Going through Approval Process in Israel

[Swisskaese 7]

I am trying to be patient and trying to arrange my appointments as quickly as possible before the Jewish Holiday season begins.

I had my initial consultation on 1 Sept. I had booked the appointment two months before. I met with an endrochronoligist at the hospital where I will hopefully have the surgery and he looked at my history and bloodwork results from five months ago. He said that I was an excellent candidate for the surgery. He gave me a letter to take back to my GP and instructed the GP to arrange for more bloodwork, a 24-hour urine test, an ultrasound, an x-ray of my esophagus and stomach, and the psych exam.

I am doing the blood work tomorrow and the lab will give me the 24-hour urine kit.

I have my ultrasound on 15 Sept.

Unfortunately, I can't do the Psych exam until 7 October. And, I am still waiting to find out when I can have the xray.

After all of the tests are finished, I have to make another appointment to see the endochronologist and the surgeon at the same time. They will then tell me if they agree to do the surgery and hopefully set a date.

I am really hoping I can have the surgery before the end of the year.

[Swisskaese 7]

I have passed all of my tests and have been waiting two weeks for approval from the administrative doctor from my HMO. They told me it takes two to three weeks to get an answer from them.

When I get the approval, then I can make an appointment to speak with the surgeon and set a date. Please keep happy thoughts for me.

[Luv2scuba 0]

Good luck, i hope you hear something soon!

Pat

[ShiraSimcha 0]

I can't wait to hear where you are in your process!

[Luv2scuba 0]

Lets see, i've seen the surgeon, completed my 6 month diet, have my stress test next week. The surgeons office is making appts for chest x-ray, blood work and ekg. I have an appt with the nutrionist. And i need to make an appt with a pschologist. Surgeon says i will be having surgery in Jan. Can't wait!

Pat

[Swisskaese 7]

That is great! Good luck with all of your tests.

I just heard today that I have been approved for the surgery, provided I go and have one more test on my thyroid. I have been on thyroid medication for one month and have to test it, go back to my endocrinologist, who will hopefully give me the green light to see the surgeon to set a date. I am getting my blood work done this coming Sunday and have an appointment with the endocrinologist on 14 December.

[Swisskaese 7]

I have completed all of my tests and found out I have Hashimoto Thyroiditis in the process.

And, I have good news!!!! I was finally approved for the surgery. Now, I can make an appointment to speak to the surgeon about my surgery date. I am getting excited.

[Swisskaese 7]

I am so frustrated. I just found out that I have to go to 4 nutritionist appointments before they will let me meet with the surgeon to arrange my surgery date. It looks like this will take another month before I can set a date.

My first appointment is next week.

[ichthyology 0]

Yofey..... (bad transliteration).

It can be a long process. I am on the fourth month of of the process. I have a surgery fdate set for 11 Feb.....

By the way, I love Israel. I conducted research in Eilat for many years....It surely has changed since I started going in the mid 80's.

Toda raba.....

[hdsantoni 0]

Hang in there.......It is really strange how the insurances very soooo much, and they are all governed by the same ministry!!! I told my PCP that I wanted the band. She gave me a referal to the surgeon. 2 weeks later I met with him, 2 1/2 weeks after that I had a surgery date. No meeting with a diet specialist (except for in the hospital after surgery), nothing. Everyone has to have blood drawn, ekg and a chest x-ray....that is just part of pre-op.

If you have to wait.......wait. It is well worth it. My body went into starvation mode, with the Clear Liquids for a week after and I passed out. Then was allowed to finally drink something thicker that gave me nutrients. At my 2 week check-up he cleared me to eat food food. Since all that, my body decided not to loose any more weight till now. Now it is starting to come off again. It is such and good feeling.....hang in there, it is sooooooo worth all the balagone! You will have your surgery soon!!!

[Swisskaese 7]

Thanks everyone for all the good wishes.

Mazel tov hdsantoni on your surgery and 30lb loss. That is great.

I have my first appointment with the Chief Nutrionist for Meuchedet tomorrow. I am happy that they do not take this surgery lightly. I am hoping I can convince her that I don't need four meetings prior to the surgery. But, we will see. I will be meeting with a nutritionist at the hospital, too. So, maybe this will ease their mind.

Not only are the kupat holim different, but even some of the different regional branches have different acceptance rules. In that respect, it is not much different from the States.

Edited December 23, 2008 by Swisskaese

[hdsantoni 0]

Thanks.....I think one of the biggest things to overcome after surgery is "head hunger". Your tummy may be full, but your head says munchies. That is when I get myself busy with something else, take a walk, hang laundry, etc. Keeping busy has helped a lot. Good luck and keep us posted!

[Swisskaese 7]

I just came back from speaking with the chief nutritionist and she agreed that I need the surgery. She gave me a letter of reference and now I will go back to my insurance clinic, get the sign off to make an appointment to speak to a surgeon and set my surgery date.

I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel.:thumbup:

[Swisskaese 7]

I finally had my appointment with the surgeon at Ichilov. He is very nice and explained everything to me. No pre-diet, one week liquids, one week soft foods, and then gradually add regular food. I will be staying at the hospital overnight and then he said I could go to work in 2-3 days.

They are going to call me to tell me my surgery date. I am really getting excited!

[hdsantoni 0]

Good Luck! I hope all goes well for you and you have a quick recovery. I was down about a week after surgery. I did go shopping for about and hour and was sooooo tired. Let us know when your surgery is.