I was just wondering if you went to those appointments before or after your surgeon consultation. Both of mine are the day after. Thanks! :thumbup:

Edited March 29, 200818 yr by BabyNicole
put "you" instead of "your"

1. Went to a seminar and was given a packet.

2. Completed the packet and mailed it in.

3. Surgeon's office called me to schedule an appointment with the nutritionist.

4. Saw nutritionist. She now sends a report to the surgeon. He will review my packet and decide if he will accept me as a patient and then I will have to complete a series of tests before he will see me.

5. I am going for a mandatory two-hour nutrition class on Tuesday because it's only held once a month and I don't want that to hold me up if I'm accepted.

I went to the first informational meeting in May 07- was given a packet, dr.s office called and made an appointment for me 4 weeks later- on that day I met the doctor, the nutriouist andt he psychologist! I was told what tests I would need and than waited patiently to get them done- It was hell on my job taking that kind of time off.

it is now 3/30/08 and today I got the letter saying the surgery is approved via my insurance so all in all it has been a long 10 months but so worth it.

I went to the first informational meeting in May 07- was given a packet, dr.s office called and made an appointment for me 4 weeks later- on that day I met the doctor, the nutriouist andt he psychologist! I was told what tests I would need and than waited patiently to get them done- It was hell on my job taking that kind of time off.

it is now 3/30/08 and today I got the letter saying the surgery is approved via my insurance so all in all it has been a long 10 months but so worth it.

Congrats! What a wait! I'm sure it'll be worth it! :thumbup:

I saw both of them after my appt. I think it worked out better that way because I already had a good understanding what was going to be expected of me before and after surgery. Good luck to you!!!

I met with my surgeon, and he referred me for a psych. eval, nutritional consult, bloodwork etc. Then, after all that was completed, I met with him again to make the final determination.

Here is the order we are going for the surgery at this hospital... (and bypass/sleeve patients follow this also)

1. Initial Class (seminar) with the surgeon
   
2. Second class with the coordinator
   
3. Nutrition class (Post op and after care dietary life changes)
   
4. Mandatory "support group"
   
5. nutrition class (general)
   
6. nutrition class (pt 2 of the general nut' class)
   
7. back to the coordinator
   
8. Psych eval
   
9. Back to the coordinator again for final nod or to be told try again
   
10. Meet and greet one and one with surgeon to make pre-op appts (tests paperwork etc) and to make the surgical date!!
    
11. Pre-op check in (blood work, etc)
    
12. Surgery!
    

Other -- mine were all on the same day. I don't remember what order they were in, it was all one big block of time and I just got led from one person to the other.

Hi, I had the Lap Band on 3/25 using DR. Bertha from Florham Park, NJ. Are you considering the same doctor?

Hi, I had the Lap Band on 3/25 using DR. Bertha from Florham Park, NJ. Are you considering the same doctor?

Yes! Same doc! How did it go? I'd LOVE to hear details!!! :biggrin2:

Bertha is very good, confident and a pretty good bedside manner. They make you see the nutritionist and go through a psych before hand, so you are well prepared for the changes. The only issue I had was the return of phone calls from the staff, they never called back once and yook some time on another occasoion, but I will let the doc kow on 4/11 when I go back for my post- op appt. Bertha and Abkin train all the staff that they work with in any hospital you use, but I must recommend St. Peter's if it is possible for you. It is immaculate, and the staff makes you feel good, my neighbor used them at Morrstown and he loved that hospital so I do not think you can go wrong. They came recommended to me and I would openly pass on that recommendation. You feel very confident in Bertha's ability and his manner.

I have done everything I am supposed to do, now I wait on the paperwork shuffle. Woohoo!!!

I was just wondering if you went to those appointments before or after your surgeon consultation. Both of mine are the day after. Thanks! :crying:

Went to the seminar 3/08...

Met with doctors nurse to go over insurance 3/18

Pulmonary-done..

cardiologist 4/9

pyscologist 4/8

nutritionist 4/28 2 classes

sleep study 4/28

surgery date n/a

1. seminar
   
2. fill out packet for surgeon
   
3. Surgeon initial Eval
   
4. attended 6 meetings with dietitian to fulfull insurance requirement
   
5. Nutrition and phsyc eval
   
6. Waiting on Insurance approval then have preop appt with surgeon.
   

I had to see the Pychologist before the doctor would even accept me as a patient. I never met one on one with a nutritionist. She talked to the group that had preop testing the same day I did.

Attended info meeting

met with nurse clinician at the bariatric center

started my 6 mos supervised weight loss with my primary dr

met with the nut

met with the psych 3 times (inital meeting, took the MMPI, then got the results and approval)

2nd appt with nurse clinician for band training

I didn't meet the surgeon until BCBS gave approval for the surgery