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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member Leggs's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/17/2014
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Last Activity
    07-01-2014 06:38 AM
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    8
    Said "Thanks" 4 Times
    Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
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    Default Finally had my consulation

    I have been trying to get the sleeve for years and I could never save enough money but I finally got insurance that would cover the procedure! I met with my surgeon today and I start with the testing in 3 weeks. I am excited but scared. I feel like it's all I think about. I didn't get the warm fuzzies when I met my doc but it looks like he is pretty competent. I think I am going to start using my gym membership now, so I can get into the swing of working out regularly. I am scared, did I mention that? I am hoping to have all of this done by April. Is that realistic?



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  4. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member WayLessInNH's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Terri
    Surgery date
    08/26/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Gould
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Last Activity
    02-09-2015 08:14 PM
    Location
    Southern New Hampshire (North of Boston)
    Posts
    245
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    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Finally had my consulation

    Congrats! I would agree with you on starting to workout now. I also started a food diary prior to surgery. I was able to loose 23 lbs prior to my pre-op diet and then another 15lbs on the pre-op diet. It was a great head start for me.

    As for your question about how long it will take before you're sleeved will depend on a lot of factors. Does your insurance require supervised doctor visits for 3 to 6 months? Does your surgeon require you to lose weight prior to booking the surgery? You will most likely have to have a bunch of Dr. appointments and tests including a EKG, Barium Swallow test (to check for a hiatal hernia), psych eval etc.

    I have read that people on this forum can have surgery within a few weeks of starting this journey and some have taken a few years before they met the criteria.

    I started my journey in November of 2012 with my initial visit with my PCP. She gave me a referral to my Bariatrics team and I met them in Dec. of 2012. I had to have 6 consecutive months of Doctor supervised diet and exercise visits and a whole slew of tests. I completed that by June of 2013. I then had to meet with the surgeon, nutritionist, and had to wait for my insurance approval. Then I had to wait a few more weeks for my surgery to be scheduled.

    I was finally sleeved on August 26th of 2013. My "waiting period" seems pretty typical for those of us that are having this procedure covered by insurance.

    Good Luck to you on this journey.



  5. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member Julesmirage70's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Jules
    Surgery date
    11/26/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Brad Snyder
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Last Activity
    05-25-2015 03:41 PM
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    340
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    Was Thanked 79 Times in 74 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 130 Times

    Default Re: Finally had my consulation

    You can find out the details by contacting your insurance for the pre-op requirements so you wont get dissappointed with the details they tell you that you have to have a diet for 6 months or just pass the tests and then your doctor can schedule you. The anxienty of waiting for approval is not fun so find out as much from your insurance as possible. Usually they have nurses that work in the insurnace and you will get like a case worker. When my last test, the psych, I emailed her and explained the dr's office didn't hear by a certain time it would cause a long delay for scheduling and then all of a sudden the approval was faxed in under 24 hours!! Just keep them up to date with calls and make sure they receive the info (sending and receiving) they need and it should go really fast. You just gotta keep them to keep you at the top of their list. I hope your lucky and no wait is required and it moves fast!


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  6. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member Aquajog's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    02/07/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr.Kim Celebration,Fl. 2/7
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Activity
    05-11-2016 10:36 AM
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    1,421
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    Default Re: Finally had my consulation

    With my insurance I needed clearances from my heart because of age , kidney because of pre existing issue and primary doctor . I had to have 3 months supervised with dietitian ..I chose to go with the Bariatric program dietitian rather than my doctor or regular dietitian .
    All the information and things we covered will be useful after surgery , rather than just dealing with weight loss. This was a good choice for me BUT some insurances do not cover this so you need to check with your provider before you start seeing somebody . Some insurance require one visit and some as many as 3 .. Also had to see a Physcoligist .I had to have my clearances within 6 months of surgery .. Since my caseworker did not complete paper work to insurance in a timely manner And my clearances were over 6 months I had to get them a second time which has caused more of a delay. I am finally seeing my surgeon tomorrow for a date . Just over one year since I went to my first information group.
    01/2013 information group 225. ,ht 5' 5". BMI. 37.5 ,01/30 /2014. Start pre op diet 218 lbs 2/7 .. Surgery. ..214. ..2/14...204. 03/1..206 ??.. March 6 (4 week check up 202lb. March. 8.. First goal . 199.4. BMI. 33.1. April1. .192.5. May 7. 188.6
    Jun 1. 178. BMI. 29.2. .reached a Goal.. No longer obese!!!? 7-01. ..174 , 08/1,..1965.. 08/7......14 months. 149...a normal BMI ...

