Newbie:Consultation Questions

[mm16 0]

I am new to this and have never written in so I hope I am doing this correctly!

I have my consultation two weeks from today and am hoping that everything goes well to be able to have the sleeve surgery done just after school in June. I am very anxious, excited, and nervous. Quite honestly weight loss surgery is almost the only thing I can think about during the day.

What do I need to expect for my consultation? I have some anxiety in this area because I do not know what to expect. What is to be expected on this day? Do things move quickly or will it go pretty slow after the consultation. I read on another post that someone's consultation took 4 hours. What happens that is going to be that long? If you can share your experiences I think that will help me feel more at ease and maybe my mind can take a break and just wait for the day to get here.

BTW, I am going to be going with insurance instead of out of pocket. I talked to the doctor's office and they said that my insurance just requires me to have a BMI over 40 (which I am at 43) so I assume that shouldn't be any issue. Does the insurance party go pretty fast or not so much?

I would appreciate any insight or experiences greatly. There is so much emotion attached to this and the unknown is so difficult!

~Mary

[knitlil09 91]

I'm in the same boat. My consult is April 25th mainly because I am using a doctor in a different city and I happen to have vacation scheduled that week. I don't see why a consultation should take that long and it certainly wasn't mentioned when I set the appt up, but maybe someone else that had been through it can elaborate. That being said, I'm sure every doctor is different.

Good luck!

[Recycled 2,182]

Unless the Surgeon is planning on adopting you, I doubt he will spend more than a few minutes reviewing your needs and answering your questions.

However, most surgeons have coordinators that will spend time going over all the testing, appointments, pre-op, paperwork, releases, schedules etc, etc. That could take quite a while. And let's not forget the usual endless wait in the waiting room.

You might want to compile a list of questions to ask the Surgeon so your mind doesn't go blank during those precious few minutes, only to flood you with "I should have asked him" stuff later. I did a post on a similar thread a while back listing a bunch of typical questions. I'll try to find it and link it here.

Whatever the time spent during the consult, you'll have plenty of time to go over any concerns you have with your Surgeons office before surgery.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/301841-starting-my-new-journey-%F0%9F%98/

Edited April 2, 2014 by Recycled

[tnpeach 41]

My first visit was a little over 4 hours. I had Labs drawn (17 vials), I saw the NUT and the Nurse that coordenates everything. I have to have clearances from Pulmonary, Cardiac, Medical (PCP) and Psychology. Then there are more test, upper GI, EKG, Chest Xray. Now the Pulmonary will not sign off without sleep study.

Once all of these come back they will then schedule (if I qualify) for surgary. Nothing is fast.

[mm16 0]

Wow! I guess four hours makes sense with labs and that many meetings with people I guess I should call and find out if that is how mine will go? Did you have to fast for the blood work and tests?

[tnpeach 41]

Since my appt was first thing in the morning. I did fast just in case they could do the blood at that time. My thought was try to get one thing off my list of things to do,. lol

[Megan00 38]

My 1st consultation was maybe 1 month ago

They went over the surgery that I want to have

I met with the doctor at this point you can ask any question you like

Then I was given a check list of the things that I need to have done

- 6 month wait (I have BCBS Federal)

- Nut, ekg, blood work, sleep study etc....... (they didn't do any test on me at all I have to get them done on my own and have them fax to the office)

- they took my weight

So its fair to say I am a newbie as well so I will be following this post

[HHHappy 225]

I attended a seminar first. My first appointment was about 4 hours. I had to fill out paperwork, take a psychological test, meet with psychologist, meet with nutritionist, meet with nurse, then the doctor. The doctor went over what tests he required. I did not have any blood work done on this day...that came later. The insurance coordinator went over the requirements that I had to meet for Aetna.

[elfnow 277]

Be prepared for your surgery to have a three- or six-month requirement of doctor-supervised diet/exercise also... So you may be delayed in your surgery plans. As for all the requirements, it depends on your surgeons office and how they schedule. the first appointment might be 20 minutes and then they schedule the NUT visit / lab work / everything..... Or they might do it first.... The best thing is to call them and just ask, "how long should I plan to be in the office that day?"

Best wishes on your journey!!!

[mm16 0]

Great information everyone! Thanks so much. I will call them tomorrow to find out what I should do to prepare. It sounds like every doctor/insurance has their own way of doing things!

[septappt 74]

Every office is going to be different but asking any questions you can think of is the best thing. Even if it's an embarrassing one ask it because I'm sure they've heard worse.....lol

Also do research on the Internet to come up with questions, maybe about something you don't understand. My office required me to go to 3 pre op bariatric support groups. Very very informational ! You also can ask a ton of questions there too and no one is there judging you. Good luck too you and this wonderful journey!!

[hcabrooks197 20]

Since my appt was first thing in the morning. I did fast just in case they could do the blood at that time. My thought was try to get one thing off my list of things to do,. lol

I wish I would have thought of that! I have about 4 pages of questions I want to ask. I still dont know which surgery I want.