Ok so my name is Stephanie. I am 5' 6" and 250 pounds that puts with a BMI of 40.3. I have been 'Dieting' for years. I have lost some weight before, but I always gain it back and then some. I have varies health problems, and have been told I am in the pre-diabetic stages. My grandmother has diabetes so I am already considered at risk. I really want to lose this weight. I want to be healthy. I am not lazy either. I exercise quite regularly. I think food is the main issue. I really want to be banded, but I dont know were to start. Do I see my regular docter or a surgeon? Will my insurance cover it. Who operates on minors? Please help me!

I know most surgeons have seminars that they put on and most surgeons won't see you unless you've attended one of those seminars. I'm not sure about everyone else but I didn't need to go to my personal dr before going to the surgeon's seminar. After attending the seminar I set up an appt with the surgeon and was ordered to get a medical clearance from my personal dr, that's the only time I saw my personal dr regarding the band. Other insurance companies may require you to get referred by your personal dr before hand.

That being said, it might be completely different in your situation because you're a minor. I'm assuming you're under one of your parents insurance, you might want to get that parent to call their insurance company to verify what you have to do.

Hope that helps. Good luck

First of all you need to find out if your insurance will cover it. You will also need to speak with your primary care doctor. I think that would be the first route. To discuss it with them and see what he or she thinks.

Hboyd is correct. The first place to start is with your insurance policy. It will spell out the conditions that must be met in order for bariatric surgery to be approved.

Depending on those conditions, you may have to have a referral from your PCP to a surgeon---or you may be able to initiate the process yourself.

My insurance covers the procedure for those who are 18 and older. (Don't be discouraged--the preop process is lengthy, and starting it now may be just right.) It does not require my PCP to be involved, so my next step was researching surgeons in my area.

My insurance specified that I use a Bariatric Center of Excellence, so that narrowed choices in my area. An acquaintance had used a certain surgical group, so I started (and stuck with them).

From there, it was a matter of following the surgeon's path: I started with their informational seminar. At that time, I provided insurance and other basic information. Within a day or two, the surgeon's insurance specialist verified that I was preapproved, and scheduled me for an appointment.

From there, it was a matter of following the surgeon's procedures (also guided by insurance requirements, to a certain degree): seeing various specialists for surgical clearance.

My insurance did require a 3-month supervised diet. My surgeon did not specify a plan; I was permitted to use any method that had been previously successful for me, but was required to lose 6 pounds within that time frame. (The amount was dictated by insurance; though they require a BMI of 40 without comorbidity, they used my STARTING weight---which is good, because the 6 pounds pushed me below 40).

Once all the criteria (surgeon and insurance requirements) were met, then the paperwork was submitted to insurance for final approval.

So...start with your policy. It will tell you what is required. Depending on its requirements, you will either see your family doctor or attend a surgeon's informational seminar.

If you are not relying on insurance, then you can start with the seminar.

Good luck! I think it's great that you're choosing to conquer this problem now, when you have your whole life ahead of you.