Newbie here

[Stacy]

Hi,
I'm new here and I have a few questions. I have my consult appt with Dr. Allam on Jan 4th. What will happen at that appt? How long is it from the consult appt until the actual surgery? Also does anyone here have HIP medicaid? If so, was it hard to get your surgery approved? How long did it take for an approval or a denial? Sorry for asking so many questions, I'm sure I'll have more in the near furture.
Thanks for your time,
Stacy

[Esa]

Well congrats on making your first step. I cant tell you exactly how long it will take. But you will discuss with Dr. Allam the exact procedure, he will answer any questions you have about the surgery and recovery. He will also give you a packet of paper work to explain everything and you will get a list of Dr.s you need to go to for clearance. This is for you benefit as well as helping with insurance approval. Once you have gotten all of your pre-op appoitments done you will get a surgery date. I would suggest going to the support group meeting in January. There will be people there from many different stages that can help answer any questions. You can also post questions here and get a response. As for recovery everyone has a different recovery period. I would suggest 6 weeks off from work, but some people were able to go back to work in 2 weeks. Good Luck. You picked a great surgeon. One thing about Dr. Allam...He talks very fast.....So dont hesitate to ask him to slow down.... mdnl

Good Luck..

[Regina]

Hi Stacy welcome aboard. You are going to be very happy that you choose this path to go on. I can tell you that it is the best thing that has ever happened to me. My only regret is that I didn't do it years ago. Then again if I did it then I wouldn't have the best surgeon around would I? I am a firm believer of things happen for a reason and meeting and finding Dr Allam was meant to be. :D

Your first visit Nanette will give you a folder with all the information in it along with the doctors that you have to see. My suggestion is as soon as you go home make all your appointments. The sooner you see all the doctors that are necessary the sooner you get a date. I believe that if you have seen most of them before your next appointment and they submitted your paper work to the insurance company you might get a date. If not on the 2nd appointment I am sure by the 3rd one.

I know when I got my date I was walking on air. I knew that my day to a new life was going to start on September 4th.
Just come to the support meetings and do your research on this surgery. It is not an easy way out. Dr Allam is giving us a tool and we all need to learn how to use that tool correctly. Follow all the advice that Pat (nutritionist Great person to talk to) gives you. It is very important to take it slow and do what you are told. One step in front of the other. We are all here to help one another so if you need to ask a question use this message board. Someone will get back to you. Again Lots of luck on your New Journey to the Losing side.

I am 15 months out and lost a total of 140lbs! Woot_Emoti roundhouse badscales

[Bobbie]

Welcome to the group. Everything you have read prior to my post is really the best way to go. After your first appt with Dr Allam, you will have alot of your questions answered. As far as getting the surgery approved, Dr Allam and his staff will do everything possible to get that approval. Good luck and hope to see you on the losing side. (Don't forget to come to the January meeting) Well time for me to hit the sack thud

[Stacy]

I've been in contact with like 5 of Dr. Allam's patients. They all think he is wonderful! I know I've made the right decision by choosing to go to him.
I am so ready to get this show on the road. I've been thinking about this surgery for at least a year. I've researched, researched and then researched some more.
I'm praying my insurance company (HIP medicaid) approves my surgery. My BMI is 40.2 and I am a little over 100lbs overweight.
Does anyone ever chat? Everytime I go into the chat room it's empty. I hope to get to know you all better.

[Regina]

Hi Stacy lat me know when it is a good time for you and I will see if that is good for me. I am on the computer pretty much throughout the day. Just leave a time here. Mornings are good after I get back from working out.roundhouse I know we might be able to get a few others at that time. Just let me know what is good for you.Then I will set something up with you. Or you can call me at 924-9087 if you would like.

[Stacy]

Hi Regina,
Any time is a good time for me really. I'm a stay at home mom so I'm home all the time. You let me know when it's a good time for you and I'll be there. Mornings are crazy here...I have 6 kids. Afternoons and evenings aren't so crazy.
Thanks,
Stacy

[NCatena]

Hi to all you "newbies"!