  7. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member ximmia's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Laura
    Surgery date
    08/21/2013
    Surgeon
    Hawasali
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Last Activity
    10-13-2014 07:31 AM
    Location
    Michigan by way of England, Mumbai, Cairo and Boston
    Posts
    1,657
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    Default Re: Finally had my consulation

    My BMI was super-high (57) and my insurance didn't require any supervised visits. For anyone over 50 they auto-approve. It took about 5 months from original surgeon's visit to surgery. Two months of that was waiting for the actual date since my surgeon is one of the busiest around. Whatever the wait is, it's totally worth it. Do all the reading, researching, watching, talking you can. The more informed you are the better.



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  9. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Jules
    Surgery date
    03/19/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Matthew Baker
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    02-09-2015 03:38 PM
    Location
    Winona, MN
    Posts
    240
    Said "Thanks" 15 Times
    Was Thanked 49 Times in 47 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 77 Times

    Default Re: Finally had my consulation

    I can relate to being excited and yet scared. I'm about at the same stage as you...looking like March or April for surgery. I feel consumed with thoughts about the sleeve. I also didn't get warm fuzzies from the doctor or the nutritionist. Hang in there and create your own warm fuzzies



  10. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Deborah
    Surgery date
    02/13/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Sergio Quinones
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Last Activity
    11-11-2019 01:11 PM
    Location
    Round Lake, IL
    Posts
    170
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    Was Thanked 49 Times in 42 Posts
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    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Finally had my consulation

    I have Aetna insurance which required a 6-month waiting period; visits to a psychiatrist, nutritionist and monthly visits to my pcp throughout the process. My last visit was 1/10/14, and the paperwork was submitted to the insurance for approval on 1/13 (this can take up to 30 days if no additonal requirements). This is not a quick process if you are using insurance. Although considering the seriousness of the decision to have WLS, it gives you a lot of time to reflect on your decision, making sure it is right for you. I think that when we embark upon this journey, we are all scared, or apprehensive, to say the least. This is a life-changing decision that should be taken seriously, which is why the insurance companies want to be sure the patient is well-informed and ready to make the commitment. Good luck!


  11. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Jules
    Surgery date
    03/19/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Matthew Baker
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    02-09-2015 03:38 PM
    Location
    Winona, MN
    Posts
    240
    Said "Thanks" 15 Times
    Was Thanked 49 Times in 47 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 77 Times

    Default Re: Finally had my consulation

    Thank you - great information. My BMI is quite high also and my ins. doesn't reuqire supervised visits, but the medical facility/program I'm in does require 3 nutrition visits, etc. All in all it's looking like about 5 months. I have been reading, researching, watching and talking about the sleeve like crazy...but I feel very informed at this point...am very anxious to get going and start living a better life



  12. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member Leggs's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/17/2014
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Last Activity
    07-01-2014 06:38 AM
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    8
    Said "Thanks" 4 Times
    Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 4 Times

    Default Re: Finally had my consulation

    Thank you guys soooo much for all of the support. I called the insurance company and there is no waiting period and no 6 months of medically supervised weight loss plan needed. That shortens the amount of time i have to wait. The insurance company also said they typically approve the surgery in 7 - 10 business days. I have my psych eval, nutritionist and surgeon on Wednesday. I just talked to my supervisor about taking time off work. I feel like this is really going to happen.



  13. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Deborah
    Surgery date
    02/11/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Michael Snyder
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Activity
    02-15-2015 08:23 AM
    Location
    Port St Lucie Florida
    Posts
    21
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    Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Finally had my consulation

    Hello, Great to hear you had your consultation. just my thoughts, I have to feel good about the surgeon and go with your gut ... I have started the process and feeling so excited and scared like hot and cold. There are times I feel unsure of going through with it. Not sure if this is normal ... I have always had a few surgeries a partial knee, then both had to have full knee replacement. I feel and now a bad back. I need to loose 100 pounds.

    I just joined the gym have worked out twice this week and feeling sore, but that is good. My concern is I don't drink much throughout the day ... I usually get my hydration during meals. Been working on that mind set of changing no drinking before and after eating. It should not be that hard, but it is. What is on your mind and what are you scared about at this time and what are you concerned about? Maybe I am doing it all too quickly and now it is overwhelming.


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