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

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 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

    ×