My name is Nanette. I am the Program Coordinator for Hampton Bariatric (Dr. Allam). I wanted to walk you through your first visit with us, and the process of getting ready for surgery. I hope it answers any questions you may have.

1. You will come to our office with your insurance cards, etc. If you require a referral from your insurance company, please make sure you have one, and that it is good for at least 3 visits. This will get you to your surgical date.
2. I will ask you to complete a few pages of information about yourself. Be prepared (depending on your insurance comapnies requirements) to fill out a "diet and exercise history" page. Some require/some do not.
3. Once that is done, you will meet Dr. Allam. He will ask you many questions such as "how long have you been overweight, do you have other health issues, what made you seek out bariatric surgery, etc." He will ask you your height, take your weight, and then calculate your BMI. You will be given a folder FILLED with information you will need to get through this process. He will explain it to you. Your primary care physician will recieve letters after each pre-op visit, to keep him/her informed of your progress.
4. Once you leave the office, you will begin to make your appointments with the doctors we advised. The first appointments you need will be with the nutritionist (Pat...a living doll!) and a psychologist. Making the appointments immediately gets us closer to your surgery. Call me AS SOON AS YOU HAVE THOSE APPOINTMENTS! I will schedule the second appointment, and at that appointment, we choose your surgical date. Feel free to make the rest as well. Some of the doctors are very busy, and hard to get in with. The sooner you call, the better. I advise that you call them all the day of your first visit.
5. You may need a letter of medical necessity from you primary care physician. Again, some insurances require it, others do not. I feel that to have it is better. They can fax it to me. 287-6213 There are guidlines for that letter in the blue folder we give to you. If your doctor has any questions, he/she can call me. I will be happy to guide them through!
6. Once I have all the documentation I need, I will call or fax your information to your insurance company to "precertify" your surgery. This process can take as little as a day or two, or a week or so. The more info I have early on, the better. Most insurance companies are easy to deal with, with a few exceptions. I will discuss that with you at the office, or you can call me there.
7. Once we have your surgical date, your final appointment will be scheuled with us on that same date as your pre-op testing. That is 6 days prior to your surgery. Follow the instructions given to you regarding your diet on those days.
8. SURGERY DATE! Once you are back up to your room, the nurses will determine when it's time for you to walk. DO IT! You may not feel like it, but the more you walk, the sooner you will heal. DO NOT drink anything unless Dr. Allam says it's ok!! NOTHING! You will be thirsty, but an IV will be in place, giving you all the fluids your body needs. It is imperitive to wait until you have passed the gastrografin test. It will determine if the stomach pouch is ready for fluids.
9. If all goes according to plan, you will go home after 2 days. You will be instructed to call me to make your first post-op viit. At that visit, the staples are removed. Then, we see you monthly for a check-up, lab work every other month. Please, for your own sake, keep up with your appointments! It is important that you be checked for weight loss, hernias, fungal skin infections, anemia, etc.
10. Attend support group meetings. Studies show that people who attend the meetings are more successful than their peers that do not. We are a rowdy bunch, and we have fun at the meetings. Dr. Allam, Pat (nutrition) and Maria (psychologist) will all be there, as well as lots of people in many different stages of recovery. I will also be there to answer any questions. Support group is every 3rd Tuesday at the Hampton Bays Public Library. 6:30pm-8:30pm. Come at 6pm if you are new, so I can help you with your insurance questions, or anything other questions you may have.

I am also a Gastric Bypass patient, as well as 2 of my daughters. I know exactly what you are feeling, and will be more than happy to help you in any way I can.

Follow the advise of the professionals....attend support meetings.....and LIVE YOUR LIFE to it's fullest! I look forward to helping you make this amazing change! I hope this is helpful to you! Call me anytime at the office, if you need anything! I am there for you!