Went to my mandatory seminar last night and have my consult appt for Friday the 18th! Got two of my biggest questions answered and feeling VERY positive!!! Bring on the clearance appts!

Congrats! I just started last month..5 to go.

I have my psych eval in 3wks, then my surgicalclass and I hope surgery in sept. Keep at it the time goes by fairly fast.

Slight change...appt changed to the 25th. So happy to finally be starting!

Congratulations on your first huge step. The time goes by fast (even though you think it is dragging). You will look back in amazement. I have started my two week pre-op diet, surgery is July 21st, and I cannot believe how the time has flown by. I had my seminar Jan 21 and six months to the day - I am having surgery. I am so thankful for everything (except for this headache from the diet).

Best of luck to you.... stay strong!

I'm hoping to have mine in the fall. Dietician appt in Aug. Not sure what other appts I'll. Need yet.

My insurance required

psych eval...colonoscopy (because I am 50)....upper GI....heart doctor...lung doctor (i have asthma)..sleep study (2 - because they found I had sleep apnea) ....x rays....blood work (3 times)...as well as 6 nutrition/dietitian visits

I got everything over and done with as soon as possible just in case something came up (like the sleep apnea).

It's an amazing process...

I'm hoping to have mine in the fall. Dietician appt in Aug. Not sure what other appts I'll. Need yet.

Many variations depending on insurance requirements and surgeon. I have to do 6 months of monthly pcp consults due to insurance. Everything else could actually get done in a few weeks...but I am spreading themout over time. I had my gallbladder out a few months ago so test/ results.

I have an appt with my pcp next week for the letter of necessity. I wonder if its ok yo call the Bariatric coordinator tomorrow for a list ofexacyly what I need so I can get referrals and get this started?

I have an appt with my pcp next week for the letter of necessity. I wonder if its ok yo call the Bariatric coordinator tomorrow for a list ofexacyly what I need so I can get referrals and get this started?

You could ask but they gave me all the written scripts and referrals at the first appt.

You could ask but they gave me all the written scripts and referrals at the first appt.

Thanks I didn't think of that!

My insurance required

psych eval...colonoscopy (because I am 50)....upper GI....heart doctor...lung doctor (i have asthma)..sleep study (2 - because they found I had sleep apnea) ....x rays....blood work (3 times)...as well as 6 nutrition/dietitian visits

I got everything over and done with as soon as possible just in case something came up (like the sleep apnea).

It's an amazing process...

My preop appts included Upper GI, Gallbladder Ultrasound, Hida Scan, Chest X-Ray, EKG, Gastroenterologist, Sleep Study, Psych Eval, and nutrition appointments. Had blood work done in March and pretty sure I'll need one more round.

My preop appts included Upper GI, Gallbladder Ultrasound, Hida Scan, Chest X-Ray, EKG, Gastroenterologist, Sleep Study, Psych Eval, and nutrition appointments. Had blood work done in March and pretty sure I'll need one more round.

What's a hida scan?

My preop appts included Upper GI, Gallbladder Ultrasound, Hida Scan, Chest X-Ray, EKG, Gastroenterologist, sleep Study, Psych Eval, and nutrition appointments. Had blood work done in March and pretty sure I'll need one more round.

What's a hida scan?

It shows how well your gallbladder is working. Some surgeons actually will remove the gallbladder during wls because of high frequency of gallstones with big weight loss. Mine doesn't bother with it but I already had mine out.

Hmmm three years ago I had a bothersome kidney stone and during the various tests they said I had gallstones. Guess that may be added to the list.

I also feel like my journey is finally beginning! I went to the required seminar back in May, but it has taken this long to get proof of insurance coverage, then to get my letter of commitment, and FINALLY, my first consultation with the nurse practitioner on Friday. I apparently won't see the surgeon until after I meet all the pre-op criteria and get insurance approval. I did get to speak to one of the surgeons in the bariatrics group after the seminar. My husband and I stayed after as my hubby had some questions about one of the slides the Dr. had shown. He (the doc) was wonderful about answering all our questions. While he couldn't get into personal info while others were there due to the privacy act, once we were the only ones left, he was more than willing to discuss what I could do ahead of all the appointments. So, I already have copies of my mammogram, pap smear, and colonoscopy reports.(Luckily for me, I had had all of them done already and within the time frame needed) I started the six month insurance required weight loss. I apparently don't have to lose a set amount, just not have a net gain at the end. I was looking over my medical records and realized that I had seen my PCP right at a month before I started all this and I'm hoping that I can count that visit as the start and be a month ahead! I do know that I will have to attend at least one "Lifestyle Change" class and those are only held once a month. Of course, it's the night BEFORE my appointment, but I'm going to go anyway, even if it doesn't count as the required class. I don't figure it can hurt and might just help. Plus there is a support group meeting afterwards that I'm looking forward to. So,come Friday, I will feel like I am finally making progress and be on my way to becoming a member of the WLS Club!!