Tell me about your initial consultation

[SemperVeritas 35]

New here! I'm enjoying reading and learning as I work my way through posts.

My initial consult is at the end of the month and I'm curious what people's experiences have been. Was it a chatty appointment? More like a regular check-up? A little of both? How did you feel leaving your appointment?

[Jeanniebug 473]

We discussed my surgical history and family history. We discussed my medical issues. We discussed my current diet and exercise (at that point in time). We discussed my previous weight loss efforts.

He asked me if I had been doing any research and if I had a particular surgery in mind. I told him I was interested in the RnY gastric bypass - he agreed and thought that surgery would be the best for me.

He gave me a print out of predictions for my comorbidities and weight loss, for the first year.

He told me what tests he would want me to have, before surgery. I needed a mammogram, an EGD, and a psych eval. He felt I was a low-risk for apnea, so I didn't need a sleep study. I'm also already under the care of a cardiologist and had fairly recently had an echocardiogram - so I didn't need to repeat that.

Because I had already done a ton of research, I really didn't have any questions, so the appointment was fairly quick.

After my appointment, the receptionist scheduled all of my nutrition visits for the following 6 months, and my pre-op appointment (the final appointment with the surgical team before surgery).

[kcuster83 1,504]

Mine was basically identical to @Jeanniebug except I did not need a mammogram although I already have them yearly so that may be why?

[SemperVeritas 35]

Thank you! I already learned something because it never even crossed my mind that I *might* need a mammogram. It helps to have that in mind as a possibility.

[ChubRub 1,702]

Mine started as a class with 4 or 5 other patients and a nurse who showed a power point, and went over insurance requirements, pre-op testing, and explained the difference between RNY and Sleeve surgeries, After the group session, we were called back individually to meet with the surgeon and nutritionist (got weighed, went over med history, etc). Was given a list of tests to get completed by the next visit, and I was off to the races! The staff was great and kept me very organized.

My initial consult was in Oct, and I had my surgery in Dec. I was lucky to be able to get all of my tests done quickly, which is how I was able to have surgery so fast.

Edited November 7, 2022 by ChubRub

[SemperVeritas 35]

@ChubRub Wow, was that quick timeline exciting or overwhelming? Did you get to know any of the other people who were in your class?

[ChubRub 1,702]

22 hours ago, SemperVeritas said:

@ChubRub Wow, was that quick timeline exciting or overwhelming? Did you get to know any of the other people who were in your class?

The timeline was definitely exciting! It got a little stressful the last week, b/c the hospital added a last minute requirement of a pulmonary function tests, but my surgeon's office was on top of it, and got me in to see a pulmonologist right away. As for the other people in my class....I never saw them again after that first day! LOL!!

[qtdoll 535]

My consultation was very simple/easy as my Dr was the one who brought up the surgery during an appointment about struggling with regular weight loss. We already knew I qualified. However the heavy stuff was in the 10 week class I was in (with Kaiser Permanente) they go over everything & anything! If you get the option to take classes, PLEASE take them, they are extremally helpful.

My initial appointment was in May of this year & my surgery was 5 months later in Sept!