Lisa Speaks! What to Expect Before Your Weight Loss Surgery

Lisa Harris of Clementon, NJ, was a self-proclaimed “yo-yo” dieter her whole life. Moved by her father’s dying request to get healthy, Harris had gastric bypass surgery at Penn Medicine with Alan Schuricht, MD, FACS. 

I remember back in November 2010 when I first started investigating bariatric surgery. I’d considered it years before, but I always thought it would be painful, and with a long recovery process. And then there are the horror stories – the mere mention of surgery and everyone “knows someone” who had complications or failed. I decided to find the best of the best at Penn Medicine.

The Information Session That Started it All

Sure, the process in the beginning can be overwhelming. You go to an informational seminar, where you’re met with a barrage of information, put on overload, and handed a binder full of prerequisites to be done prior to surgery. Insurance varies from plan to plan, but bariatric surgery is becoming much more accepted and I was happy to learn that my procedure would be covered 100 percent for the most part.

The day after I went to my information session, I called my primary care physician and made an appointment to discuss it with him. He was initially opposed to the idea, telling me that he could try me on diet pills and a strict diet. I refused the medication due to risks, but did schedule monthly visits for weight monitoring. The process had begun!

Initial Consultation

Next was my initial consultation with the surgeon. I had to wait until January for my appointment, but that gave me three months’ of weight management with my primary care physician. Dr. Schuricht told me I was a perfect candidate for the surgery. At that time, I weighed 357 pounds. He explained the surgery in more detail, discussed the pre-op and post-op process, and really set my mind at ease. I knew this was the right decision for me.

Pre-Surgery Testing

Then started all the testing. It took me a while to process the information in the packet I was given. At times it felt overwhelming, but once I broke all the steps down, everything fell right into place. I had the initial blood work done the following week. In late January, I scheduled my upper GI, and February I had a sleep study. I’d never had a formal sleep study before, and the day after, they called me and requested a re-test immediately because my sleep apnea was so bad.

During those months, I continued seeing the primary doctor for weight monitoring. Even with the strict diet he had me on, I could only lose a few pounds. The doctor finally agreed that bariatric surgery was the right choice for me, and he sent his recommendation letter to Penn.

My next test was paramount: The psychiatric evaluation. The reasons for a psychiatric evaluation prior to surgery are simple. They need to ensure that you are committed to making the lifestyle changes that are necessary to make the surgery a success, and to make sure every patient is aware that the surgery is not a magic bullet, but a tool to help you change. My psych evaluation went well, at the end the doctor told me that she would recommend me for the surgery.

One last test was a cardiac workup. This made me nervous because I was already suffering from high blood pressure due to my weight. I was often afraid that my weight and blood pressure had taken its toll on my heart. To my surprise, I was given a clean bill of cardiac health. The last hurdle was cleared!

Setting The Date

With all my testing completed, the bariatric coordinator at Penn got everything together and sent all of my information to my insurance for approval. This was in early April 2011. In a few days, I saw on the insurance website’s patient portal that my authorization was pending. I checked that portal twice a day, every day. It was always pending. Then one day when I got home from work, there was an envelope from my insurance company in the mailbox. Just one thin envelope. I opened it nervously, expecting it to be a denial. I couldn’t believe my eyes as I read that they were approving the request! I was shaking and crying from happiness!

The following day I called Penn and we scheduled my surgery for May 2, 2011. We also scheduled my nutrition class, which was important for me to learn about what types of food I would be able to eat post surgery, and what the best protein supplements would be. I also learned about vitamins and the importance of water.

All told, my pre-op process was just under 6 months, from the information seminar to the day of my surgery. I was out of work for three weeks. I’m now just over two years post surgery. I’ve lost 166 lbs. Size wise, I went from a tight 28 to a 12. I’ve traded my 5X tops for a size L.

My total out of pocket expenses for the surgery were $475.

In the grand scheme of things, $475 was a small price to pay for the health and long life that I’ve been given in exchange.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Penn can help you lose weight.

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.