Frustrated Newbie

[Kimpicc 13]

Hello all, I have been working on getting a surgery date since Oct 2014, yesterday I finally finished everything the surgeon as asked for. And, today I get a call wanting a EKG done and sleep study. Totally frustrated, in my head I am full steam ahead. I am ready, I am READY for this surgery.

Has anyone else run into this situation with the doctor asking for more test at the end?

Edited January 29, 2015 by kimpicc

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@Kimpicc - Did no one review this process with you at the beginning. There are often numerous test required before you can get a surgery date. Before I could even get an appointment with my surgeon I had to attend a mandatory informational seminar. Then I got my appt where I met the team (nutritionist, Nurse practioner, nurse and surgeon). I then had to have 3 meetings with them. In between I had to get bloodwork, a chest xray, an upper GI, a sleep study, a nutrition class, a psych eval and a pulmonary function test. My doctor also recommended and IVC filter to prevent clots so I had to meet with the vascular surgeon and have an ultrasound of my legs.

I was fortunate. Some insurance companies require supervised diets that can range anywhere from 3 to 12 mths. Since no one appears to have given you an over view of the pre-op requirements, you need to call and ask them to let you know exactly what other pre-op requirements there are. People can end up waiting anywhere from 30 days to 12 mths before they get a surgery date.

Edited January 29, 2015 by BLERDgirl

[joatsaint 2,814]

I was told upfront about all the tests I would have to complete, and EKG and sleep study are very common, if not required by doctors and insurance companies. It sucks that they are blindsiding you with tests they knew you'd be required to take.

One thing I did find out the hard way, the hospitals won't do surgery if your blood tests are more than 3 days old, at least in Texas. After letting them draw 9 vials of blood for the 1st round of tests, I find out 5 days before surgery that I had to do it all over again. I'm already nervous about needles, it didn't make it better having to drive 4 hours round trip to my hospital to repeat the blood work test.

[Kimpicc 13]

Yes, I was given a list of the tests I need to do, Labs, Mental, Upper GI, scope EGD, nutrition, and mandatory meetings. I have done everything asked. It just frustrates me that at the day I was to get a surgery date, I get more tests thrown at me. It worries me!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Agreed. My program give me a handbook and the NP reviewed all the testing required with me and wrote scripts for all of them in case I had to go to the hospital my insurance company was capitated to. (I did for the PFT, Upper GI, sleep Study and chest xray) At each f/u with the team she reviewed with me what I had completed and what I hadn't completed. She also forewarned me that I might have to pay out of pocket for the psych eval or the nutrition class. (My ins. covered the psych eval, but not the nutrition class. It was $200.)

Anytime I was unsure of what I should be doing next, I could consult my handbook. If I still had questions I could call my doctor's office.

Edited January 29, 2015 by BLERDgirl

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Yes, I was given a list of the tests I need to do, Labs, Mental, Upper GI, scope EGD, nutrition, and mandatory meetings. I have done everything asked. It just frustrates me that at the day I was to get a surgery date, I get more tests thrown at me. It worries me!

If you were given a list the sleep study should be no surprise. That's pretty much a given. They need to know if sleep apnea is an issue. Other than maybe self pay patients, it's rare that a sleep study is not part of the pre-op plan.

It sounds like you are just a bit anxious and may have overlooked a few test. Rest assured these are all being done to ensure you have as safe a surgical process as possible.

[Debbieduck4 399]

Well I didn't have to have more tests but my insurance company denied my first submittal because they said I did not space my appointments far enough apart during my 6 month supervised weight loss program with my PCP. Two of the appointments occurred 2.5 months apart instead of 3 months apart... arrrghh!! I had to wait an extra 3 months before being able to resubmit everything and felt like it was the end of the world at the time. I too was just so ready and had tried everything. I literally wanted to just chuck it all and just give up. But I'm so glad I just kept going with the process. I hope you will too. Just remember that it WILL happen and when it does, you will probably figure out there was a reason for this delay that worked out okay in the end. For me, I ended up having my surgery in December when I had time off for the holidays and people around me to help out and I got to begin a new year on a new journey. I know it's so hard to wait but we are here for you. Don't give up. Your time will come!

[Kimpicc 13]

@@Debbieduck4 thank you for your encouraging words. I feel better this morning, And, I do believe your right about the delay, there has to be a good reason why the doctor is asking for more test.

So since you had your procedure in Dec how are you doing??