Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Newbie:Consultation Questions



Recommended Posts

I am new to this and have never written in so I hope I am doing this correctly! :)

I have my consultation two weeks from today and am hoping that everything goes well to be able to have the sleeve surgery done just after school in June. I am very anxious, excited, and nervous. Quite honestly weight loss surgery is almost the only thing I can think about during the day.

What do I need to expect for my consultation? I have some anxiety in this area because I do not know what to expect. What is to be expected on this day? Do things move quickly or will it go pretty slow after the consultation. I read on another post that someone's consultation took 4 hours. What happens that is going to be that long? If you can share your experiences I think that will help me feel more at ease and maybe my mind can take a break and just wait for the day to get here.

BTW, I am going to be going with insurance instead of out of pocket. I talked to the doctor's office and they said that my insurance just requires me to have a BMI over 40 (which I am at 43) so I assume that shouldn't be any issue. Does the insurance party go pretty fast or not so much?

I would appreciate any insight or experiences greatly. There is so much emotion attached to this and the unknown is so difficult!

~Mary

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm in the same boat. My consult is April 25th mainly because I am using a doctor in a different city and I happen to have vacation scheduled that week. I don't see why a consultation should take that long and it certainly wasn't mentioned when I set the appt up, but maybe someone else that had been through it can elaborate. That being said, I'm sure every doctor is different.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Unless the Surgeon is planning on adopting you, I doubt he will spend more than a few minutes reviewing your needs and answering your questions.

However, most surgeons have coordinators that will spend time going over all the testing, appointments, pre-op, paperwork, releases, schedules etc, etc. That could take quite a while. And let's not forget the usual endless wait in the waiting room.

You might want to compile a list of questions to ask the Surgeon so your mind doesn't go blank during those precious few minutes, only to flood you with "I should have asked him" stuff later. I did a post on a similar thread a while back listing a bunch of typical questions. I'll try to find it and link it here.

Whatever the time spent during the consult, you'll have plenty of time to go over any concerns you have with your Surgeons office before surgery. ^_^

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/301841-starting-my-new-journey-%F0%9F%98/

Edited by Recycled

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My first visit was a little over 4 hours. I had Labs drawn (17 vials), I saw the NUT and the Nurse that coordenates everything. I have to have clearances from Pulmonary, Cardiac, Medical (PCP) and Psychology. Then there are more test, upper GI, EKG, Chest Xray. Now the Pulmonary will not sign off without sleep study.

Once all of these come back they will then schedule (if I qualify) for surgary. Nothing is fast.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow! I guess four hours makes sense with labs and that many meetings with people I guess I should call and find out if that is how mine will go? Did you have to fast for the blood work and tests?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Since my appt was first thing in the morning. I did fast just in case they could do the blood at that time. My thought was try to get one thing off my list of things to do,. lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My 1st consultation was maybe 1 month ago

They went over the surgery that I want to have

I met with the doctor at this point you can ask any question you like

Then I was given a check list of the things that I need to have done

- 6 month wait (I have BCBS Federal)

- Nut, ekg, blood work, sleep study etc....... (they didn't do any test on me at all I have to get them done on my own and have them fax to the office)

- they took my weight

So its fair to say I am a newbie as well so I will be following this post

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I attended a seminar first. My first appointment was about 4 hours. I had to fill out paperwork, take a psychological test, meet with psychologist, meet with nutritionist, meet with nurse, then the doctor. The doctor went over what tests he required. I did not have any blood work done on this day...that came later. The insurance coordinator went over the requirements that I had to meet for Aetna.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Be prepared for your surgery to have a three- or six-month requirement of doctor-supervised diet/exercise also... So you may be delayed in your surgery plans. As for all the requirements, it depends on your surgeons office and how they schedule. :) the first appointment might be 20 minutes and then they schedule the NUT visit / lab work / everything..... Or they might do it first.... The best thing is to call them and just ask, "how long should I plan to be in the office that day?"

Best wishes on your journey!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great information everyone! Thanks so much. I will call them tomorrow to find out what I should do to prepare. It sounds like every doctor/insurance has their own way of doing things!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Every office is going to be different but asking any questions you can think of is the best thing. Even if it's an embarrassing one ask it because I'm sure they've heard worse.....lol

Also do research on the Internet to come up with questions, maybe about something you don't understand. My office required me to go to 3 pre op bariatric support groups. Very very informational ! You also can ask a ton of questions there too and no one is there judging you. Good luck too you and this wonderful journey!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Since my appt was first thing in the morning. I did fast just in case they could do the blood at that time. My thought was try to get one thing off my list of things to do,. lol

I wish I would have thought of that! I have about 4 pages of questions I want to ask. I still dont know which surgery I want.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×