the steps of getting gastric bypass surgery.. from first dr visit, insurance, all the way to surgery day?

Answer 1

I had mine in 1992 so I hope the info isn't too dated. It should give you some ideas though:

First thing's first, call you insurance carrier and see if they cover it at all. Some don't. Some have specific guidelines. Get the info up front and before you see your doctor. Or, it's close to Annual Enrollment for most companies...that time of year where you have an open book to change your benefits. See which other carriers you might have an option to select that would cover the surgery. Just make sure they don't require you to be a participant (member) for a certain amount of time before having something like that done.

Your medical provider should also be able to direct you to online tools (or send you information) about this surgery. Or you may have an employee assistance program at work that would be able to send you this type of info. Or your doc office might be able to hook you up. Ask, get it and read it...cover to cover.

You should have already asked yourself these questions: Are you 100 or more pounds overweight? Is the weight causing you other problems or aggravating existing medical conditions? This will be support for your insurance claim and to bring to your doctor.

First doc visit will likely be a list of questions including the ones above but also something like, have you exausted every other way to take the weight off? What diets, what kind of exercise, etc. If you don't have a doc already selected, please, please, please choose carefully. Ask at your PCP office if there are support groups for GBS patients and GO, not only for doc referrals but to get advise, hear other people's stories, find out what it is really like. They didn't offer this when I had mine done and I sure wish they had. I would have been more prepared for before, immediately after and years after the surgery.

Your doc will probably also run some tests to rule out any medical conditions that cause you to be obese (thyroid problems for one, sorry, can't think of others off the top of my head).

After my doc agreed I was a good candidate for the surgery, I was required to attend an outpatient eating disorders program. The logic was if you are a compulsive overeater before the surgery (which is how many of us become obese in the first place), you need to deal with the root cause of the problem and not expect a quick fix. People can and do put the weight back on if they don't figure out why they eat in the first place (depression, anxiety, loneliness, whatever). This may or may not be a requirement for you depending on your doctor and your insurance.

This is probably what you want to know and I'm afraid I'll have to leave it to others to fill in the gaps but I remember a few exams prior to the surgery to ensure I was fit enough to withstand it. Some of it was basic...bloodwork, blood pressure, etc., but I do specifically recall a test where a doctor's finger ended up in my butt (gross, I know. And I can't for the life of me remember why it was done).

The day of surgery is pretty much like any other surgery you might have. My mom happened to work at the hospital where I had mine done so she was specific in picking the anesthesiologist (sp??). Most people don't have that option so you'll probably meet him/her that day. The nurse will prep you with leggings that puff up and down like a blood pressure cuff to prevent clotting. Your doc and various nurses will come in to see if you have questions. They will install an IV. Eventually they'll wheel you into an operating room (where you'll have a good few minutes to wonder why in the hell you thought this was a good idea!) and then they'll give you the magic sleepy drug. Probably before you are completely out they'll start prepping you. They splayed my arms out like a crucifiction and tied them down...it was very odd. Then I was out.

You will be much luckier than I was. They perfom the surgery orthoscopically now. That wasn't an option for me and I ended up being cut open from my sternum to below my navel...not pretty at all. Looks like I had open heart surgery.

But you basically just asked for up to the day of surgery and while my experience might be slightly different due to the elapsed time and how different docs/insurance companies work, for the most part, this is what to expect.

Take the decision seriously. People do die from having it done (hence the need to choose your doc carefully) and many people eventually gain the weight back. The support groups they have now are wonderful. I wish they had them when I was going through it. Take advantage of them. And remember that there are side effects to the surgery. I am iron and B12 anemic because my body doesn't have the chance to absorb the nutrients as it should. I have to take supplements and injections to resolve that. My stomach muscles are and will always be very weakend (probably not so much for you with the orthoscopic-type surgery). If you lose a lot of weight and have a lot of saggy skin, follow-up surgery to remove it might be necessary (might be wise to ask your insurance if this is covered as well. Some might consider it cosmetic while others consider it a downstream impact of the surgery and they are expecting the cost). You also have to alter your lifestyle forever, not just to keep the weight off, but because of physical limitations. To this day I encounter foods that require special care when eating. If I don't chew all foods well, I still have occasions where I end up throwing up. In particular, things like meat, carrots and bread need to be chewed well or again, I end up throwing them up. Not often mind you, and certainly not as often as, say, the first few years after the surgery, but it still happens a few times a year.

I could go on far too long. If you wanted post-surgery answers, I could fill you in on a few things. Just post a new question and I'll keep my eyes out for it.

Best of luck to you with your decision. The first month after my surgery I thought I had made the worst decision of my life. Looking back, I wish I didn't have to go through it, but I no longer regret the decision.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Gastric Bypass Surgery /gastrectomy/stomach stapling /lapband (all types of bariatric surgery) is very safe nowadays.It is very cheap in India.There is one company that is very famous in India that arranges obesity surgery for foreigners in India.They are called the Forerunners Healthcare.I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and about their patient stories.

I have also read that they arrange financing for american and canadian patients as obesity surgery is not covered by insurance.They also have photos pasted of their International patients.You can checkout their website.The cost savings are incredible.As a doctor i personally believe that your obesity surgery can be easily handled in India as the quality of healthcare available here is simply best in the world.The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

My cousin got her revision surgery for gastric bypass in India through the forerunners healthcare .She is more than very happy with the results.She has lost 65lbs in 5 months.She just paid 25% of the amount she was quoted in USA and is all praise for this forerunners healthcare company.hope this helps

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com

Answer 4

Enroll in an active fine art class, such as sculpture or even ceramics.

Answer 5

Get a plant for your office—watering it will make you more active.

Answer 6

Keep a modest water glass, which you should refill often, instead of a sizable water bottle on your workspace.

Answer 7

I do think should you reduce ones tummy along with get accustomed to eating a lesser amount of, it will help.

Answer 8

Drink lots involving water. (You'll stand up for refills and trips on the bathroom. )

Answer 9

Stand up each time you talk for the phone.

Answer 10

Stand up each time you talk within the phone.