I have made my final decision to have the sleeve surgery. I am anxious but really hopeful and praying that this will be the final thing that actually works after a lifetime of trying to lose weight!

I'm hoping to have the surgery in November. I might have left it a little late. However I was just wondering what you all had to do in preparation for the surgery? What did your surgeons require that you do before you could have the surgery? I know that I probably have to have a nutrition evaluation and training session, psych evaluation, medical testing, information sessions. What else? How long did everything take you. If I get started now do you think I can get everything done in just a few months? I have already been on restrictive diets and very strict diets for a long period of time so I don't think that I need that requirement since my doctors know about the diet I have been on.

I really, really hope I can get this done by end of November.

Edited August 26, 201510 yr by BHopeful

Just realized I posted this in the wrong section. Is there a way to change where this is posted?

@@bhopeful Hello! Everyone's requirements are different based on insurance/surgeons, but I had to do the following:

6 months of consecutive weigh ins with PCP and/or Nutritionist

1 Surgery Seminar, 1 Diet Class, 1 Support Group (Surgeon requirements)

A Psych Eval

Nutritionist Consult

An Upper Endoscopy

A gallbladder/abdominal ultrasound

A Pap Smear

A Chest XRay (done closer to surgery date because they expire)

An EKG (also done closer to surgery date because they expire)

Blood Work - a lot!

H. Pylori breath test

I did as many of these prerequisites as I could as early as I could, and kept only the Xray and the EKG until the end. I am scheduled for surgery on September 2nd. It was a long journey, but I'm finally at the end of the tunnel

I also started the liquid pre-op diet two weeks earlier than scheduled to be as proactive as possible with liver shrinkage and pre-op weight loss, and am down almost 19 pounds. Probably more since my last weigh in on the 17th.

Good luck on your journey! Can't wait to hear how things progress for you

Edited August 26, 201510 yr by Nikikins

Everyone's plan is different.

I had to do the following:

• 3 months of consecutive weigh ins
• Lose 5 pounds
• A Psych Evaluation
• Three months seeing the dietician
• An EKG (at pre-op)
• 5 phone counseling sessions
• Get my A1C under 9.0
• Stop snacking completely

This was for a by-pass. It took me four months to complete everything before the surgeon would submit to insurance. Then I was denied. The surgeon submitted an appeal 30 days later and I was accepted.

It took me an entire year.

Seminar on Weight Management

Seminar on Intro to Bariatric Surgery

Pre Program Labs and EKG

One on one meeting with head of Bariatric Program

24 weeks of classes

24 weekly weigh ins

24 weekly food journals

Requirement to lose 10% of weight

Fitness Test

Post Program Labs and EKG

Psych Evaluation

Clearance by Internist

Surgeon's Seminar

Support Group

Surgical Consult

PREP Appointment at hospital

I'll tell you something though. I'd do it all again in a second! ????