Pre-Op Doctor's visit...what happens? What should I expect?

[Mrs. Reid 392]

Still no surgery date, but I have a pre-op appointment on the 23rd. The pre-op exam is good for 30 days and I will definitely be scheduled within that time frame. What happens during a pre-op appointment? What are they looking for? Has anyone had their surgery canceled because of something that happened in their pre-op exam?

[joatsaint 2,814]

Could you elaborate a little more about what you mean by "pre-op" appointment? I had about 7 pre-op appointments. Everything from the initial visit to NUT visit, drawing blood, chest x-ray and psych eval visit.

My initial visits with the doc were to make sure I could qualify for surgery, knew what I was getting into and the visit I had to have with the NUT.

The rest were at the hospital - blood work, chest x-ray, stomach endoscopy and finally the psych eval (it was all about finding out if I knew what I was getting into, if I had realistic expectations, and if I was committed to the changes I would have to make).

Edited January 13, 2015 by joatsaint

[Elode 8,093]

My pre-op was at the hospital and it was a bunch of questions from the nurse and anesthesiologist. I was diabetic so I didn't have any extra test or anything.

[Sharon1964 2,530]

We do pre-ops at my office (not a WLS office) and we have a form we fill out for the surgery center. The doctor does a physical exam to complete the form, covering heart, lungs, etc. If the patient is of a certain age or has a cardiac history, the surgery center requires an EKG or clearance from a cardiologist, so those tests are ordered at the pre-op visit.

I would imagine a pre-op for WLS would be similar to pre-ops for other types of surgery.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I was only allowed to schedule my first pre-op with the Bariatric center after I attended the mandatory informational seminar. At my first appointment I met my team: The surgeon, the nurse, the nutritionist, and the nurse practitioner. I saw each of these at each follow up.

The nurse would bring me back. She did a routine weight, temp, BP check. I then met with the nutritionist. I was given my handbook and explained that I would need to bring this every week. It had all the pre-op testing I needed listed. It also had sample diets, recommendations on Protein drinks/shake/liquids, recommendations on Protein Bars, and recommendations on Vitamins. It also had blank pages for food journaling and it was explained that this would be reviewed at each appointment. Another section had contact information listed for all team members, as well as the days and time of support group meetings. In the post-op section it had the food stages broken down by weeks, recommended foods at each stage and sample daily menus.

After the nutritionist it was the Nurse Practitioner. She did my H & P (History and physical.) She took down my medical history. Did a basic physical (checked ear, throat, breathing, etc....) She gave me a questionnaire to take home and fill out that was approximately 30 pages. This would be forwarded to the psychologist for my psych eval.I was informed that most insurances either cover the psych or the nutritionist but not both and what the fees would be for each. My psych eval was covered the nutrition class was not. It was $200 out of pocket. She writes out prescriptions for all the testing I need. I was also sent for blood work.

After that I met the surgeon. He reviewed the procedure. Once again explained what it entails and then double checked the info that the others had gathered. He asked if I had any questions or concerns.

It was a long a long day but everything was thoroughly covered. The best thing was that I had that handbook to refer back to if I didn't remember anything and if I was still unsure, I could call the surgeon's assistant.

Edited January 13, 2015 by BLERDgirl

[RedSalamander 148]

My pre-surgical appointment (if that's indeed what this is for you) consisted of a nurse asking me a lot of health questions, a meeting with an anesthesiologist, and a trip to the lab for them to take vials of blood and a urine test. Oh, and of course BP/temp/pulse. They didn't weigh me, and I didn't see anyone from my bariatric team.