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I got a call from the surgeons office (haven't met him or NUT yet) and they want me to come in and talk on the 15th and then surgery on the 28th!!!!! I've been researching for a while so I feel ok, but they don't know me. I for sure want to be scoped first just to make sure I don't have any existing ulcers or anything. (Years of diet coke, BC powders, and stress). Will there be time? Does this sound quick to anyone?

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Sounds quick to me but then my insurance required 3 months supervised "diet". I guess if they had not required that then it could have been that fast. But I don't see why you can't do all the labs and things within that timeframe.

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@@amyecpa That's really quick and I don't know how they can pull that off unless your a self pay patient.

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Sounds quick to me. I went in February 2014 for a Seminar. Started the paperwork and had the surgery on June 10th. That is with everything going smoothly and falling into place.

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I did all the tests required and it took me two months. I could have gotten sleeved in December but held off. I am scheduled for the 16th of this month.

If it was me I wouldn't rush it. I would do all the tests necessary, as you want your surgery to be as easy as possible.

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Oh sorry. Yes, I am self pay. I'm 5'4 and weigh 200. Even if my BMI were higher, my insurance doesn't cover WLS.

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That's fast but if you're self pay I can see why. I would still be a bit concerned about the pre-op testing. It was my understanding that those test weren't just to satisfy insurance regulations but also to make sure your body could handle the surgery. Although if you are self pay I guess you could get the test done in a week.

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@amyecpaNow that makes more sense!

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@@amyecpa If I would have Had the chance to do it sooner I would have. As far as time with the surgeon I only saw mine twice too through the whole 3 month process, once in the beginning and once a week before surgery. As far as the NUT mine was nice but she taught me nothing! Everything she told me (and I mean everything) I had already learned through my own research. The pre-op and post op diet where on paper so I didn't need her for that. Basically it was a waste of my 150+ bucks! I had to go for insurance purposes though and I know a lot of people learn a fair amount from theirs I just didn't. So all in all your basically getting what I had but in a much faster time frame! Good!

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I, too got in really soon, due to self-pay. I'm glad I did it, no regrets. Now is the time to make a huge list of your questions, so you're prepared for anything. This site is a good place to start. There are all kinds of theories on testing, Vitamins, stages, foods to eat/not eat.....Your doctor should be able to answer any questions you have. Use the search box for specific subject matter. Question everything you are uncertain about. Be satisfied before you commit. If you think you need scoping or other tests, ask why and why not. It's good you've been researching, you can't do enough of that! Ultimately, you make your own decisions on what you will experience, good luck to you!

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Being self pay got me in/out very quick. All good. Blood tests. One nutritional class after. ( not enough)

I would do it again In a ❤️beat. Good luck

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I only had the supervised diet and psych visit for the insurance approval. I got all my other testing done after the approval. Why have all the copays, coinsurance, endoscopy, etc... if the insurance isn't going to approve the surgery.

My labs and EKG were done 12/26, endo on 12/30, upper GI/barium swallow on 12/31. I am still waiting on my medical clearance. I am beginner to think the staff at the doctors are incompetent. They kept claiming they had only received the lab results. I kept explaining to them I know you have the psych eval since you submitted it to my insurance and that is how I got the approval. They finally got it from their corporate office.

You can get all of the pre-op tests quickly. I used an independent NUT but she was useless. A friend had the band surgery 5 years ago and the NUT her office recommended that is covered by her insurance was awful. So I am not sure that going to a NUT is the end all/be all.

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I think a nutritionist is good if it's a good one that is experienced in bariatric care. My nutritionist lead a very helpful class and has been a good sounding board. However prior to having WLS I saw 3 different nutritionist. Two were awful. One kept telling me to eat a little bit chicken. The only asked how long I had been a vegetarian and said she usually tries to talk people of out of it. The 3rd was lovely. She practiced a healthy blend of holistic and Western medicine and had no issues at all with plant based diets. Unfortunately she was also the most expensive and I had to stop seeing her.

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Sorry to ask this I'm new but what is a NUT ?

Nutritionist

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