Looking for people who are just starting the bariatric process

[XxStephYxX 46]

Hello I just went to my first appointment to the bariatric clinic and start my 6 month diet process for insurance requirement tomorrow ..

With hopes to no complications in the process but i am willing to learn or hope to find people that are also just starting and maybe looking to chats about up coming events with the process ...I am very excited but feel very scared all at the same time any advice? thanks in advance

[Anilyn 22]

No advice. ..but I have my info session tomorrow.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Congratulations on taking such a big step.

The best advice I can give is learn as much as you can, ask lots of questions, and write everything down. Your program may give you a notebook to keep up with all of the information you receive, but if they don't you may want to get a big three ring binder to keep up with everything.

You have posted in the bypass forum so I assume you are planning to have the bypass. If you aren't familiar with the other options, I encourage you to learn about all of the available procedures and work with your surgeon to determine which one is best for you.

Also, stay positive, proactive, persistent, and patient throughout the process.

Best of luck.

[XxStephYxX 46]

No advice. ..but I have my info session tomorrow.

good luck hope all goes well and thanks for responding!

[XxStephYxX 46]

Congratulations on taking such a big step.

The best advice I can give is learn as much as you can, ask lots of questions, and write everything down. Your program may give you a notebook to keep up with all of the information you receive, but if they don't you may want to get a big three ring binder to keep up with everything.

You have posted in the bypass forum so I assume you are planning to have the bypass. If you aren't familiar with the other options, I encourage you to learn about all of the available procedures and work with your surgeon to determine which one is best for you.

Also, stay positive, proactive, persistent, and patient throughout the process.

Best of luck

Thanks i will pick up a notebook on my way tomorrow yes i am going to have the bypass, i know through family who has gone through it on how things kinda worked for them... the surgeon think it is best for the bypass for me i kind of asked him today on the sleeve but when i read up on the booklet they have gave me in mail before i went to first appointment looks to be the best one for me i think with my size and with having some known things about it from family .. but i will have lots of questions for them thanks for the advice i really do appreciate it

[MommyT01 8]

Also just starting journey go Tuesday to the information session. Would love some buddies just starting.

[swinglifeaway 64]

I'm just starting the process as well! I attended the seminar last month and have my first appointment next week. I have no idea what to expect for this first appointment, but I'm super excited. ???? ????????

[XxStephYxX 46]

Also just starting journey go Tuesday to the information session. Would love some buddies just starting.

i hope all goes well for you thanks for responding

[XxStephYxX 46]

I'm just starting the process as well! I attended the seminar last month and have my first appointment next week. I have no idea what to expect for this first appointment, but I'm super excited.

very good luck i know how that excitement feels .. Yesterday i met the surgeon and nurse and they were sooo nice made me feel at ease and do not hesitate to ask anything they told me no such thing as wrong questions so dont be scared to ask wish you the best of luck

[brown_eyed_girl 5]

I am a couple of months into the process. I went to an information session and met with the surgeon 11/2015. I found out that my insurance requires that I follow a Dr. approved diet plan for 6 consecutive months (I have to go 2x a month). The hospital where I am having the surgery is a Bariatric Center of Excellence and all of the surgeons, Dr.'s and nutritionists have offices right next to each other and all work together.

Once a month I will meet with the Dr. who runs the program and then 2 weeks later I will have a class to attend where a nutritionist/dietitian talks to us about various different things. I have my 2 visits for December completed and I had my class yesterday and will meet with the Dr. on the 19th. I also had to meet with a psychologist and they want me to attend a support group at least once in my area. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly from here on out.

[XxStephYxX 46]

Also just starting journey go Tuesday to the information session. Would love some buddies just starting.

good luck hope all goes well and anytime need to chat i will look for postings or something lol i am also looking for some chat buddies support to have would be a comfort

[XxStephYxX 46]

I am a couple of months into the process. I went to an information session and met with the surgeon 11/2015. I found out that my insurance requires that I follow a Dr. approved diet plan for 6 consecutive months (I have to go 2x a month). The hospital where I am having the surgery is a Bariatric Center of Excellence and all of the surgeons, Dr.'s and nutritionists have offices right next to each other and all work together.

Once a month I will meet with the Dr. who runs the program and then 2 weeks later I will have a class to attend where a nutritionist/dietitian talks to us about various different things. I have my 2 visits for December completed and I had my class yesterday and will meet with the Dr. on the 19th. I also had to meet with a psychologist and they want me to attend a support group at least once in my area. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly from here on out.

Edited January 8, 2016 by XxStephYxX

[tbella67 19]

I started process in December. Have my egd and colonoscopy tomorrow. I have aetna and they say 3 mos or 6 Mos for diet plan. Go to nut once a month. Have psych eval this month too.

[XxStephYxX 46]

I am a couple of months into the process. I went to an information session and met with the surgeon 11/2015. I found out that my insurance requires that I follow a Dr. approved diet plan for 6 consecutive months (I have to go 2x a month). The hospital where I am having the surgery is a Bariatric Center of Excellence and all of the surgeons, Dr.'s and nutritionists have offices right next to each other and all work together.

Once a month I will meet with the Dr. who runs the program and then 2 weeks later I will have a class to attend where a nutritionist/dietitian talks to us about various different things. I have my 2 visits for December completed and I had my class yesterday and will meet with the Dr. on the 19th. I also had to meet with a psychologist and they want me to attend a support group at least once in my area. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly from here on out.

I have a 6 month nutritionist- dietitian process today was day 1 for that... yesterday i met up with the surgeon and they did not say when i have to meet up with them again . I will need to call them tomorrow i think to find out .. i have to have a stress test done , a upper scope and talk to psychologist yet .. I was hoping i didnt have to wait for soo long to have the surgery done im so ready for it i feel but can only take it a day at a time i guess . I wish you the best of luck and hopes to catch back up again thanks for responding

[xochtlem 54]

I'm just starting out as well. Went to my consult on Monday, but I'm not sure if I really want to use this doc. The psych eval is $300 out of pocket, and they won't let me use my current therapist. Not sure I like that, plus it's kind of far from my house. I live in Silver Spring, MD and it's in Fairfax, VA.

They did give me orders to get my EKG, abdominal u/s, chest X-rays, and EGD, scheduled, so I've got them scheduled and if I do change surgeons I can still use the same reports.

I'm going to a seminar for another surgeon closer to me at Howard University Hospital, and I've heard great things about them. Both places are Centers of Excellence, so I should be good either way.

But I did like the fact that Howard will allow me to use my own therapist for the psych eval. I mean, who can better determine if I'm able to handle such a life change, than the provider who has been seeing me for a couple of years now? Just makes sense.

The only thing I'm not too happy about is the 6 month program. The first surgeon said it HAS to be medically supervised through them, but never bothered to verify my insurance when I have actually asked them. Anthem Blue Cross told me it could be any weight loss program like even WW. Inova told me no, that's not true. I actually spoke with the pre-certification group and they directed me to the medical policy where it states that it should be a non-surgical attempt for 6 months in the last 2 years, evaluated by the requesting physician.

Anyways, I have invoices/records of the medical weight loss clinic I joined last year, and I'm going to try to use those.

I just want to get this done ASAP so I can start to feel like a normal person by the time my bday rolls around in June. Lol