pre pre pre op

[neevers 0]

Hi everybody,

I am super new to this site. I have my FIRST consultation on Thursday, May 7th and I'm not sure what to expect. I'm nervous about not getting approved or not saying the right things. I just turned 21 in April and I've been overweight for most of my life, basically since I was about 3 years old. I probably hit obesity during my teen years. I've tried many diets, and even went to "fat camp" when I was 13 and 14, and then another one for adults 18 and over, two years ago. I also went to culinary school and my family owns a restaurant, so I am around food all. the. time. food is my life, and I've wanted to be thin ever since I can remember, so surgery seems like my only option at this point. It doesn't seem like there can ever be a time when I'll be able to lose weight without it, especially after trying so many things over the past years.

Anyway, if anyone can tell me what to expect at my first appointment, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

You will more than likely meet the surgeon, who will ask you all kinds of questions. Be HONEST and forthright about the answers, as they NEED to know everything! This is surgery, and it can be risky, so tell ALL. They will probably examine your abdomen for any potential problems. Your vital signs will be taken, and you will have a heart-to-heart with that surgeon, who will probably tell you if you qualify or not, and what to do next. Try not to be nervous, no point in that, and it just raises your blood pressure - you don't want that.

Do your research BEFORE you go, know what it is you (and he) are talking about. Write down any and ALL questions you can think of, and ASK them. Be satisfied with the answers.

Your surgeon will probably tell you which surgery is right for you. You may be required to attend classes or a seminar. Make sure you attend. This is YOUR life...know what it is you're about to do. Good luck to you, and if you have more questions, call your surgeon's office and ask what they will be doing. It is no secret. Let us know how you do!

[ShrinkingPeach 1,291]

Agree with CanyonBaby. My visit was a relatively short appointment. I was weighed and my vitals taken. I then met the surgeon and he asked me about my past and attempts to lose weight. He asked me if I had thought about what surgery I wanted and he agreed the sleeve was right for me. I had a list of questions from my online research and he took the time to answer them. He had me lie back and he pressed around on my stomach and that was it.

I met with the nutritionist who asked me about what I ate. (based on research I had already switched to higher Protein and was already using My Fitness Pal to log all my food. She gave me the copy of the pre-op diet I would be doing once scheduled.

I then met with the insurance coordinator who went over my insurance and what to do. She gave me a checklist of what they needed to submit to the insurance company. She also gave me a timeline of what happens after submission.

My surgery is scheduled for May 15th!

Definitely be honest and forthcoming so the best decisions are made. Good for you for doing this now, I wish I had done this when I was younger.

Good luck!!

[neevers 0]

@@ShrinkingPeach thanks! how much time was there between your first appointment and your surgery date?

[ShrinkingPeach 1,291]

My first consult was Jan 29th of 2015. There was a major snafu with the doctors office insurance coordinator not submitting my paperwork for a month. My paperwork got submitted to Aetna on March 16th and I was initially denied as Aetna said I didn't have enough info. I found out from the insurance coordinator that she felt some things were duplicates so she omitted them. I had kept copies of everything so I faxed it all in myself and got approved. I got my approval letter at the end of April.

I know approval times depend on different insurance companies and their requirements also.

I am now doing my pre-op diet and have a big nutrition class tomorrow where they will go over my post op diet. I will have another meeting with the surgeon and then some pre-op stuff with the hospital in the afternoon.

I will say that for me, it seemed to go very fast once I had the consult and I was busy gathering information,, letters and such. Then it seemed to drag and I got a bit frustrated. Once the approval letter came its like I crested a roller coaster and am hurtling to the end..lol

[Amy93 6]

Im right with you. I have my first consultation last week and went to the information seminar yesterday. Im having alot of doubt about insurance and some fear about life after surgery.