Hi everyone, nice to meet you all!

I’ve just started my WLS journey and have so many questions. I’ve been researching things day and night. So far I’ve had my intake appointment, set up an appointment for a bariatric psych eval, made an appointment for an upper GI series, set up three of six requires nutrition appointments all of which are one month apart, and my first appointment with the surgeon will be 8/1.

In your process, what came next for you? About how long between your initial consult and surgery?

Any input is sure appreciated.

Hi!

I registered for the group info session that was provided. Attendance was mandatory to set up a consultation with the practice I chose.

Next I had a consultation with the surgeon. We discussed the surgery and the next steps such a all of the pre op testing needed. I received a large info packet with the steps later out into a checklist and the contacts for setting up the appointments.

Directly after I met with a nutritionist to go over a pre pre op diet plan and a schedule for two additional mandatory group info sessions.

I set up all of the appointments I needed (sleep study, upper GI study and endoscopy, psychology, cardiology clearance primary doctor clearance, additional nutrition visit and final surgeon consultation. After insurance was submitted and accepted the last appointment was the pre op clearance with the hospital (including anesthesiologist) and beginning of the preop diet right before surgery.
From begInning to end I believe the process was 5-6 months.

Welcome to the forum! I am getting close to the end of the process and each insurance company is different. My insurance requires 6 months and I am with Kaiser Washington and this was my process:
- Had a provider seminar in January
- Spoke with surgeon in January
- Completed my lab testing/EKG in January
- Schedule all my 6 nutritional visits 4 weeks apart
- My EGD was in April
- My psych evaluation is in May
- My last nutrition class is 6/21
- hopefully I can have surgery in July or August

Good luck on your journey ??

Insurance usually dictates the length of time between initial visit to surgery date. What testing and counseling is required by them and how soon you can get it all done with medical clearance.

I was told 3 months best case scenario with my bariatric team since my BCBS insurance had no time restraints. I was determined to meet that goal and did. I got a lot done in that short amount of time. (Pulmonary, stress test, heart EGD, catherization, psych eval, sleep study, 3 months with nutritionist, exercise coach) And lastly an endoscopy which showed a hiatal hernia. Surgeon scheduled me for surgery 2 weeks later.

11 hours ago, xbitsy said:

set up three of six requires nutrition appointments

If you are required 6 nutrition consults, sounds like you are looking at 6 months minimum. I'm going to guess after completing all your appointments your next step will be an endoscopy. Good luck!!!

Edited April 30, 20233 yr by BabySpoons

BE PREPEARED FOR ALOT OF "HURRY UP! THEN WAIT"

Hi I’m chef Xenia I just learned I’m having my surgery 7/26/2023. I’m excited and scared. But I am ready.

Welcome everyone! Insurance and your current health will dictate how long before surgery. The Covid epidemic screwed up a lot of surgery dates too. I had to wait a while to get a hiatal hernia healed (acid injuries) before I was allowed to get surgery. All told, it was a solid year from first call to surgery date. I used that time to eat healthy and work out. I practiced drinking my full water load and quit caffeine. And yes, I practiced cooking and meal prep so that I would be successful after surgery. I told myself surgery would lock that pre surgery weight loss off my body, and it did!

Long term weight loss is a head game. I could do all those things before surgery, but I also got a therapist in eating disorders because let’s face it, weighing 355lbs at 5’4” definitely shows disordered eating. So, it’s up to you, but this could be an exciting chance for you to spend time working on you!

It took me almost a year to complete 6 nutrition visits, get pre-clearance from my pcp, make and keep appointments with various specialists, etc... I had to see a hematologist, neurologist, and pulmonologist in addition to the normal ones because I have a history of DVTs, epilepsy, and SLE. I just had surgery on 5/10/23 and my starting weight was 249 (it was 272 on my initial consultation). I'm taking small sips of liquid every few minutes, even with the muscle spasms. I get up and walk from one end of my house to the other every hour.The surgeon said the pain would subside in a few days, usually. He said he was pleased with how the surgery went and that I didn't have any seizures during the surgery (I had a small one waiting on the anesthesiologist).

Thank you, everyone!

I’ve done my upper GI series which went swimmingly. I completed my at-home sleep study and was subsequently diagnosed with sleep apnea. I’ll be fitted for my CPAP mask next week. I completed my first of six nutrition classes, which was quite puzzling because it was like a common sense class - Nothing more advanced than kindergarten-level nutrition facts (choose fruits and veggies, not chips and cookies). I can’t believe I have to wait at least five more months for that. I’m hoping it becomes a lot more specific to bariatric surgery, then it would make sense! I asked the surgeon’s office when they estimate I’d be up for surgery and they think November or December. I requested an earlier first visit with the surgeon, so I’ll be seeing him on 6/6. Very excited to discuss things and ask questions and hopefully get an even better estimated timeframe. I’m impatient, can you tell? Lol! Thanks again folks I really appreciate you all.