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Hi everyone! I’m in the early stages of deciding to get a gastric sleeve and I have my first appointment scheduled for 9/21 but I’m really curious what other people had to do to be approved by your surgeon for surgery while being self pay. My insurance won’t cover the surgery so I won’t have to deal with insurance company requirements. I’m just curious what surgeons typically want you to do (follow a special diet, take classes, see a nutritionist, etc). Thanks!:)

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Hi Kmartin6168, I am self pay and my insurance wouldn't cover me either because my BMI was 35.2 and I do not have any Comorbodities so I paid $16,45.00 Upstate NY, although I am self pay my doctor still wanted clearance from my PCP, he required a EGD to check heart, Endoscopy (due to past Reflux issues) because I have in the past suffered from Acid Reflux, and a mini physical and labs. I just finished the last part today and I go visit my doctor again on the 22nd of September to go over everything which, I already know was party good because most of the physicians and others I did see was able to let me know right away all was well, even my labs came back today however, I don't know how to read that stuff meaning the percentages or levels rather, I guess I could call my sister and ask her since she's a doctor but, I know its all good I'm in pretty good health other then my weight issues.

My 1st visit with the Surgeon was July 25th and at that time the doctor told me his only concern was my Endoscopy and labs which I know already the Endo was good the doctor that did that told me and I could compare my labs from past labs I've had I guess but I think the labs will be fine everything else I know was good. My surgery is scheduled for September 7th.

I was not required to see a Psychiatrist, nor was I put on a extended wait or diet only have a 3 day pre-op diet. But to me he required a lot of the things they insurance would require, but overall he feel I'm a good candidate and said he would do it as long as those main two things were good along with my EGD which was.

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Hi everyone! I’m in the early stages of deciding to get a gastric sleeve and I have my first appointment scheduled for 9/21 but I’m really curious what other people had to do to be approved by your surgeon for surgery while being self pay. My insurance won’t cover the surgery so I won’t have to deal with insurance company requirements. I’m just curious what surgeons typically want you to do (follow a special diet, take classes, see a nutritionist, etc). Thanks!:)

I had to do an upper endoscopy and a stress test and that was it.

Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

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I have to do blood work, a class on what to expect after surgery and how to eat for the first few weeks, etc. (called a “binder class”), and there’s a three day Clear Liquids diet before the surgery. I’m about a 40.5 BMI, and I have slightly elevated BP and cholesterol.

Edited by Heifzilla

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Have money, stress test and blood work. Did I mention have money? Lol

Depends on on your doctor, I tend not to beat around the bush when talking so I found the doctor that fit my needs and gave me a great cash price.

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💰 Money does seem to keep The 🌏World spinning, glad you and your surgeon were able to agree on terms for,your upcoming surgery.🙏Praying his hands are steady, his art is perfect and that you obtain a wonderful smooth surgery.

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Stress test, sleep study, blood work, egd

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    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • 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.
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