New here

Hi everyone! I am new here and after lurking on the boards decided to join. I have had a very up and down battle with weight loss and gain. I had actually lost 70 pounds on my own but due to migraines, birth control, and hypothyroidism I have gained all but 5 pounds back. It took me over 2 years to lose it and less than a year to gain it all back. Anyways, I have decided to have surgery. I met with my primary doctor today and he agreed and is setting me up with a Bariatric surgeon. I thought it would be a few days before I heard anything but they actually called me back today and said I have an appointment this Friday!! I am not sure what all it will entail, so any advice is greatly appreciated. 

I am only 5'1 and my weight as of this morning was 224. I have tried several courses of Phentermine, my fitness pal, and weigh****chers. My body just seems to like holding on to everything. Even after losing... This was a hard decision to make but one I am happy about. How long does the process usually take until a surgery date is given? I am nervous and excited all in one. I know I still need to meet with nutritionist and have a psych eval. So is it odd that I am meeting with the surgeon already?  

Congradulations on your decision.  For me it was the insurance that was the determining factor.  BC/BS needed me on a medically supervised weight loss program for 6 months and I also have to be psycologically evaluated and meet with nutritionis multiple time.  I went to a seminar on January 25th and had the surgry on Sepetember 23rd.  Lost 19 pounds before the procedure and 42 pounds since.  Just stick with it, its a process.  I couldn't be happier with my results.  Good Luck!

Hi Jenna, welcome 

I don't think you'll be meeting the surgeon on Friday, more than likely his nurse to evaluate if you are a candidate for WLS.  I would think the length of the process depends on your current health, what tests your Dr. and insurance require, if your lab work is okay.. etc. I've seen people say it's taken them close to a year, others within 6 months and a few are put through quicker due to health issues. 

Sorry I haven't been more help, but I am sure someone with more experience than me will reply :) 

Good Luck!

Hi Jenna, & welcome to the boards!

I don't think it's odd to meet with the surgeon already. He probably wants to go over the surgery, pre & post op requirements, maybe check your insurance & their requirements., & to be sure if this is the surgery you want or a different one like the rny, ds etc. He'll want your medical history, ask about diets & how has weight loss been for you in the past, & get info from your pcp(primary care physician) I'm generalizing as every surgeon is different as to what they'll talk about, you'll find out soon enough!

As to how long it'll take, that also varies. Is wls covered by your insurance? Every policy varies & you might have to jump thru a few hoops b4 you actually get the surgery. For example you might have to have a dr supervised weight loss documented diet for 4 to 6 months, or maybe your policy won't have that requirement, you really have to check with them, unless you pay out of pocket, generally then you'd only have to do the surgeon requirements for surgery, such as a liquid diet/no eating/drinking the night b4 surgery. All these things should be discussed with him. Good luck, will save you a seat on the losers bench!

Thank you all for your replies. All of the things I have tried is all written down with my pcp as well so he has all the notes of my weigh****chers journey and he is the one that prescribed the Phentermine as well. That makes sense that it may just be the nurse then. I still have to do the seminar and all as well. My insurance does cover wls, my PCP has already checked and the surgeon he sent me to also accepts my insurance. My PCP thinks that all of my documentation that he has of me trying to lose the weight will satisfy the diet program requirement. He also said if they need him to write a letter of rec' that he will. 

I also tried phentermine via my primary care doc and it did fulfill the requirements for six consecutive months of doc-supervised weight loss attempts. My doc sent clinical notes from my file for six months of visits to the surgeon's insurance specialist to send along with the insurance approval. My primary also had to send clinical notes for a five-year weight history and wrote a letter on my behalf. My insurance had a 31-page document on their weight loss policy with all of their requirements. It may be a good idea for you to check out your policy, too!

Congrats!  I actually met with my surgeon first in my process and didn't do anything else until I had.  I can't imagine going through all the hoops without even making sure I like a doctor!  My first meeting with my surgeon was basically, "this is what I'd like, talk to me about it."  It was good. :)

Thank you! How did things progress after that? I am still surprised they got me an appointment set up so quickly, since I just talked to my PCP today! 

The top post in my blog (http://myvsg.livejournal.com) lists all of my appointments :)

Thank you! I will check it out!