First Seminar Tomorrow @ 6:30pm

[Kat56 0]

Hello Everyone!

I have been reading your forum for quite awhile. Finally, now that it is the eve of my first seminar, I decided to join this wonderful forum.

I am a bit confused as to how many steps it will take for me to get a surgery date. I do know that I can make an appointment with my surgeon after I have attended tomorrow night's seminar. That is all that I was told on the telephone.

My family doctor told me to call quickly because there's alot to do before surgery, can anyone estimate the time between the first seminar and their surgery?

Thank you for reading my post.

Kat

[Enchanted 2]

Welcome Kat!

It's been about six months between first weigh-in and seminar until my surgery date (April 30).

My surgeon (Dr. Peter Kwon / Tri-State Bariatrics in Middletown, NY) requires lots of pre-op activity....

* upper GI

* visit with dietician

* clearance from primary physician

* gastro clearance

* cardio clearance

* visit an informational website (Emmi)

* psychometric test

* behavioral evaluation

* two support groups

* lose 5% of current weight

Whew!

There was a woman at one of the support groups who said she got everything done within a month. I travel quite a bit for my job, but I was doing something every month of that time.

I'm glad I only have two weeks to go!

-Christine

[MSG's_SGM 0]

Hi Kat,

It will have taken me 6 months by the time I have surgery on May 29th. I was so sad and frustrated yesterday, because in everything I read, people said it took them two-six weeks. I have everything done. I had it ALL done in a matter of two weeks, but my doctor is over booked. He has me waiting another 10 weeks after my approval. I rationalize this by saying my doctor does so many I should be in good hands. I have been fat for 15 years, so what is another 10 weeks...5 now. I think there are so many variables that no one can tell you what to expect. Good luck and God speed.

[kathystrick 3]

There is really no set time frame. Self pay people tend to get done sooner than insurance people, I would assume because they don't have to wait for approval. It also depends on the requirements of your surgeon and insurance company as far as testing, diet, etc. Like someone else said, if you've been fat ____ years, what is a few more weeks?

Good luck!

[Kat56 0]

Thank-you to Christine, Donita and Kathy for your replies. You all have really helped alot. I've been waiting three weeks just for my first seminar, which is tonight at 6:30pm, I was told that I can make an appointment with my surgeon after the seminar so I assume that then is when I will find out what my protocol will be, depending on my surgeon, my insurance company and if he has a waiting list. This has helped me alot, big thanks to all of you! I am excited about becoming a "real" part of the forum, which will be after I have completed my seminar!!!

Kat

[Ruby124 0]

Hi...This is my first post. I have been lurking since November. I went to two different seminars with two seperate doctors. I am in the process of getting all my dodtor appointments done so I can meet with the surgeon. I hope to be ready to do that in early May. I want to plan on having surgery in July.

Enchanted I live in Orange County, NY. I went to my second seminar in Middletown, NY with Dr. Daniel Davis who will perform surgery from Valley Health Hospital in New Jersey.

Nice meeting you all.

[kathystrick 3]

Once you go to the seminar, then make that first appointment, things seem to move along pretty quickly. Good luck!