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Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie and strongly considering getting the vertical sleeve. I have a few questions, but I'll start with the main one first. What are the doctors/exams you have to see/do for the surgery?? It seems like I have a good idea, but everytime I read a new post or watch a new video on youtube or go to a new forum, I get a different answer! I want to make sure I on the right path and don't want to go to doctors that I don't have to. I know I will get this information from my surgeon, but I would love to get a jump start on this if I can. I truly want to have this surgery this year.

This is what I have so far, as to who you have to see:

1. Psychologist

2. Pulmonary

3. Nutritionist

4. PCP

5. Labs

6. Upper GI

7. Stress test

8. Chest exam (is this the same as the upper GI?)

9. And of course, your surgeon

Am I in the ball park or way out in left field? I appreciate any and all help. TIA!! :D

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Every person on here will tell you something different because each surgeon and insurance company is different. It's possible you may need any number of the items on your list or maybe only one or two. Each insurance company and surgeon has different requirements. All my inusrance required was a three month diet, which could be doctor supervised or a diet plan such as Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. My surgeon required two visits with a therapist, a meeting with his dietitian and attendance at a support group meeting. Your best bet would be to check with both insurance and the surgeon prior to making any appointments. It would be a waste of your time and money to go to all kinds of appointments that are not required.

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Thanks so much dlpfiff!! I will definetly do that. I am trying to save my vacation time just in case everything goes well and I will have the sleeve within 3 to 6 months. I have Cigna and I will call them asap to find out....

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Like the other poster said... Make sure you contact your insurance company FIRST! Find out what THEY require in order for you to be approved. Some require a 3 or 6 month supervised diet with the surgeon's nutritionist, other insurances only require documentation that you've attempted to lose weight unsuccessfully (WW or Jenny). Honestly, all the other appts will be guided through your surgeon's office... ie: Psych Eval, Nutritionist, Upper GI, etc. There is no reason to make those appts w/out knowing if you're going to actually need them or not. So, please make sure you contact your insurance FIRST and then go from there!!

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Thanks so much StacyS! I will make sure to call my insurance company as soon as possible.

Like the other poster said... Make sure you contact your insurance company FIRST! Find out what THEY require in order for you to be approved. Some require a 3 or 6 month supervised diet with the surgeon's nutritionist, other insurances only require documentation that you've attempted to lose weight unsuccessfully (WW or Jenny). Honestly, all the other appts will be guided through your surgeon's office... ie: Psych Eval, Nutritionist, Upper GI, etc. There is no reason to make those appts w/out knowing if you're going to actually need them or not. So, please make sure you contact your insurance FIRST and then go from there!!

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Your pre-op tests (nearly all of those you listed) should be done no earlier than 30 days of your surgery or you will have to do them all over again. It is best to wait until you see your surgeon and schedule your surgery so you don't have to repeat. I don't know who in their right mind would want to do an Upper GI more than once... LOL.

Good luck with your process.

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    • Alisa_S

      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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      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.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

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

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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