First off, call your insurance company to confirm coverage, and what you need to qualify. Most require a BMI of 40 or over or a BMI of 30-39 with 1 or 2 comorbidities. Many also have a long laundry list of hoops that need to be jumped through before they will cover the surgery. Various tests and nutrition classes.
Then see your primary care doctor for a referral if one is needed. If you can self-refer make an appointment with a surgeon.
Many surgeons offer free information seminars to help you wade through the process.
You'll go to an informational session first. Other people will be there, the Surgeon or staff will present the different WLS options, and if they are good (in my opinion) will explain every possible danger as well as the great things that can come of the surgery. After that appointment they will contact the insurance company and get you information on exactly what you will pay out of pocket and they will also let you know what the insurance requires you to do. (You can also contact the insurance company and find out the same stuff)
If you are interested in pursuing further, you'll have an appointment with the dr to go over your health. From that point the Doctor will order up a bunch of visits. A Psyche Eval, a Chest xray, blood work, a barium swallow to get pictures of your stomach and esophogus, and any other appointments that are needed based on your health.
2 weeks prior to surgery you'll have a pre-op appointment where you'll get information, your doctor will ask you to go on some sort of pre op diet. I see some people who say they have to go on a liquid diet. We were only told to lose a little weight before the surgery, so we went on the Atkins diet for the week.
If you don't like the doctor and you want a band you have to get over that, because after banding you'll have to go to appointments for fills. I haven't had a fill yet, but my surgeon is adamant with us about coming in once a month for the first 12 months for the best success.
I hope this helps and I hope you find all the answers you need to make your decision!
