Hi all,

I'm basically starting out on this adventure.

*I went to the mandatory seminar on 10/7.

*Visited with my PCP for the preauth/referral my insurance requires on 10/16.

*Had the psychological evaluation on 10/24.

There was a quick turnaround on that being sent to OSU. I was told 2 weeks, but they already sent it off. OSU called me today to set up the nutritionist and medical evaluations for 11/19.

If you went thru this at OSU Wexner Medical.....

What did the nutritionist/medical appointments include?

Is there a requirement for monitored dieting before they will schedule?

Are those classes...BLAST, Life after surgery, etc....required? Before surgery?

As much info as you can share about the program would be appreciated.

-CV

Hopefully they get you out and you stay out for the scope. I imagine waking up during that procedure would be a bit uncomfortable to say the least.

Have you had the test where they put a scope down your throat yet? I'm kind of scared!

I'm having that on Dec 9, and my surgery is the 29. My hubby had the scope done a year or so ago and he said it wasn't too bad. They do put you in twilight for it so you do t really know what they are doing.

I hope there's no issue with me bringing this topic back to life!

My PCP referred me to the OSU program. Mandatory seminar is in 4 days, and I was just wondering what to expect from there? I know I will have to fill out an application, and then it looks like a pysch eval? How did that go? Kind of nervous about it, I have anxiety (social) I really hope that doesn't fail me. Yikes. So very curious to find out more info about the program from others. There's so little solid info about it on their website - just tidbits. I'd love some rough idea of what I have in store. Required classes, tests?

Thanks so much for any info you can provide this curious pre-op!

Hi there! No problem at all!

I've been thru the who process at this point and am scheduled for surgery on 2/25. If you're on facebook, look up a group called "RNY (Gastric Bypass)"....it's a closed group. Very helpful.

A while back I did a Google search for info about OSU's program and found this link. Very good info!!

https://patienteducation.osumc.edu/_layouts/PatientEducation/Mobile/AtoZTopicDetail.aspx?t=Bariatric%20Surgery

By the way...your anxiety won't hold you back. I went to Dr Imar for the psych evaluation (he's one of the options). You talk to him for a bit about why you want to do this. There is a package he gets from OSU he's required to ask, so he just runs thru those questions, but I felt comfortable with him. After that, he gives you a scantron test with A-D options to fill in the bubbles with a pencil....about 360 questions, but you honestly will fly thru them. It's like "I feel sad when I'm alone."

He suggested in his evaluation that I get established with a psychologist for my depression and possible binge eating. So OSU isn't following up with me or anything about that, but they did mention it to me when they got the results (I got a copy in the mail as well). I've been seeing someone every few weeks since then. Your insurance may require you do see someone if he determines such. It's nothing to be worried about. Most of us going thru this do have some kind of anxiety.

Thanks so much for the info and encouragement, Spoonie! Good luck with your upcoming surgery, you're going to do awesome!

Hi Spoonie - hoping you're still around?
I am just starting the process - finished my psych eval yesterday with Dr. Kramer and really feeling anxious about the 1st appointment because I will be crushed if I'm assigned the 6 month nutrition program...I really don't want to delay this another 6 mos. It looks like you didn't have to do that -- do you have tips or tricks to make sure that my nutritionist doesn't assign that length?

I'd love to stay in touch with you too if you're willing to mentor!

Heya Jclumm!

Figured I'd respond since I got the notification but Spoonie may have additional insight!

It's your insurance that will dictate whether or not you have to have 6 months weight management (or classes) prior to surgery.

OSU only required that I take the Life After Surgery class. I took the condensed 4 in 1 class. Bout an hour and a half. $150.

My insurance, on the other hand, did require 6 months of "weight management" which meant weighing in monthly at my PCP. It flew by.

Thank you Monomo! I heard that OSU will sometimes require 3-6 months of the nutrition class (in addition to the Life After Surgery class) before they'll schedule the surgery - I have a friend who said this happened to him. My insurance requires 6 weight-related visits with a PCP, but they don't have to be consecutive. Patience is not one of my virtues but I'm glad to hear you report that it went by quickly. Are you post-op now?