I know many of you have been in my shoes. I have my first surgical consult tomorrow and then my bariatric psych eval. I am wondering what the Doc will have to say. I am pretty sure I qualify and that my insurance will pay . I have been big and up and down for about 20 yrears or so and now I desperately want to be thin again. Why am I so worried about this appt? I expect him to say I need a six month diet. :thumbup: I wonder if he'll order a cardiac clearance and a sleep study. Do I really have to sleep with people watching me? My mother had open heart sugery at 57. Will I pass the cardiac clearance? And of course their is the psych eval. Will I pass or fail that? Can anyone give me some advice before I go to these 2 appts tomorrow? Something to calm the nerves. Help!

My advice would be to refocus on the positives! Concentrate on why you're considering lap-band. You're taking a very big step towards a healthier you! Don't worry.... you can overcome any of these hurdles with flying colors. The sleep study was easy I thought.... it was harder for me to get comfy in a strange bed than to worry about people watching me sleep. The family does that to me all the time. My son used to pull up my eyelids and ask if I was in there!

The pre-op diet can be a struggle, but again, it will prepare you for life after surgery and my doc said losing weight before the procedure helped to make it an easier operation. Most of the prep work is to make sure you're ready... both mentally and physically. Don't worry about the psych eval either... mine was a really nice chat about how my weight has affected my life and how serious was I about doing something to remedy it. At the end of all of this, I was more determined that ever! I hope you have the same feelings as you move closer to the day. Just imagine how great you'll feel!! Best of luck to you!

I am going for my psych and surgical consult tomorrow too! I am not nervous at all--I want this! Just go in, be yourself, follow your heart and speak sincerely. If you have to "go through some hoops," just take each step one by one. We'll get there. Let us know tomorrow what the outcome is.

Good luck to you! I don't know what he will say because every surgeon is different. But just think of the other side of surgery! It is great!

Boo Boo Kitty Congrats on all your lost weight. That is so great!

My advice would be to refocus on the positives! Concentrate on why you're considering Lap Band. You're taking a very big step towards a healthier you! Don't worry.... you can overcome any of these hurdles with flying colors. The sleep study was easy I thought.... it was harder for me to get comfy in a strange bed than to worry about people watching me sleep. The family does that to me all the time. My son used to pull up my eyelids and ask if I was in there!

The pre-op diet can be a struggle, but again, it will prepare you for life after surgery and my doc said losing weight before the procedure helped to make it an easier operation. Most of the prep work is to make sure you're ready... both mentally and physically. Don't worry about the psych eval either... mine was a really nice chat about how my weight has affected my life and how serious was I about doing something to remedy it. At the end of all of this, I was more determined that ever! I hope you have the same feelings as you move closer to the day. Just imagine how great you'll feel!! Best of luck to you!

Halbert said it all soooo well----what an awesome uplifting post!

When you need inspiration, and reminded why you are going through all of this, go peruse through the before and after pics!!

Let us know how the appointment goes!

Kat

I know many of you have been in my shoes. I have my first surgical consult tomorrow and then my bariatric psych eval. I am wondering what the Doc will have to say. I am pretty sure I qualify and that my insurance will pay . I have been big and up and down for about 20 yrears or so and now I desperately want to be thin again. Why am I so worried about this appt? I expect him to say I need a six month diet. I wonder if he'll order a cardiac clearance and a sleep study. Do I really have to sleep with people watching me? My mother had open heart sugery at 57. Will I pass the cardiac clearance? And of course their is the psych eval. Will I pass or fail that? :smile: Can anyone give me some advice before I go to these 2 appts tomorrow? Something to calm the nerves. Help!

Yellowrose,

I was sooo nervous too, but it turned out great. I think they just want to know that you understand what you are signing up for, that you are realistic about lap and how it helps and your part in all that. Of course it's scary to be judged, but I'm sure the psych person will be kind - and they have seen it all so you can't throw anything at them that will surprise, shock, etc. Just be yourself, say you're nervous if you are. It will be fine :biggrin:

I am going for my psych and surgical consult tomorrow too! I am not nervous at all--I want this! Just go in, be yourself, follow your heart and speak sincerely. If you have to "go through some hoops," just take each step one by one. We'll get there. Let us know tomorrow what the outcome is.

So you and I are both going in on the same day. Cool! Let us (me) know how you did too. Thanks for the good advice.

So, how did things go today?

I also have my first surgical eval tomorrow, I am very nervous too. I already know I have to do the 6 month diet so that my insurance will pay for the WLS, i'm 1 month in so at least 5 months to go before I can be banded. Just keep reading these threads and you will learn lots!!!!! I know I have learned a great deal, and am very thankful to have found this site. Hopefully they don't make you go through all of those tests, but by the sounds of other people's experiences it just depends on your doc. Good Luck to you tomorrow. I haven't scheduled my psych appt yet, hopefully soon.

Do people really watch you while you sleep?

That makes it sound like people are standing around your bed watching you sleep. :rolleyes2:

But I can totally understand why you think that. Actually, in my case, there was a tiny camera up on one wall that was pointing at the bed.

They HAVE to watch you in order to see if you quit breathing and if you wake up while sleeping. I don't think they actually watch you all night long, just when the monitors show you have stopped breathing.

Maybe someone out there who is a nurse can tell us more.

If you are worried that you might do something to embarrass yourself while sleeping, I suspect they have seen just about anything that could happen! :scared2:

Loud snoring does not always have apnea associated with it. Some people are just loud snorers!

Good luck to you all! I know it seems overwhelming...what you will be going through but it is totally worth it! :rolleyes2:

The surgeon consult went fine. He approved me but now has to submit it to my insurance for final approval. He said that could take 2 to 3 months.:tongue_smilie: But he did say that I shouldn't have to do a 6 month diet. Yay!:thumbup: So I guess I'll just try to be patient and wait anxiously for insurance approval. The psych eval went fine but I was there later in the afternoon and he said that I have to take a 550 question test on Friday. He is sure I will pass it though. I also have to meet with a nutritionist so I'm going to try to do that on Friday as well. I live out in the middle of nowhere (love it) so I have to drive into the city to get all of this done. It is about an hour and a half away but I know this will all be worth it. I feel more excited after today but of course I am a bit anxious about the insurance and if the will approve quickly or not. I like the surgeon and he answered my list of 30 questions with no problem. He says he does about 20 lapbands a month so I feel pretty confident. If anyone has any comments I would love to hear them.

My psych went fine too. The doc sent me the 370 questions in the mail and I did it at home. I was given approval (fooled him!)

The surgeon made me feel comfortable and answered questions. I was able to get my 2 weeks of Optifast. Tomorrow I will call and make the surgery date.....May 13.

Lots of different emotions going on.

I just went to my first visit with the surgeon consult. Everything went well, and is going to submit it to my insurance. I went 2 weeks ago to the psy evaluation. I work for Anthem BCBS and I hope it goes quick!!!

Good Luck and Most important be yourself!

Sounds like everyone is progressing great! Glad all of your appointments went well. This waiting is definitely the worst part!

Good luck to all of you!!