Well, my surgeon hasn't required me to get the endoscopy test, but I do know that the psych eval is a pretty common exam. They basically want to make sure that you're psychologically sound and have a firm grasp on what it means to go through with this surgery as it's a life changing (and diet changing!) operation. Not all surgeons require the same tests for everyone as my father (who just had the surgery) had to have a sleep test, EKG, chest xray, etc while I only had to get blood work as I'm younger with less health problems.

Hope that helped!

~Lyra

Test, test and more tests.... The weeks leading up to my surgery were filled with so many tests. I had:

- routine blood work

- Upper GI study (using a barium swallow)

- EKG

- Echo Imaging of my heart (basically a ultrasound of your heart)

- A nuclear stress test, two day study

- and finally a psych veal with included over 500 questions in varying forms.

The psych is really there to make sure you don't have any food dependencies that will have a negative impact on your health afterwards. For example, if you really rely on food as a coping mechanism, they might want to give you some other things to use because that mechanism will be gone.

My big thing was the number and complexity of the cardiologist. I'm 41 with a strong family history of heart disease and despite the fact that I have no history of heart problems, all those tests were needed for "cardiac clearance."

But the nice part about it was that everybody knew the reason for the tests and were very helpful in trying to get me what I needed in time for surgery. In the end people really want to help.

Good luck and take care!

i agree with David, tests, tests. Because David's heart history was a little bit more involved, he was required to get the extra cardiac testing. i just had a regular office visit with the cardiologist. psyche was also a breeze. had to have two visits. did have upper gi study with swallow before surgery and also after the procedure to check for leaks. David is also correct in the fact that everyone knows how hard you are working toward this goal and they are willing to help as well. i think i dreaded the weekly weigh-ins most for fear that i would not make the 10% requirement for the surgery. Good Luck to you on your new journey !!! You will love the new you !!! I am hearing this from everyone who has had the surgery and I am looking forward to the new me ...

I am 1 week postop for my sleeve. I feel wonderful. I had my first dinner this evening and it tasted wonderful and feels wonderful. My fear was that i would not be able to eat the same things i was cooking for my husband. i had 1 tblsp pureed roast pork, 1 tblsp of mashed potato and 1 tblsp of pureed carrots. Best meal i have had in a while. i had no clue what life would be like after the surgery. Now i know i can handle this journey on a small scale. i feel good. on the treadmill a couple of times a day for about 10 minutes a shot.

I am 1 week postop for my sleeve. I feel wonderful. I had my first dinner this evening and it tasted wonderful and feels wonderful. My fear was that i would not be able to eat the same things i was cooking for my husband. i had 1 tblsp pureed roast pork, 1 tblsp of mashed potato and 1 tblsp of pureed carrots. Best meal i have had in a while. i had no clue what life would be like after the surgery. Now i know i can handle this journey on a small scale. i feel good. on the treadmill a couple of times a day for about 10 minutes a shot.

That first food you eat, that is not a liquid, is amazing!!!! I think mine was yogurt and I have never tasted anything so good. lol

Thanks to all for your responses! I really appreciate all the help. I did have the GI clearance (Barium swallow) at the consultation. They did it right there. I also had a cardiac clearance from my cardiologist, so those are out of the way.

My insurance is requiring a 90 day wait which is frustrating,