Process after initial visit

[kyblu 0]

Well thanks for all the input on my first discussion as to When to have the lap band. I have scheduled my first appointment for Oct. 10. What can I expect from here on out? Thanks again you all have been so helpful.

[JimR915 21]

Every doctor and insurance company is a bit different with their pre-op requirements. Your doctor should give you a checklist at your first appointment of the requirements that you need to fulfill.

My experience was:

- First appointment - May 2

- (1) Psychologist appointment to gauge my readiness for the lifestyle change

- (1) Nutritionist appointment to go over what my post-op diet would look like.

- (2) Support group meetings (I would recommend getting in as many as you can before and after surgery)

- Some insurance companies insist that you start on a pre-op diet and lose a certain number of pounds. My ins. company did not make me do that.

- I could have had my surgery on July 8th, but I was out of town. Next possible time slot for me was August 12th.

Things that could potentially push your surgery date out.

1. I was motivated to get things done as quickly as possible. Make sure to ask your doctor about availability of various requirements. For example, the nutritionist that works with my doctor's group was booking appointments 4 weeks out. I didn't want to wait, so I found my own nutritionist that was certified to discuss bariatric surgery requirements.

2. If you are submitting through your insurance company, check any pre-operative requirements they have. Some ask you to wait 3 or 6 mos after you have satisfied your other requirements to be sure you are still motivated to have the surgery.

3. Availability of the doctor to perform the surgery and the booking of surgical rooms can have an affect on timing. I selected my Doctor specifically for the reason that he had better access to the surgical rooms at the hospital than the other group of doctors did. Unfortunately, many hospitals still consider lap-band surgery an "elective", so they only schedule rooms for this purpose on a limited basis. You should ask your doctor what the availability looks like for surgical suites.

Best of luck to you as you work through this process! You have already made one good choice by joining these forums. The people here can provide you with a tremendous amount of help.

[JimR915 21]

One more thing....my insurance company and WLS doctor insisted that I have a letter w/ full medical history from my primary care physician..

[DawnH 9]

Like the above person said they should give you a checklist at your first appt of things that need to have done prior to getting a surgery date. Mine was super long and I just wanted to get them over and done with so I could get the surgery. My first appt was on May 31st and I hustled on getting things checked off and had surgery on Sept 12th, 3 weeks ago today ...... Here is my list, I know it seems long but I feel like I learned a lot about my body and my health. Good luck!

sleep study (2 nights)

EKG

Pap smear

Psych eval (3 appts mandatory)

Upper GI

Support group

Lose 10 lbs.

Attend 3 Healthy Weight classes

Nutritionist

Attend 2 bariatric surgery classes and pass the test at the end of classes

Blood work

Chest X-ray

Start a food and exercise journal