/Consultation to surgery date

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Some people have had their pre-op stuff completed during the time

they are waiting for their scheduled initial-consult date to arrive.

Theoretically, if you get all this done prior to even meeting the

surgeon, the only thing you will have to wait on is insurance

approval. However, at least in the case of Gagner's office, this

does not appear to happen in the real world.

While you are waiting it won't hurt you to get a list of the pre-op

stuff required from all pre-ops (thyroid blood tests, endoscopy to

rule out H. Pylori and psych eval - Dr Gagner's office can fax you a

list of doctors you can use to get these things if you are in the NYC

area). You can also book and attend your appts for these if you

think you are serious about having the surgery.

Regardless of whether you complete the tests before your visit, they

will pencil you in for a tentative surgery date. It's tentative

because it's assuming you get insurance approval and all your pre-op

tests clear you for the surgery. But it doesn't sound like the

insurance specialist at Mt Sinai (Darryl ) starts the

insurance submission process until, about, 2 weeks before your

scheduled date. Don't know if this is a hard and fast rule, but I've

heard tale...

At a minimum, having your pre-op test results will enable Dr Gagner

to get a better handle on your current health and will be able to

better discuss your individual results/prognosis. But, do expect he

may order further tests at your consultation appt if he feels your

health history warrants it.

Hope this helps. Good luck on your consultation and let us know how

things go!

Terri Hassiak

BMI 60

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=H980366398

Appealed " Out-of-Network " Ins. Denial - AND WON!!!

BPD/DS with Dr Pomp on 6/25/01

email(no spaces): bunsofluff @ hotmail.com

> Next month I have a consultation with Dr. Gagner. I would like to

know

> what are the steps after this consultation to actually getting a

date

> for surgery? Should I schedule an upper endoscopy soon after the

> consultation? WHat about the blood tests? Are the tests required

> before surgery different for everybody? How long will I have to

wait?

> Thanks for your help.

>