cookiefierce 1 Posted March 21, 2016 Hello there I'm new to this. I have my first pre op consultation on tuesday at 10 am. I have no Idea what to excpect. I've been looking into weight loss surgery for a year now. I live in California and have MediCal/IEHP just yo get approved for a consultation my Dr. Submitted a severe apnea test and 2 months of weight watchers. Will that count to get approved for surgery sooner? Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazygoose 190 Posted March 21, 2016 Hello welcome to bariatricpal! Everyone's experiences are a little different I think but there might be someone with a similar insurance who could tell you their experience. My first consultation, I went to the surgeon's office, he evaluated me and recommended the type of surgery he thought would be best for me which happened to be the laparoscopic gastric sleeve. He told me what it entailed (cutting my stomach and making it smaller) and of things I could expect, what I couldn't eat anymore and the type of lifestyle I would have to adapt to after the surgery. He also told me I would have to see a bunch of specialists that my insurance covered, an endocrinologist, gastroentrologist, psychiatrist, cardiologist, respiratory doctor and nutritionist. I had to be cleared by all these people in order to be approved for the surgery and it took roughly 6 months to complete this process. Then he'd have to submit all that information to the insurance company to get it approved. He also told me I had to go on a liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery and had to pay $300 out of pocket for the program fee and food they were to give me during that time period. Some people have to go on a 6 month pre-op diet but I didn't have to. Anyways I wish you the best with your consultation and hope everything goes well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cookiefierce 1 Posted March 21, 2016 Thank you very much @@crazygoose I hope the process goes by quick. I'm so happy I joined this app. Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anjelikaj 2 Posted March 21, 2016 I go for my initial visit on Tuesday and it'll be pretty much what @@crazygoose said. Good luck to you Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atontor 1,068 Posted March 21, 2016 Hi. I had to see all those doctors mentioned above. My insurance required 4 months of Doctor visits for weigh ins . I was sleeved on 5/29/15. SW 320. CW 195. GW 185. I added a pic to see the progress. Feel free to ask any questions you may have Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cookiefierce 1 Posted March 21, 2016 Omg @@atontor congrats you look amazing Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atontor 1,068 Posted March 21, 2016 Omg @@atontor congrats you look amazing Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Thank you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2goldengirl 2,076 Posted March 21, 2016 He also told me I had to pay $300 out of pocket for the program fee and food they were to give me during that time period. Some people have to go on a 6 month pre-op diet but I didn't have to.No, No, No. You have Managed Medi-Cal. You can't be forced to pay any "program fee" or for any supplements or shakes. By law, all you are responsible for are your copays. Period. Call IEHP and tell them that this doc is trying to overcharge you. They will remind him that he can't do this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StanCounty29 70 Posted March 25, 2016 Hello there I'm new to this. I have my first pre op consultation on tuesday at 10 am. I have no Idea what to excpect. I've been looking into weight loss surgery for a year now. I live in California and have MediCal/IEHP just yo get approved for a consultation my Dr. Submitted a severe apnea test and 2 months of weight watchers. Will that count to get approved for surgery sooner? Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Where in cali are u at? I had mine done through medical as we'll. How they said it depends on ur dr. All my process took about a month. For me, was every time I finished an appt I would call my drs office and let them know. And I would tell them ok my next step. I think the only thing I paid for was the nutritionist, because the ones that medical provided were to far. But good luck, like I said especially with medical, just keep basically stay on top of them. Good luck and hopefully it all goes through smoothly! Sent from my SGH-M919N using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Falecha 50 Posted March 25, 2016 Hi. I had to see all those doctors mentioned above. My insurance required 4 months of Doctor visits for weigh ins . I was sleeved on 5/29/15. SW 320. CW 195. GW 185. I added a pic to see the progress. Feel free to ask any questions you may have ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1458559907.602226.jpg U look very nice!! Falecha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Myjourney616 10 Posted March 25, 2016 Hi. I had to see all those doctors mentioned above. My insurance required 4 months of Doctor visits for weigh ins . I was sleeved on 5/29/15. SW 320. CW 195. GW 185. I added a pic to see the progress. Feel free to ask any questions you may have ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1458559907.602226.jpg You look amazing im inpressed Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlered12973 5 Posted March 25, 2016 My experience was really smooth. I met the doctor after my vitals and weight were done. He showed me the different procedures and suggested the sleeve. They turned in the preapproval and I went to the psych evaluation the next day. Within a week I was approved and the scheduled my surgery in 2 weeks time. My whole process was 29 days from consult to sugury. Good luck...you know that you want to make this lifestyle change so you will be fine! I have surgery in 4 days....whoo hooo! Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Falecha 50 Posted March 26, 2016 My experience was really smooth. I met the doctor after my vitals and weight were done. He showed me the different procedures and suggested the sleeve. They turned in the preapproval and I went to the psych evaluation the next day. Within a week I was approved and the scheduled my surgery in 2 weeks time. My whole process was 29 days from consult to sugury. Good luck...you know that you want to make this lifestyle change so you will be fine! I have surgery in 4 days....whoo hooo! Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App I'm happy for u!!! Falecha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tricia Renzi Grow 20 Posted March 27, 2016 I have my first consult/surgeon consult next Friday. Very excited to start the process and know I'll have to jump through all sort of hoops, but am ready! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cookiefierce 1 Posted April 3, 2016 My experience was really smooth. I met the doctor after my vitals and weight were done. He showed me the different procedures and suggested the sleeve. They turned in the preapproval and I went to the psych evaluation the next day. Within a week I was approved and the scheduled my surgery in 2 weeks time. My whole process was 29 days from consult to sugury. Good luck...you know that you want to make this lifestyle change so you will be fine! I have surgery in 4 days....whoo hooo! Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App I'm happy for u!!! Falecha What insurance did you have?Did you do 3 to 6 months supervised diet? Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites