I would like to know how your doctor's office handled setting appointments to see your weight loss doctor. I am asking because I am a new patient with this doctor. After I had my first appointment, I called later in the week to set up my next appointment, and was asked to hold. The next thing I hear on the phone is a voice mail greeting telling me I had reached the voice mail of the dietician.

I called back and said I wanted to make an appointment with the doctor and asked why I was transferred to the dietician. I was again told to hold and then another person answered the phone. When I asked her to whom I was speaking, she informed me she was the program director.

When I would call my lap doctor for an appointment, the office staff would give me an appointment.

So I am wondering what was your experience when you set up your appointments. I just find this process a little strange. Is this the normal procedure for most weight loss doctor's offices

Thanks.

every doctor has their own set of rules. BEFORE I saw the actual doctor I was weighed, bp tested, talked to a nut, account manager and THEN the doctor came in so it depends on the dr procedure. You may want to ask what happens after your initial appointment to get the feel of things. GOOD LUCK

I am given an appointment right after my appointment.

I am still at the beginning stages, and I've seen my surgeon twice already. Apparently they say I will see him at every appointment. It was a little weird though because we had already covered everything I thought at our first meeting, so the second time he came in 45 minutes after I met with my dietician... he woke me up when he opened the door so I was a little taken by the entire thing.. then he sat down and asked if I had any questions for him. I guess I should be happy that he wanted to talk to me... but um.. it took him so long I was napping LOL

I had to attend an orientation class first, then go through all my pre-op testing, and only then, the week before the surgery, did I meet my actual surgeon. It was a different experience for me, but I guess it saves the surgeon's time by only meeting with patients who are fully qualified and ready for surgery. The bariatric coordinator answered all my (numerous) questions.

I went to the seminar, then they set up my first apt to get my history, weight, blood pressure , and about seven tubes of blood. They then set up my first apt with the surgeon which is on the 22 August. I still have to see the nut, nutritionist 90 days, EDG, Pap, Mammogram, and records from my primary care doc.

I am just getting started.

5'5

239

BMI 39

PCP referral... Mandatory seminar... Tons of paperwork... Patient navigator did insurance contacting, gave me my requirements for surgery... Met surgeon. All in about a 2 week period of time.

After every appointment my doc schedules my next appointment before I leave. Even if its 3 months away. Makes it so much easier than remembering to call at a later date.