Pre-op Consult with Surgeon

My Big Day 3/15/2011 · March 2, 2011

Here is my story of pre-op with the surgeon and I hope this gives clarity to those looking for what to expect during the pre-op visit...

First item of business was the paperwork you have to fill out in the waiting area and then fees were collected by the secretary. My fees were as follows...$100 to surgeon, $300 for bariatric program fee which includes onlin support and first month of Vitamins, etc, and then $35 co-pay for my insurance(United).

Next, the nurse called me back to her office to step on the grand scale for my pre-op weigh in and I was provided a print-out for my records of my weight which was 262lbs at this visit...down 9 lbs since the last time I weighed in their office. Next the nurse reviewed all of my health records/history and updated anything that needed updating. Then she gave me pre and post op orders. She reviewed them all with me. My pre-op order includes following the liver shrinking diet for the next two weeks, then day before surgery I can have light lunch but after lunch I go to Clear liquids until midnight. I have to take magnesium sulfate 260 mls (over the counter) to induce massive bowel movements the night before surgery. Then I must shower with dial (antibacterial soap) and take the prescribed sleeping pill (Ristoril) to get a good nights rest. Then I must arrive at the hospital at 530am for surgery at 730 am. I am instructed to take the prescribed Pepcid the morning of surgery with a sip of Water. After reviewing all of this info plus the post-op info I was sent to another room (exam room) where I was instructed to take my shirt and pants off, but leave panties and bra and put on a huge gown with the opening to the front. Then I got on the exam table and the surgeon walked in. (How nerve racking right?) Anyway, he said his hello and then wanted to know if I had any questions? I was honestly blank...and wish I had written down everything I wanted to know...this is my big piece of advice. Write your questions down...you will not remember it when you are in your underwear infront of your surgeon. So, he made sure to emphasize that the surgery alone will not make me lose weight and I will have to put in the work to follow the diet and exercise...ofcourse knew that. Then he listened to my lungs and heart and pushed hard on my belly in different areas and looked at my previous scars from my gallbladder surgery. The few questions I remembered were bougie size which he said will either be a 34 or 36 depending on how big my stomach is. Hospital stay...hopefully on one night but we will see depending on how I do. Weight loss of previous patients...he said very close to the same as his bypass patients (great news). I asked about leak checks and he doesn't do one intra-op only post-op the morning after surgery and that is an upper GI where you swallow contrast and they shoot an xray to see if anything is leaking out. As soon as this test is over and clear you can start on Clear Liquids. Anyway, the total time with the surgeon was probably 10 mins and the office was super busy! My biggest piece of advice is to write everything down and take someone with you that can help you remember the answers to your questions or write them down too! Good luck everyone...we are on our way.

snowfie9 · March 2, 2011

Thanks for the heads up.

How long did it take for your insurance approval to go through?

My Big Day 3/15/2011 · March 2, 2011

ONCE I WAS SUBMITTED IT WAS EXACTLY ONE WEEK....GOOD LUCK

Margaret · March 2, 2011

Very informative! Thank you so--I'm right behind you!

Here is my story of pre-op with the surgeon and I hope this gives clarity to those looking for what to expect during the pre-op visit...

First item of business was the paperwork you have to fill out in the waiting area and then fees were collected by the secretary. My fees were as follows...$100 to surgeon, $300 for bariatric program fee which includes onlin support and first month of Vitamins, etc, and then $35 co-pay for my insurance(United).

Next, the nurse called me back to her office to step on the grand scale for my pre-op weigh in and I was provided a print-out for my records of my weight which was 262lbs at this visit...down 9 lbs since the last time I weighed in their office. Next the nurse reviewed all of my health records/history and updated anything that needed updating. Then she gave me pre and post op orders. She reviewed them all with me. My pre-op order includes following the liver shrinking diet for the next two weeks, then day before surgery I can have light lunch but after lunch I go to clear liquids until midnight. I have to take magnesium sulfate 260 mls (over the counter) to induce massive bowel movements the night before surgery. Then I must shower with dial (antibacterial soap) and take the prescribed sleeping pill (Ristoril) to get a good nights rest. Then I must arrive at the hospital at 530am for surgery at 730 am. I am instructed to take the prescribed Pepcid the morning of surgery with a sip of Water. After reviewing all of this info plus the post-op info I was sent to another room (exam room) where I was instructed to take my shirt and pants off, but leave panties and bra and put on a huge gown with the opening to the front. Then I got on the exam table and the surgeon walked in. (How nerve racking right?) Anyway, he said his hello and then wanted to know if I had any questions? I was honestly blank...and wish I had written down everything I wanted to know...this is my big piece of advice. Write your questions down...you will not remember it when you are in your underwear infront of your surgeon. So, he made sure to emphasize that the surgery alone will not make me lose weight and I will have to put in the work to follow the diet and exercise...ofcourse knew that. Then he listened to my lungs and heart and pushed hard on my belly in different areas and looked at my previous scars from my gallbladder surgery. The few questions I remembered were bougie size which he said will either be a 34 or 36 depending on how big my stomach is. Hospital stay...hopefully on one night but we will see depending on how I do. Weight loss of previous patients...he said very close to the same as his bypass patients (great news). I asked about leak checks and he doesn't do one intra-op only post-op the morning after surgery and that is an upper GI where you swallow contrast and they shoot an xray to see if anything is leaking out. As soon as this test is over and clear you can start on clear liquids. Anyway, the total time with the surgeon was probably 10 mins and the office was super busy! My biggest piece of advice is to write everything down and take someone with you that can help you remember the answers to your questions or write them down too! Good luck everyone...we are on our way.