and watching the pot to boil, I mean the calendar to MOVE, and I was wondering. What kinds of things will go on at the "First Doctor's appt". Does he examine you? Is this the meeting to set up the surgery? Do we find out if we have good insurance or bad? Anybody know? My first appt. is Mon 9/14. I am getting so happy it is alost here. But like I said, I have been wondering exactly what will take place. Love to here from anyone. Thanks. Liz

First I will say my experience is not typical of the majority of people on these boards as I am in Australia and our health system is vastly different. Better or worse? I can't tell you as I haven't experienced the alternative, but I thought I would share anyway.

I made my appointment with my surgeon and had a waiting time of three weeks. My first appointment with the surgeon lasted about 45 minutes. He ran through the procedure, showing where the incisions would lie etc, the risks, pre/post op regime and answered any questions I had. He also weighed me and gave me an estimate of how much weight I would lose. He said when I was ready I could schedule the surgery for thirty days from when I made my decision. The next day I called and scheduled my surgery for the next month. I can't imagine waiting the 6-12 months that I've read about people being required to, as the month I waited was the longest month ever.

Good Luck!

Hey Liz I am right there with ya wanting to know what goes on in the consult! AND wondering if there's anything the surgeon could do so speed things up with those of us that have the 6 month time constraint. Probably not. I asked my PCP last night if he could do anything and he said no. sigh. I am so doggone healthy everywhere else, just TOO FAT to do anything.

Oh well. Your Monday will be here soon!!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear what goes on.

Hi, my first appt consisted of sitting with his nurse answering all the required medical questions, her telling me all about the proceedure, showing me what the band looked like and answering any questions I might have. She weighed me and gave me a folder full of papers about the proceedure to read. And a list of all the specialist I needed to see over the next couple of months. I had to do the 6 month diet for insurance purposes....which turned out to be a good thing as it helped me prepare for the surgery. Also it helps eliminate some of the fat around the organs that the doctor has to move and work around during the surgery. Then I saw the doctor who chatted with me about the proceedure and went over my chart. Then he asked me WHY I wanted this done. Be truthful. I also had to attend a number of support group meetings. Which is very very helpful and informative. I started with my own research of the proceedure in November of 2008 then my first doctor appt was in December and finally I had my surgery August 26, 2009. Today, I saw my doctor....he took out my staples and I lost 9 lbs since my surgery.

So don't be afraid and don't be angry that you might have to wait for your surgery....it will all be worth it in the end. Good Luck all.

I saw my surgeon, a nurse, his assistant and the nutritionist all on the same day. The nurse took my pressure and medical history, my surgeon went over the proceedure, the nutritionist went over what I would need to eat pre/post op, and why (my surgeon also reviewed this) and the assistant set up a date for surgery and gave me a list of what I needed to do to get cleared for surgery. Its a good thing they gave me a lot of liturature, as my head was spinning.

BlueTopaz....what you said has made me feel so much better about the 6 month time thing. Puts it in a whole new perspective for me.

I am going to ask my PCP if he will at least count my first visit to him talk about this as a first visit towards my 6 months. LOL. he could at least do that for me ya know?

Anyway = Liz what do you think? Make you feel any better about things not happening "yesterday"... :w00t:

Breezy, thanks and good luck to you as well.

Kelly, I know you and I are way too impatient, but Breezy puts it all into perspective!

Thanks for that Breeezy!

And thanks also, Pananelle. I am so excited about Monday and know more about what to expect.

I'll tell you all about it next week.

My first appt was being weighed in, measured, doing medical history with the nurse, Q and A session with the surgeon.

Then after that I was shuffled off to a dietitian who then explained all the changes in eating that would occur.

I went to a center of excellence and they have standards and procedures they have to follow so most of the appts were longer and consisted of meeting multiple people.

I have my first appointment on Tuesday. When I first called the office, the bariatic coordinator asked me a bunch of questions and then sent me a bunch of papework in the mail. This package was really helpful - it included several forms for me to fill out, a timeline of the whole process, details about what to expect at the first and subsequent meetings with the surgeon, and details about his program (the RD, the psych exam, etc). It also included the diagnosis code and procedure codes for all of the surgeries he offers so that I could check my insurance before I got too far into the process.

