I was all set for the band until I found this page. I have completely done a 360 and now I am convinced the sleeve is best for me.

3 questions:

Any recommendations for surgeon in Atlanta/Gainesville area?

I have United Health, has anyone been approved through them and about how long did it take?

The insurance said I had to be on a Doctor's supervised diet for 6 months prior, why is this and what does it involve?

Thank you for all your help.

Let me start out by saying all UHC is not the same. The requirements can vary by employer. Have you registered as a bariatric patient with UHC? Your case manager will send a packet of requirements. There are some requirements not in the paperwork. For example you might need to get your psych eval pre-certified and go to someone with a doctorate (not a masters degree).

I had to 6 months physician supervised weight loss and 6 months of support groups. I did not know this at first. So make sure you know so you can start them at the same time. Also both of these had to be consecutive months. If you miss a month you have to start over.

I am sending my file to a doctor in Atlanta today. My current surgeon recommended Dr S Scott Davis Jr. I have not met him or been to his office yet. He performs surgeries at Emory Crawford Long in midtown. There is a VST member that has used this doctor and was very pleased.

Let me start out by saying all UHC is not the same. The requirements can vary by employer. Have you registered as a bariatric patient with UHC? Your case manager will send a packet of requirements. There are some requirements not in the paperwork. For example you might need to get your psych eval pre-certified and go to someone with a doctorate (not a masters degree).

I had to 6 months physician supervised weight loss and 6 months of support groups. I did not know this at first. So make sure you know so you can start them at the same time. Also both of these had to be consecutive months. If you miss a month you have to start over.

I am sending my file to a doctor in Atlanta today. My current surgeon recommended Dr S Scott Davis Jr. I have not met him or been to his office yet. He performs surgeries at Emory Crawford Long in midtown. There is a VST member that has used this doctor and was very pleased.

Thanks, i in fact do have the package, but I have not done anything with it. Would you mind telling me what kind of supervised diet you are currently using? I go to my regular Dr on Feb 9 so am planning to get started with the pre-reqs on that day. Do I find my own Psychologist or does the Bariatic group do that?

After I registered, I was assigned a case manager. After I talked with the case manager, I was assigned a behavior management specialist. The BHS gave me a list of two doctors with the office phone numbers in my area that were in network. I called and made the psych evaluation appointment then called the BHS back and she provided me with the authorization number.

I went to my PCP for the supervised weight loss. He filled out a monthly worksheet that checks your weight, eating plan, exercise, and behavior modifications (like drinking sodas). I am going today to my PCP for him to sign off on the insurance form -which is a recap/summary of the 6 months on a single sheet. And to get a letter clearing me for bariatric surgery.

I will go to my 6th support group meeting on Feb 15th where the coordinator will sign off on my insurance summary page.

I think this will be the last of my insurance requirements! I sure hope there are no more surprises!