Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

What happens when you meet the surgeon for the first time?



Recommended Posts

Hi everyone, I know each practice is different and the initial appointment for some would be done with a nurse, but for me the initial appointment for assessment etc is done with the surgeon himself. The appointment it's self is 45 mins long and by the end of it i will either get a decline or set a surgery date.

If i get approved in this appointment I will then proceed with dietitian appointment and possibly a psych appointment and another follow up with the surgeon etc

My initial make-it or break-it appointment is on Wednesday, and I'm just so nervous i'm going to blow it as i'm borderline on the acceptance criteria, can anyone give me any hints or tips whats involved normally?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my first face-to-face with my surgeon on Friday. Right before seeing him I was weighted, blood pressure taken. I was given a folder with information about the process, starting with the first surgical appointment and then a checklist of tests to get and nutrition/psych evals etc. Then when I was with the surgeon, he asked me questions about my medical history, we talked a bit about the surgery that I'm interested in (the sleeve), and then he left a ton of time for me to ask any questions I might have. I've read up so much on this procedure and his webinar was so informative that I had very few questions. That's about all we did on this first appointment. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

First appointment was not bad at all. You will get your blood pressure and vitals taken and then you will get your weight and height completed. Then you will talk to the surgeon and he will go over your options. My surgeon asked me what surgery I thought I might want to have and then he suggested his opinion based off of my medical history and weight. He also gave me time to ask questions. He was very nice and understanding and it was very laid back. I was nervous going into it but felt so good when I left knowing that this was the start to my new journey. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I met with my surgeon to be for the first time on Saturday.

I attended a seminar on Saturday and afterwards those who were seriously interested in had their initial consult with the surgeon afterwards. I met with him for about 30 minutes after the seminar. (Before the seminar I was weighed, vitals taken, etc.) He told me that based on my insurance requirements I was eligible for surgery, all that I needed was a psych eval. He told me I would be a great candidate for either the sleeve or RnY procedure.

The nurse came in after he had left with some additional information for me to read over, told me that the insurance/patient advocate would be contacting me by Tuesday or Wednesday and told me that if I wanted to complete my psych eval right then and there that I could do that. (Which I opted to do and was so thankful for.. no time to stress over and worry about it!)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×