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

What are the steps you have to take before surgery?



Recommended Posts

I am going to my doctor on Friday to try to set up the surgery. What are the steps I will have to go through before I can get the surgery and how long does it take?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi and welcome! I wondered the same thing and I was scared that it was going to be a long and drawn out process.

By the time someone makes the decision for WLS, the last thing they want are more delays....haven't we delayed it enough with the years of diets, programs, pills, etc.

First, make sure this is what you want.

Next, find an excellent doctor, a skilled surgeon.

Then that doc will have a checklist of things for you to do. Every doc is different but it will generally be:

thorough examination

blood work

further exams by cardio and psych - to make sure nothing is left uncovered

ensuring you understand all the risks and costs - not just money but changing your lifestyle

Then set a date for surgery.

So really, your doctor is your only step. If you are going to use insurance or something there will be more- check out the thread for insurance.

Good luck and come back to let us know how things are going.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This actually depends on your insurance requirements (does it even cover lap band) and then what your surgeon may require. For example I did not need a cardio exam although I did get an ecg. Don't pick a surgeon until you find out if insurance covers it and if so, who is on your "list"....my PCP sent me to a group that my insurance didn't cover! It worked out well though; I love my doc...but start with insurance and proceed from there. I didn't even need my primary to recommend the surgery.

And while Lapbandtalker gave good advice too, I don't think you can be sure this is what you want until you've researched it some, and that, to me, includes the informative seminar that your surgeon holds. I was already "into" the process when I attended that. Had I not liked him and what he had to say I would've stopped it. You can change your mind up to the time just before they roll you in to surgery. It is a big change and you have to educate yourself before you make it. At any point in the process you may decide against it. Many of us don't, but some of us do!

Edited by RestlessMonkey

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i signed up for a seminar. i just googled lap band surgery and san antonio tx and found one. at the seminar i gave them a copy of my insurance card and set up my first appt. with the doctor. first available appt was 2 weeks later. in the mean time the patient advocate contacted my insurance to see if it was covered and what steps were needed by the insurance. i needed a 3 month suprevised diet with no weight loss needed. i also needed a psych test and a swallow study done under furoscope. I first attened my seminar in march. surgery done in august. it can be a long process. many insurance companies require a 6 month supervised diet and some even want you to loose 10% of your body fat. It can be a long process but first you need to attend a few seminars. then they are usually more than happy to call the insurance company to find out if your insurance covers weigh loss surgery or what they require to have the surgery covered.

hope this helps

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In addition to whatever testing, etc. your surgeon may require, each insurance company is different in its requirements. They may require nutritionist visit(s), psych. evaluation, monitored diet for 3 or even 6 months, a letter from you about why you want the surgery, a letter of recommendation from your PCP regarding medical necessity. Look to your surgeon's front desk people to guide you but don't be the least bit hesitant to call your insurance company your self and ask what they require. You may be able to go ahead and start on some of it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It varies based on insurance provider and even surgery center. This is my second go-round with this and its so much easier this time around. I have to jump through a few hoops with priority health, but none that are on FIRE like they were with Aetna :rolleyes: The surgery center in some ways was easier to deal with in Dallas - just because they're bigger. Here, not so much - but they're very very nice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know what you mean about having to wait so long for something you want so bad. I have Highmark BC/BS of Pa and this is what i had to do

Month 1 Seminar and appointment with PCP

Month 2 Appointment with PCP

Month 3 Appointment with PCP

Month 4 Appointment with PCP

Month 5 Appointment With PCP

Appointment with Surgeon

consult with Nutritionist

exercise consult

psych consult

Month 6 Appointment with PCP

Wait for Approval

month 7 2 week Prop Appointment

surgery

So when it is all said and done it is about 7 months and that even depends on how backed up your surgeon is. Even if you have approval you may have to wait to be scheduled for surgery.

It is such a long process but i know it will be be worth it in the end. I guess when you have tryed eveything the long wait doesn't seem like so long.

Edited by reneek

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

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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!

  • 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

    ×