Ok, so my first appointment is Monday 11/3 and I am trying to get all my ducks in a row.

I have seen other threads about this first visit but I have one question no one addressed....

Does the first visit include a physical examination? Because if I don't have to shave my legs, I'm not gonna!

But seriously, what exactly does it include? I assume it is a meet and greet where you go over surgery options, go over medical history, etc. but is there any blood work done or a physical?

I just like to know what to expect...even thought I am sure there are going to be a LOT of surprises in the months ahead, I am trying to be as prepared as I can be.

Also, is there anything you had wished you had asked in the beginning that you didn't?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Edited October 30, 201411 yr by Kiki2004

I am anxious to hear the answer to this. My first appointment is Wednesday, November 5.

I think the procedures vary from surgeon to surgeon. On my first visit, it was a very extensive meet and greet with a lot of individuals. This included, an insurance specialist, registration specialist, registered dietitian, behavioral health specialist, nurses and the surgeon. It also included a physical examination and an EKG.

Dont worry, i didnt shave either!

Edited October 31, 201411 yr by VSGPapi

One thing you could consider asking is how long the surgeon is contracted to be "in network" with your insurance provider. Albeit, you may not receive a direct answer. Also ask your surgeon if he will admit you to the hospital as "observation" instead of "inpatient". This impacts how the hospital bills - ultimately impacting how much you may owe - your hospital stay. "Observation" tends to be more cost effective.

Edited October 30, 201411 yr by VSGPapi

The first meeting varies from surgeon to surgeon. Mine was a general physical exam and going over the surgical options. He provided his recommendations as far as how he would like to see things proceed, but that the choices were ultimately mine. I later had to schedule appointments with the dietitian, phsycologist, and exercise physiologist to cover all the pre and post workout information and evaluations.

I would honestly recommend going prepared for anything. That way you are not surprised by what is asked of you. Best of luck! I am so excited for you. This is an amazing journey of dicovery and reclaiming your body. The next year or so will change your life!

LOL @ well i didn't shave and it was fine there was no physical...just a meet and greet and a discussion about which surgery would be best for me...i was hoping for the sleeve but he wants to do the bypass and since he is the expert i will go with his choice...now i just have to wrap my head around that surgery and not the sleeve...and in other news @@Jonathan Blue you are a bit of a celebrity at dr k's office sandy kept telling me to read your story, told her i had already bookmarked it!

@@Kiki2004 That is too funny. I am so glad that everyone is getting behind my story. My ultimate goal is to just be a guide and an inspiration to others like me. At the end of the day I am just some guy who made a choice to take back his life. If I can do it, you can too! If there is anything I can do to help you along on your journey please let me know. I do know that I will be taking over the January support group meeting to talk about my story and to maybe even do a cooking demo and answer questions.

PS They just posted an article on the FitBit website about my journey. I am trying to get as many people as I can to comment on the article. Right now the story with the most comments only has 40 and it been a year. I want to set the lofty goal of having 100 comments in two weeks. Would you be able to help me out with this? Please share it around and get as many people involved as you can!

Sorry I was a bit of a dum dum and forgot to post the link. Here it is:

http://blog.fitbit.com/fitbit-success-stories-jonathan-b/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=success%20stories%20jonathan%20b