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From first consult to surgery..



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Hey guys, so I'm one week away from my first consult with my surgeon. Just wondering after that how many more appointments and steps there are. Thanks x

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I was cash pay, went for the consult on a tues and had surgery the following thurday

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I was self pay also and only had a nutrition consult then I was able to schedule surgery. Good luck!!

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Oh wow! I am having my first consult next Tuesday and I'm self pay as well. That is actually great news that the surgery could happen that quickly!

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Self pay should be quick because there are no insurance hoops to jump through. I went for insurance (BCBS Fed).

My first consultation was Oct 14, had 3 more appointments in Nov, Dec, and Jan. Last consultation was Jan 14, insurance approval letter Jan 22, surgery scheduled for this Thursday the 21st.

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how many steps and appts you need, varies based on self pay or insurance, which insurance company (some have more requirements then others) and the surgeon themselves..they also have varied requirements. This first consult should give you a majority of that information tho so u will know better what to expect.

Good Luck!

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I had what felt like 1000 appointments. I tried to go through insurance, but was denied, so I ended up being self-pay. I had to see a pulmonary doc, psych, nutritionist, endochrinologist, heart doc...I think that's it.

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Wow Kah! Even through self pay you had to go through that? That's rough. I are the doctor for the first time next Tuesday. I'm hoping to schedule the surgery fairly quickly after.

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It also depends were you live. Here in Canada the process is very long if you go through medicare. From the 1st consultation to date of surgery it was 3 years for me. Getting banded march 25th. In those 3 years I had about 20 consultations with the NUT and Kinesiologist, about 2 sets of blood work, apnea test, heart, gastroscopy, anesthesist, etc. It feel like I had something about every 1 1/2 - 2 months. BUT i know this is necessary so its all worth it...

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I am doing self pay and I'm in Florida. I really can't wait to talk to the doctor and find out the procedure before surgery.

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I was cash pay' date=' went for the consult on a tues and had surgery the following thurday[/quote']

Im cash pay as well, I was wondering about that, did you do a psychological test? Or is that an insurance thing? My first appointment in Feb 26th I'm hoping to get surgery sometime in March, I hope it's possible.

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Im cash pay as well, I was wondering about that, did you do a psychological test? Or is that an insurance thing? My first appointment in Feb 26th I'm hoping to get surgery sometime in March, I hope it's possible.

nope, i didnt need any test, only thing was they wanted me to start drinking like 3 or 4 Protein Shakes a day until surgery. All that testing and things like that are only required by insua\rnce companies

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I'm insurance paid, however my surgeon required a psych test, cardiologist apt, and a breathing specialist visit for ALL patients as they won't operate unless you have all those clearances! This gave me a lot of peace if mind b/c it made me feel like my surgeon was VERY thorough & not just trying to turn & burn procedures to make money! My first apt was in Oct, I'm scheduled for Surgery next month, my choice, I could have done it this month (my Dr schedules a month out). If they have openings for a few days later for surgeries I'd be worried, good surgeons are in high demand and therefor have about a month wait!

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I'm insurance paid, however my surgeon required a psych test, cardiologist apt, and a breathing specialist visit for ALL patients as they won't operate unless you have all those clearances! This gave me a lot of peace if mind b/c it made me feel like my surgeon was VERY thorough & not just trying to turn & burn procedures to make money! My first apt was in Oct, I'm scheduled for Surgery next month, my choice, I could have done it this month (my Dr schedules a month out). If they have openings for a few days later for surgeries I'd be worried, good surgeons are in high demand and therefor have about a month wait!

I higly doubt that true results is a "turn and burn" since they are #1 in the us. I did have to get a surgery clearance from my primary but didnt have to jump thur any insurance required hoops and Im doing just fine no complications.

Im just saying

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Thanks so much for all your info guys!! I'm going to be covered by insurance so assuming mine may take a little longer than the cash ones :) I'm also in australia. Anyone here from down under and can give some input? X

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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