I'm new to this and was wondering what everyone's first step was. Did you call your insurance co. first, talk to your pcp, or go to the bariatric office first? I know it can depend on your insurance coverage, but just wondering.

Have a great day!

the first step for me was information. I went to about 4 seminars. The one at the doctor I chose was the most informative and included a quick physical, and meetings with several people including the nutritionist, RN, Surgeon, Insurance specialist, and a presentation. It was about 4 hours. I also read everything that I could on the internet from studies to personal blogs.

Hi... My first step was getting the nerve to call the dr.'s office for more info. I thought alot, researched dr.'s in my area and then called. They suggested a seminar and it went from there. Went the the seminar, then made an appt. after the appt. it took me 4 months to make a decision (I was very nervous) once I made the decision everything fell in to place. They helped me coordinate all the testing, saw my family dr. and then scheduled the surgery. Best decision I have ever made! No regrets. Hasn't all been easy, there are rough spots, and no one can tell me I "took the easy way out" but I am so happy I did it.

Best of luck to you as you move forward. This board is one of the best spots for information and to get all your questions answered. I know I have counted on it many times

Diane

My first step was having my PCP make me an appt with the bariatric clinic. She's the one who suggested the surgery, and seemed to think the insurance would pay (it did). The bariatric clinic asked her to do an ECG, blood work, a chest xray, and to refer me to a pulomologist for a clearance because I have asthma. When all of that was done, paperwork was sent to BCBS, who approved it within 3 days. The bariatric clinic then scheduled my surgery. I started the process in May and was sleeved in July. They offered a June date, but I had time conflicts. The process was really easy, but that could be because I had a high BMI and because my bariatric center was in a pilot program with BCBS for the sleeve. That said, I had tried to have a gastric bypass in 2002 and 2005 and got stopped by insurance issues both times, in another state, with different insurance (Kaiser and UHC)

First mentioning weight loss surgery to my doctor, after doing research and finding out I wasnt qualified for Bypass nor wanting lapband... I thought it was over, then my friend mentioned the vertical sleeve....

next was talking to the company who will be supporting me down in Mexico and lots of research

and then talking to my family Doctor ... who said go for it!!

woohoo!!

Hmm, guess I'll start with my pcp then, and see where it goes. Thanks for all the info, you guys are great :001_unsure:

Some PCP's are tottaly against it DONT LET THEM TALK YOU OUT OF IT!!! If they do try to talk you out of it find a seminar and go it by your self I have done all the work with out my PCP, just have the surgen order the tests for you. Good luck keep us posted

I went to my primary and got the recommendation from him. Then I made the appt for the first seminar and then the required classes for the insurance. I have my thrid on Aug 24 then I believe they send it to the insurance. My insurance pay for the sleeve plus I have sleep apnea. So far everything is falling into place. Hope it continues..

Good Luck..:blushing:

I'm new to this and was wondering what everyone's first step was. Did you call your insurance co. first, talk to your pcp, or go to the bariatric office first? I know it can depend on your insurance coverage, but just wondering.

Have a great day!

I did lots of interenet research, went through my insurance company. They recommended a "Center of Excellence". I chose Baptist Metabolic Surgery Center. I contacted them, attended a seminar and watched a on-line few videos. Baptist ran my insurance, which required 6 months of documented weight loss effort with monthly vsisits. That was frustrating. I was well qualified between my BMI and other health issues (sleep apnea, high blood pressure and cholesterol, pre-diabetic. My family doctor did the 6 month "weight loss effort" with me. She wrote the letter of recommendation and sent it along with progress notes to the surgery center. Then had a visit with my surgeon, and was able to schedule surgery within weeks. Had an upper GI and other pre-op lab work on Friday. My surgery is for Monday, 8/16. Overall, about an 8 months time period. I'm on the pre-op diet now. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. It was a long process, but I'm glad I went through it. Good luck.

Melinda

Dr Lynch

Starting BMI - 45

Lost 6 pounds in first 5 days on pre-op

Surgery 8/16/10

Edited August 9, 201015 yr by MKK
oops - should have spell checked

:thumbup1:For me, it all started after the family Christmas (2009) dinner. I was very unhappy with my appearance in the Christmas dinner photos. Aside from a big gut, I had other medical concerns that resulted in me going to my PCP for advice. I had heard about Bariactric procedures and I wanted to get a medical opinion on whether or not I would be a good candidate.

My doctor felt that it would be a good step for me as it would improve some of my other ailments and possible reduce the amount of prescription medications (about 11) that I was taking daily.

The Doctor referred me to the Weight Loss Clinic (Kaiser Permanente) and was scheduled to attend a seminar on the various surgeries.

As a Medicare patient, I was concerned whether or not the procedure would be covered. Through Kaiser, I was informed that the procedure would be covered if my PCP determined the surgery to be "Medically Necessary", which she did.

Within a week of the orientation class, I was scheduled an appointment with the head Bariactric surgeon, who agreed that I could benefit from the procedure. I was then scheduled for a 12 week surgical preparation and education class. I am currently in the 6th week of the classes, and I am certain that I made the right decision...Bariactric surgery is the right course for me.

The process started with an information session at Banner Gateway Bariatric Center. The information sessions are free. Take the time to do your research.

I went online searching uhc website, called them and registered for someone to call me back, it took a week and they gave the ok to attend seminar and gave me Dr's names to choose from. I was lucky I went to seminar Feb 26th and surgery was April 29th. Good luck!

Wow, so many responses, lol. Well, I decided to call my insurance company first, and see if bariatric surgeries were excluded on my policy or not. Luckily, they do cover all forms of bariatric surgery. I also found out I don't need a referral, so I just need to find a surgeon. I've found 2 local surgeons who seem to have great reviews. I've looked around and found seminars just about every Sat. morning and support group Sat. afternoons, I'm just wondering which would be better to go to first.

I called my insurance first and found out that it was covered. I then found a surgeon that interested me and went to a seminar (VERY informative) and now am scheduled for my first consultation with him on the 19th.