I am wondering after reading so many posts, if there is any particular order that one goes through to get to the banding part? Like, what are the steps? Does anyone know what steps go first. I read some see a shrink, some go to a dietitian, some do a sleep study and some go to how many consultations? Or, is it just different on everyone depending on the Dr... thanks....

It's different depending on the doctor, and it's also different depending on whether it is paid for by insurance or by your self. If insurance pays you need to jump through the hoops they set up (in the order they want). If you are self-pay you can usually skip the steps you don't want to take (but some doctors have their own hoops even if you are self-pay).

It really does vary by doctor, and even patient to patient in a given practice. Depends on things like your medical history and such.

For example, DH and I had the same surgeon. I was required to do a sleep test, he wasn't. It was based on BMI and reports from each other, IE I snore and he'd noticed I stopped breathing, I hadn't noticed that from him.

My Dr. held an informational seminar which covered the basics. Then if we were still interested we set an appointment to have a one on one consultation. While I waited for my consultation, I arranged for my financing. At the consultation we were given a brief physical exam and given scripts to see a nutritionist, get a psych eval, upper GI, gallbladder ultrasound, and TSH & H. Pylori blood tests. If there were indicators of cardiac issues a cardiac clearance would also have to conducted. The next step is to get the tests done. Upon receiving my results, I will schedule my surgery. Hope that helps!

Hey MCOBandita - I like your ticker!

Depends on your surgeon, how extensive their program is, and what your personal medical history indicates. And what your insurance company's requirements are, or if you're self pay.

My "big picture" looked kind of like this:

Go to info seminar

Fill out surgeon's paperwork

Submit medical records along with paperwork

Wait for notice of pre-approval

Upon notice of pre-approval, get list of things to do from coordinator:

1. Attend one support group meeting pre-op
   
2. Psychologist visits (number of visits TBD by psychologist)
   
3. Lab work
   
4. Chest x-ray
   
5. Meet w/ dietician for overview
   
6. Meet w/ bariatric coordinator for education session
   
7. Meet w/ surgeon for consultation, which is also when surgery date was selected

Numbers 1 - 7 occured in no particular order. I got in when I could get in, and did the things that didn't require much appointment notice in between. I ended up having my admittance work done 3 days before surgery, and my last psychologist visit the day before.

If I'd had comorbidities, there might have some additional steps for testing - e.g. sleep study, etc. If my insurance company had required 6 mo medicaly supervised diet, there would have been a step for that. Which is why there is no one "this is how you do it" approach.

Best of luck!

Hey MCOBandita - I like your ticker!

Thanks! :biggrin1: When I saw yours I had to get one just like it. Growing up in FL we used to go watch the sea turtles come in each year and lay their eggs. I used to love to "write" my name on the sea turtle's phosphorous coated shell as they were going back into the sea - it would glow when the waves crashed on them! It was alway a great experience and I remember looking forward to it each year.

Thanks! :biggrin1: When I saw yours I had to get one just like it. Growing up in FL we used to go watch the sea turtles come in each year and lay their eggs. I used to love to "write" my name on the sea turtle's phosphorous coated shell as they were going back into the sea - it would glow when the waves crashed on them! It was alway a great experience and I remember looking forward to it each year.

How cool!!

I did mine shortly after returning from a trip to Hawaii. Reminded me of it, even though we didn't see any turtles up close.