Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Very Very Nervous about appt. tomorrow.



Recommended Posts

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? :lol: Can anyone give me some advice before I go to these 2 appts tomorrow? Something to calm the nerves. Help!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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. ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      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. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      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.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×