At least while I was waiting for my appointment, I had plenty of things to read and do.

Good luck on Monday!

I had my appointment with my surgeon after I attended the seminar. I was weighed, measured, a picture was taken of me, they took my blood pressure, and then the surgeon came in and talked to me. He did not examine me at all, but I had a complete physical with my general physician as part of the beginning process. I was given a CD to view "Emmi" and then I went home.

My process went really smoothly except for one hitch. I had taken off a half day the Wednesday before my surgery on the following Monday, August 31st. I had spent all afternoon in Greensboro getting my pre-op things done. When I got home, I had an email from the bariatric coordinator saying that my 7 page release form was not in my file and that I needed to turn that in immediately to not have my surgery canceled. I had never seen it, heard of it, or knew anything about it. I got upset, and we wound up having it faxed and I sent it back that same night. Keep on top of things, because they can fall through the cracks if you are not careful!:wink:

I had my appointment with my surgeon after I attended the seminar. I was weighed, measured, a picture was taken of me, they took my blood pressure, and then the surgeon came in and talked to me. He did not examine me at all, but I had a complete physical with my general physician as part of the beginning process. I was given a CD to view "Emmi" and then I went home.

My process went really smoothly except for one hitch. I had taken off a half day the Wednesday before my surgery on the following Monday, August 31st. I had spent all afternoon in Greensboro getting my pre-op things done. When I got home, I had an email from the bariatric coordinator saying that my 7 page release form was not in my file and that I needed to turn that in immediately to not have my surgery canceled. I had never seen it, heard of it, or knew anything about it. I got upset, and we wound up having it faxed and I sent it back that same night. Keep on top of things, because they can fall through the cracks if you are not careful!:wink:

Thanks so much Rebecca! I hope my experience goes as smoothly as yours. Wow, you have done really well. That's fantastic. Could you tell me something please; what questions, if any should I be asking at this first consultation? Thanks again. Liz

Hi Liz. Thanks for the compliment! I didn't really have any big questions to ask Dr. Martin because I already had done a lot of research. My sister had the surgery four years ago, so I was more familiar with it than some. I didn't really discuss the options other than lap band because it is so much less invasive and has lots of other benefits. I basically asked him about recovery time and how much work I would have to miss. He was very helpful. On my second visit, my husband went with me and we discussed what to look out for in case of difficulties.

I had such an easy time of it at the hospital. My surgery went great, I was walking within two hours of my surgery, and I felt really good. I was sore (of course) but eager to walk as much as possible so that I could prevent any blood clots or problems. My only problem was that I was so thirsty....I only had 2 ounces of ice chips or Water every four hours that first day, and my surgery was at 7:15. I used swabs to wash out my mouth and brushed my teeth several times to at least moisten my mouth. It was much better on the second day when I could have Protein shakes and water and other liquids. I am really happy how smoothly everything went, and I hope it is the same for you. You can do it!:wink:

Hi Liz. Thanks for the compliment! I didn't really have any big questions to ask Dr. Martin because I already had done a lot of research. My sister had the surgery four years ago, so I was more familiar with it than some. I didn't really discuss the options other than lap band because it is so much less invasive and has lots of other benefits. I basically asked him about recovery time and how much work I would have to miss. He was very helpful. On my second visit, my husband went with me and we discussed what to look out for in case of difficulties.

I had such an easy time of it at the hospital. My surgery went great, I was walking within two hours of my surgery, and I felt really good. I was sore (of course) but eager to walk as much as possible so that I could prevent any blood clots or problems. My only problem was that I was so thirsty....I only had 2 ounces of ice chips or Water every four hours that first day, and my surgery was at 7:15. I used swabs to wash out my mouth and brushed my teeth several times to at least moisten my mouth. It was much better on the second day when I could have Protein shakes and water and other liquids. I am really happy how smoothly everything went, and I hope it is the same for you. You can do it!:tongue2:

Thanks for all of that. It was helpful. My sister had it done in July. So I too am familiar with everything. In addition, just being on this forum and reading everything I feel like I already know a lot. I too have no desire to discuss other options; the lapband is what I want. I just wanted to see what other people might have asked. I am just so eager to have it done, I want to make sure I am thorough enough. But, you were very helpful. Thanks again.