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First consultation in 2 days! Help

cookiefierce

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cookiefierce    1

cookiefierce
Posted

Hello there I'm new to this. I have my first pre op consultation on tuesday at 10 am.

I have no Idea what to excpect. I've been looking into weight loss surgery for a year now.

I live in California and have MediCal/IEHP just yo get approved for a consultation my Dr. Submitted a severe apnea test and 2 months of weight watchers. Will that count to get approved for surgery sooner?

Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

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crazygoose    190

crazygoose
Posted

Hello welcome to bariatricpal! Everyone's experiences are a little different I think but there might be someone with a similar insurance who could tell you their experience. My first consultation, I went to the surgeon's office, he evaluated me and recommended the type of surgery he thought would be best for me which happened to be the laparoscopic gastric sleeve. He told me what it entailed (cutting my stomach and making it smaller) and of things I could expect, what I couldn't eat anymore and the type of lifestyle I would have to adapt to after the surgery.

He also told me I would have to see a bunch of specialists that my insurance covered, an endocrinologist, gastroentrologist, psychiatrist, cardiologist, respiratory doctor and nutritionist. I had to be cleared by all these people in order to be approved for the surgery and it took roughly 6 months to complete this process. Then he'd have to submit all that information to the insurance company to get it approved. He also told me I had to go on a liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery and had to pay $300 out of pocket for the program fee and food they were to give me during that time period. Some people have to go on a 6 month pre-op diet but I didn't have to. Anyways I wish you the best with your consultation and hope everything goes well.

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atontor    1,068

atontor
Posted

Hi. I had to see all those doctors mentioned above. My insurance required 4 months of Doctor visits for weigh ins . I was sleeved on 5/29/15. SW 320. CW 195. GW 185. I added a pic to see the progress. Feel free to ask any questions you may have

post-244766-14585599083453_thumb.jpg

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atontor    1,068

atontor
Posted

Omg @@atontor congrats you look amazing

Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

Thank you

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2goldengirl    2,076

2goldengirl
Posted

He also told me I had to pay $300 out of pocket for the program fee and food they were to give me during that time period. Some people have to go on a 6 month pre-op diet but I didn't have to.

No, No, No. You have Managed Medi-Cal. You can't be forced to pay any "program fee" or for any supplements or shakes. By law, all you are responsible for are your copays. Period. Call IEHP and tell them that this doc is trying to overcharge you. They will remind him that he can't do this.

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StanCounty29    70

StanCounty29
Posted

Hello there I'm new to this. I have my first pre op consultation on tuesday at 10 am.

I have no Idea what to excpect. I've been looking into weight loss surgery for a year now.

I live in California and have MediCal/IEHP just yo get approved for a consultation my Dr. Submitted a severe apnea test and 2 months of weight watchers. Will that count to get approved for surgery sooner?

Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

Where in cali are u at? I had mine done through medical as we'll. How they said it depends on ur dr. All my process took about a month. For me, was every time I finished an appt I would call my drs office and let them know. And I would tell them ok my next step. I think the only thing I paid for was the nutritionist, because the ones that medical provided were to far. But good luck, like I said especially with medical, just keep basically stay on top of them.

Good luck and hopefully it all goes through smoothly!

Sent from my SGH-M919N using the BariatricPal App

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Myjourney616    10

Myjourney616
Posted

Hi. I had to see all those doctors mentioned above. My insurance required 4 months of Doctor visits for weigh ins . I was sleeved on 5/29/15. SW 320. CW 195. GW 185. I added a pic to see the progress. Feel free to ask any questions you may have

attachicon.gif ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1458559907.602226.jpg

You look amazing im inpressed

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

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littlered12973    5

littlered12973
Posted

My experience was really smooth. I met the doctor after my vitals and weight were done. He showed me the different procedures and suggested the sleeve. They turned in the preapproval and I went to the psych evaluation the next day. Within a week I was approved and the scheduled my surgery in 2 weeks time. My whole process was 29 days from consult to sugury. Good luck...you know that you want to make this lifestyle change so you will be fine! I have surgery in 4 days....whoo hooo!

Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

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Falecha    50

Falecha
Posted

My experience was really smooth. I met the doctor after my vitals and weight were done. He showed me the different procedures and suggested the sleeve. They turned in the preapproval and I went to the psych evaluation the next day. Within a week I was approved and the scheduled my surgery in 2 weeks time. My whole process was 29 days from consult to sugury. Good luck...you know that you want to make this lifestyle change so you will be fine! I have surgery in 4 days....whoo hooo!

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I'm happy for u!!!

Falecha

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Tricia Renzi Grow    20

Tricia Renzi Grow
Posted

I have my first consult/surgeon consult next Friday. Very excited to start the process and know I'll have to jump through all sort of hoops, but am ready!

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cookiefierce    1

cookiefierce
Posted

My experience was really smooth. I met the doctor after my vitals and weight were done. He showed me the different procedures and suggested the sleeve. They turned in the preapproval and I went to the psych evaluation the next day. Within a week I was approved and the scheduled my surgery in 2 weeks time. My whole process was 29 days from consult to sugury. Good luck...you know that you want to make this lifestyle change so you will be fine! I have surgery in 4 days....whoo hooo!

Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

I'm happy for u!!!

Falecha

What insurance did you have?

Did you do 3 to 6 months supervised diet?

Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • Aunty Mamo

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      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. 
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    • BeanitoDiego

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      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.
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