it and mine went up.
8. Oh yeah if u smoke... Quit!!!!!!!!! A min of 8 weeks you have to be smoke free, and oh yes I was sent to be tested for nicotine.
9. I had to have a gallbladder and a liver scan. I went to the hospital and they did it.
10. Insurance wanted me to lose at least 10% of my body weight before surgery! which is not a big deal cause 2 weeks before surgery you are on a liquid diet. If you need to lose 50 lbs or more let's say, then your on the liquids for anywhere up to 5 weeks. At this point your so close to surgery , you stick it out.
The finale...... Surgery !!!!!!!!!!
xoxoxoxo
