Hi everyone,

I am new to all this and I'm not sure just how to go about it. I have my first doctors apt. tomarrow just to see if I am going to qualify for the surgery. Once you are qualified about how long does it take to actually get scheduled.

Do you have to be referred for the mental eval, through the doctor, or can I schedule the evaluation on my own.

That way I am one step closer when I do go back to the doctor? Also, Is it required to attend a seminar. The closest one in my area to me is over two hours away. One last question, Is there a certain liguid that is required. Sorry for all the questions, but I am new to this journey and this site has answered alot of questions for me. Judy

Hi Judy and welcome! It's kind of hard to answer your questions specifically because everyone's doctor and insurance situations are different. I can tell you what my experience was though. I had my first consultation with the surgeon Nov 8, 2006, got my surgery scheduled during the beginning of December, and finally had surgery Jan 22, 2007. So, not too bad of a wait. Because of my insurance, I did not have to have referrals to the psychologist, etc. My surgeon just wrote the scripts and off I went. My doc did require I go to a seminar, but I also live very nearby. Maybe your doc will help you with an alternative? Again, with the liquids, all docs have different rules. For me, I did four weeks of Optifast liquid and bars before surgery. After surgery, I did two weeks of full liquids, which included thin Soups, gatorade, juice, Water, milk, etc. I must say again -- these were my specific instructions from my doc. You should always follow the guidelines set by your doctor. Hope that helped!

Maria

To Juno610,

Thank you so much. I'll find out tomarrow when I go to the mu pcp.

Hi everyone,

I am new to all this and I'm not sure just how to go about it. I have my first doctors apt. tomarrow just to see if I am going to qualify for the surgery. Once you are qualified about how long does it take to actually get scheduled.

Do you have to be referred for the mental eval, through the doctor, or can I schedule the evaluation on my own.

That way I am one step closer when I do go back to the doctor? Also, Is it required to attend a seminar. The closest one in my area to me is over two hours away. One last question, Is there a certain liguid that is required. Sorry for all the questions, but I am new to this journey and this site has answered alot of questions for me. Judy

Once I was approved it took a couple days to get scheduled 1-2 weeks later. Typically the surgeon has a list of psych eval doctors. It wasn't madatory to go to a seminar. I use GNC's Protein shake. It has 25 grams of protein in it. Julie

Not sure if this will be read in time, but for my doctor, a seminar was mandatory. I had a friend set up an appointment through her doctor, and was told to not even keep the appointment unless she attended a seminar first.

I'm sure if you had to be at a seminar first, you would have been notified.

Mike

Thanks everyone. I was able to do an on-line seminar through the doctor I chose, now I have my psych eval. on Apr. 17, then I finally get to see the doctor. Hopefully this all goes quickly, within a month or two. I would like to be able to swim with my kids in the summer without waiting until it gets dark so the neighbors aren't outside.