First steps

[juno5 30]

I have my first appt June 15th. I can't wait! This is all I think about. I have bought 2 books. Read 1 which is how I found this group and now starting another. But my question is what should I expect at my appt? I was told 1 hour with the RN and 1 hour with the nutritionist. I'm a bundle of nerves here. I'm sure my husband and my parents (who are very supportive) are going to become annoyed with me soon. Also, anything I should be asking my ins about? I know it is covered. I know my surgeon is in my network. Anything else to ask? How do I find out the total cost of everything? I'm almost as nervous/excited about this possibility of a new hope as much as I was when I had my first child!

[Miss Mac 6,261]

Make sure you ask your doctor about pain management. I had heard a lot on this forum about painful shoulder gas. I asked my doctor what he does about that. He said that he does indeed inflate the abdominal cavity with CO2 to facilitate the movement of his surgical instruments.

Then he said that he extracts as much of the CO2 as possible, before closing up. When I woke up, I had no (as in none, zero, zip, nada) shoulder gas at all, which made my recovery very easy and nearly pain free. It is a crying shame that all surgeons don't do this. The entire experience would be so much better for their patients if they extended that one courtesy.

[juno5 30]

I will make sure to ask about that specific thing! Thank you Miss Mac. ????

[Debbie Jean 406]

What does my insurance require? For example bmi, comorbidities, psych eval, etc. Every insurance is different. While yours covers WLS find out what the doc needs to submit to get approval. I had a bmi of 48+ and a laundry list of comorbidities so approval was never really an issue. But there are hoops to jump through all the same.

What does the doctor require? Mine required a sleep study. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and had to have it treated before my doc would schedule surgery.

Will you stay overnight in the hospital and for how long?

Is there a preop diet? Mine was 2 weeks which is pretty common. There is, however, wide variation from a month to none. For many people this is actually the hardest part of the process LOL

How long before I can be scheduled for surgery? Some schedule before full approval if they don't anticipate any delays on the way. Many wait until after the actual approval is given by your insurance. Ask if they can project when your surgery might be.

My best advice is to read read read! But for actual specifics call your nutritionist or surgeon. While folks here can tell you their experience you need to follow the guidelines YOUR team sets out for you. For example search the forums for "coffee". It doesn't matter whether my surgeon allows it on discharge after surgery... what matters is YOUR surgeon

I'm 62 years old and at only 5' I'm down 70 lbs in 5 months. I have discovered a life I thought I had lost forever. For all the struggle it is sooooo worth it. Best wishes on your journey ????