Jitters and Questions

[kathywithakay 3]

I have just begun the process after reading every bit of information I could find on pros and cons of WLS. I have chosen a surgeon, submitted the paperwork but not had a consultation yet. I have scheduled a sleep study because it has been 8 years since the last one and scheduled an appointment with my PCP for a physical. My insurance company said I can complete the 3 month required nut counseling with my PCP so I hope to begin that on June 4^th. Besides the psych, are there other medical test requirements or does that vary from patient to patient? I’m just trying to get an idea so everything goes smoothly and there are no surprises. I’m sure I will know a lot more after the consultation but I have read posts about barium swallows, EKGs, Stress Tests and ECHOs. Are these tests typical? I am really nervous about the initial consultation and am afraid I might back out although I know this will be a life saving surgery for me. I can't turn back, now.

[ShrinkyDinkMe22 376]

I think it depends on your insurance. Prior to submitting for approval I had to see a psych, see my pcp, and do an egd. The egd was not for the insurance but was to make sure I had no damage to my esophagus and stomach from Gerd. But the others were prerequisites for my insurance. Once approved my surgeon required a sleep study, lung Dr clearance, ekg, blood work, and there was something else in the but I'm drawing a blank. So those initial appointments prior to approval are solely based on your insurance requirements. Then after that is based on what your surgeon requires. My office called it a next steps packet. So next step after approval was this, this etc.

[kathywithakay 3]

I think it depends on your insurance. Prior to submitting for approval I had to see a psych, see my pcp, and do an egd. The egd was not for the insurance but was to make sure I had no damage to my esophagus and stomach from Gerd. But the others were prerequisites for my insurance. Once approved my surgeon required a sleep study, lung Dr clearance, ekg, blood work, and there was something else in the but I'm drawing a blank. So those initial appointments prior to approval are solely based on your insurance requirements. Then after that is based on what your surgeon requires. My office called it a next steps packet. So next step after approval was this, this etc.

Thanks so very much, ShrinkyDink! That all seems very logical and it’s reassuring to know that they take such precautions prior to approving this type of major surgery. For some reason, I am stressing over the tests and not so much the surgery. I’ve had a sleep study before so I know what to expect and my PCP routinely does blood work so I don’t know why I’m making such a big deal of this. If I did not have help from this awesome forum, I don’t think I would have even considered WLS. All of the good information, positive input, support and amazing results made me realize this can work for me. And btw, congrats on your weight loss!!! WOW!

[ShrinkyDinkMe22 376]

No problem! And trust me you're not alone. All these tests were making me a basket case. During my testing they thought I had barretts esophagus ended up being a mistake. I was told I had an enlarged heart, mistake, something else major happened bunch it's all a blur... Or I blocked it out. Oh they found gallstones.... Lots of them.

Thanks for the compliment. I've been extremely lucky. I had one small complication which required me to stay in hospital for 4 days.

Make sure you read up on the complications just to be prepared. There are many success stories here but also some very scary ones. Don't go into this blindly. Not trying to scare you just want you to be prepared.

[kathywithakay 3]

No problem! And trust me you're not alone. All these tests were making me a basket case. During my testing they thought I had barretts esophagus ended up being a mistake. I was told I had an enlarged heart, mistake, something else major happened bunch it's all a blur... Or I blocked it out. Oh they found gallstones.... Lots of them.

Thanks for the compliment. I've been extremely lucky. I had one small complication which required me to stay in hospital for 4 days.

Make sure you read up on the complications just to be prepared. There are many success stories here but also some very scary ones. Don't go into this blindly. Not trying to scare you just want you to be prepared.

I’m so sorry to hear that you had complications and you are absolutely correct. Thanks for the reality check. I have read about some of the complications and I am going into this open minded but trusting the judgment of the surgeon. I am at the point if I don’t have the surgery, obesity will kill me…soon. Like most, I am going to follow the pre op instructions, no matter how difficult, hoping this will in some way, help the possibility that I will make it through without too many setbacks. Even with your complication, you are a successful sleever. You must feel so good about yourself! If you could give one piece of advice to a newbie, what would it be?

[lizv123 389]

I’m so sorry to hear that you had complications and you are absolutely correct. Thanks for the reality check. I have read about some of the complications and I am going into this open minded but trusting the judgment of the surgeon. I am at the point if I don’t have the surgery' date=' obesity will kill me…soon. Like most, I am going to follow the pre op instructions, no matter how difficult, hoping this will in some way, help the possibility that I will make it through without too many setbacks. Even with your complication, you are a successful sleever. You must feel so good about yourself! If you could give one piece of advice to a newbie, what would it be?[/quote']

My advice, RESEARCH! Constantly. And mentally prepare the best you can for complications. I had a leak and other issues. I would never tell anyone to not go through with this surgery. But prepare for anything and everything. I know the percentage of leaks is a small number but there's still a number. For me, obesity or the depression I felt because of it would have resulted in the end of my life. Do some soul searching, read up on both best case and worst case scenarios and go from there

[kathywithakay 3]

My advice, RESEARCH! Constantly. And mentally prepare the best you can for complications. I had a leak and other issues. I would never tell anyone to not go through with this surgery. But prepare for anything and everything. I know the percentage of leaks is a small number but there's still a number. For me, obesity or the depression I felt because of it would have resulted in the end of my life. Do some soul searching, read up on both best case and worst case scenarios and go from there

I actually began considering WLS 18 months ago and started out Googling "complications as a result of WLS" and OMG! There is a lot of information out there. It's a chance we all have to take if we want to prolong our lives. Of course, I am praying everything goes smoothly, I understand the possibility of setbacks.