What Specialist Visits Are Required Before Surgery Is Scheduled?

[neeni 2]

I just had my first visit with the nurse practioner, dietician and insurance specialist. I have to see a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy, their psychiatrist, the surgeon that will be doing surgery, my primary care, have to get a chest xray, the dietician again and a cardiologist for medical clearance. I was surprised I have to see a cardiologist. I don't have any type of cardiac issues. Is this typical? I have everything already scheduled except the cardiologist for during July. I don't have a cardiologist so I'm afraid I won't get an appointment for July since I'll be a new patient and I would really like to get the surgery done in August because I have a lot going on in September. My insurance doesn't require a supervised diet so once I have gone for all these appointments everything will be submitted to insurance for approval. I was told it usually takes about a week for my insurance company to approve. Just curious if others had to see a cardiologist for clearance also. I thought usually the primary care does this. Also, I have already been given a diet to start by the dietician...one Protein Shake in place of a meal and two other meals consisting of 3oz of Protein. If I really need a snack I can have a fruit or nonfat plain yogurt. After a couple of weeks I have to go to 2 shakes and 1 meal. If I have to wait until September for surgery I may starve!!! Just kidding. lol but today was a tough day! Thanks for your input.

[yvonne74 73]

Each Dr is different and will require different things.. I went to see three Drs and the third is the only one who would band me.. But IF I qualified with Dr #2, he required a pap smear (Mammogram if over 40), clearance from my cancer Dr (I have/had skin cancer), cardio, tons of blood work, EKG, sleep study and psych.. (not sure what else but required tons of things).. The Dr that did my surgery required bloodwork, EKG, EGD, nutritionist and psych.

[Mara005 70]

I just had my first visit with the nurse practioner, dietician and insurance specialist. I have to see a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy, their psychiatrist, the surgeon that will be doing surgery, my primary care, have to get a chest xray, the dietician again and a cardiologist for medical clearance. I was surprised I have to see a cardiologist. I don't have any type of cardiac issues. Is this typical? I have everything already scheduled except the cardiologist for during July. I don't have a cardiologist so I'm afraid I won't get an appointment for July since I'll be a new patient and I would really like to get the surgery done in August because I have a lot going on in September. My insurance doesn't require a supervised diet so once I have gone for all these appointments everything will be submitted to insurance for approval. I was told it usually takes about a week for my insurance company to approve. Just curious if others had to see a cardiologist for clearance also. I thought usually the primary care does this. Also, I have already been given a diet to start by the dietician...one Protein shake in place of a meal and two other meals consisting of 3oz of Protein. If I really need a snack I can have a fruit or nonfat plain yogurt. After a couple of weeks I have to go to 2 shakes and 1 meal. If I have to wait until September for surgery I may starve!!! Just kidding. lol but today was a tough day! Thanks for your input.

My 3 week pre op diet consists of- 2 shakes, 2 fruits and a salad with protein. I don't know how I will be able to do it!

Also, see below for all my appointments

[BamaGirl36303 1]

Lets see.....I had to go to my Gynocologist which gave me my letter of medical clearance (I don't have a primary care physician, and since I have PCOS he suggested the surgery and helped me out with what I needed for the surgery) and also gave me 3 years of weight history. I had to attend a support group meeting. I also had to have a sleep study done (which I had already done at the beginning of last year to I didnt have to do it again, I just got my records from them), I had to meet a physical therapist & a psychologist. That was it. I was approved for my surgery on December 30th. Surgery was scheduled for February 2nd. From January 4th till the 23rd I was on a low low LOW carb diet then for 10 days before the surgery I was on a liquid diet that consisted of 3 Protein Shakes a day. I was able to drink Water, crystal lite, Powerade zero and any other low or no cal clear drink. After my surgery I did liquid for a few more days then started eating. I've had problems, lots of them, so my experience isn't the same.

[neeni 2]

Thanks! Now that I see all of the appointments you all had to go to I feel a little better. Mara005 that's how I feel! Good luck on your prop diet! It'll be hard but I'm sure we'll both do great!

[blpchick 50]

All my doctor required was for me to see the dietician. He said he doesn't make his see a psychiatrist unless he feels they need to. I didn't has to see any other specialists. I just had to have my records for the last 3 yrs faxed over from my primary care doctor.

[velvetbuckle 3]

Wow! I don't know if I should feel happy I didn't have to go to all those Doctor's or if I got shortchanged? I had 1 appointment with a psychiatrist, 1 with a nutritionist, 1 with my surgeon. However, I had been back and forth deciding about surgery for a few years it was well documented by my primary care Dr. I have no doubt! Good Luck everyone, I was banded June 26 waiting for my first fill appointment.