Newbie here

[HeavyDutyQ-tee 2]

Hello. Im new here. Very interested in Lab Band Surgery. I have read and watched just about every article n video on the internet about Lap Band n I really wanna get going with the process. Should I wait n still attend a seminar or go ahead n schedule my first appt n get this show on the road??? Any suggestions are welcomed. Thx

[54Shirley 105]

You need the seminar for educational purposes, gather Info, maybe meet your surgeon, and the staff. Once they are all done, and they ask if there's any questions in General... Then ask about scheduling your appointment. They will probably tell you to call, and schedule. So if you meet the nurse who does the scheduling, give her your name, and tell her you will call in the morning.

[Bluegreen 0]

I know each surgeon is different, but my surgeon required several things prior to the first appointment. One was that I had to attend a seminar. He also required me to gather the past 2 years worth of medical records and obtain a letter from my primary care doctor stating that she supported me, and my decision to have the surgery. I started this process back in April and should be ready for surgery in October.

If your insurance is paying, you may find that they have requirements as well. I have to see a dietician and primary care doctor 6 times in 6 months before they will consider approving the surgery. So, I knew right from the start that this will be at least a 6 month process. In addition to the monthly visits, I have undergone a lot of diagnostic testing and even a psych eval as part of the surgical clearance process. I have finished everything except those monthly visits. I'll keep doing that through September.

This forum has been very helpful. Everyone here seems eager to help and answer questions.

Good luck to you with your decision!

[Cocoabean 430]

If you have a surgeon picked out, give the office a call and find out what they require. I went through my insurance, so I had to attend the seminar and have a referral from my primary care doctor first. If you are self-pay, perhaps not. When I asked my primary care for a referral, I had already gone to one seminar, but he preferred a different surgeon in the group, so I went to him instead. That meant I went to two seminars, but I was good with that.

If you have no idea what surgeon you want to use and are going through your insurance, see your primary care doctor for a referral. He or she should know who your practice uses.

Going through insurance is usually not a quick process. Just be prepared for that. I did not have to do a 6 month supervised diet, but it still took me about 6 months from start to finish.

[jen120 23]

My surgeon won't make an appointment until you attend the seminar even though I already had the referral.

[bradison 0]

I attended a seminar may 21,11 and went thru insurance and was banded July 29,11. It can be as quick as that. Every situation is different. Best of luck to you.

[HeavyDutyQ-tee 2]

Thanks everyone got all your input. I'm going to just wait til I attend the seminar. Another question, do all doctors require a referral? I don't have a pcp. I only get a physical once every year or two from my job. Its required cuz I'm a truck driver. What if I can't come up with years of medical records? Will that be an issue?

[jen120 23]

Thanks everyone got all your input. I'm going to just wait til I attend the seminar. Another question, do all doctors require a referral? I don't have a pcp. I only get a physical once every year or two from my job. Its required cuz I'm a truck driver. What if I can't come up with years of medical records? Will that be an issue?

Most of us have referrals because that is what is required for our insurance. It depends on the kind of insurance you have. If you are self pay, then you just go directly to the surgeon. If you dont have medical records because you havent gone to the doctor, then you dont have them. I don't think that is a big deal.

[Cocoabean 430]

My insurance now allows for self-referral to a specialist, the co-pay is higher. Some require a letter from the PCP. It really does depend on the company and the surgeon.

[db5584 0]

Thanks everyone got all your input. I'm going to just wait til I attend the seminar. Another question, do all doctors require a referral? I don't have a pcp. I only get a physical once every year or two from my job. Its required cuz I'm a truck driver. What if I can't come up with years of medical records? Will that be an issue?

Everything depends on ur surgeon and ur insurance. Before u schedule an appointment check ur coordination of benefits and procedure guidelines with ur insurance company. Determine the type of coverage u have. If it's a *** u will need a referral from ur PCP. My surgeon had criteria of his own that needed to be fulfilled, he sent me to a cardiologist endocrinologist pulmonary doctor nutritionist and psychologist. I also had to have an endoscopy so he was able to determine my overall health based on the reports so don't worry if u don't have everything already.

[blessedmom2fourkids 0]

Always check with your insurance first. Mine didn't require a referral. Also, know what your surgeons office requires before attending a seminar. My surgeon is the head of bariatrics at the university and your info seminar and consultation are on the same day. You even see the dietian that day, which is nice because it counts as one of my 3 required visits to her, and you get weighed in that day. The weight that day is the weight they use to submit to insurance so make sure you know where your BMI falls just in case. Good luck on everything!

[HeavyDutyQ-tee 2]

Thanks again everyone for all you answers and input. My insurance doesn't require any referrals. So Im going to just wait til the seminar on Aug 18th. Ill get to meet the surgeon n his team. Ill just ask questions then. I know no matter what happens, from what Ive been hearing and reading, getting Lap Band is a lengthy procedure and many steps have to be taken. So I just have to be patient. It's going to happen when the time is right!!! (Good things come to those who wait...)