So I have been on this sight awhile reading all kinds of post and really getting alot of great information. I had decided to have the surgery awhile back but what I am having a hard time with is that don't know how to start. Do I pick out a Dr. first or contact the insurance company. When I spoke with my family Dr. about deciding that I wanted the surgery all she had to say was good luck with that. So now I'm sitting here going what do I do? If any one can help I'd be so grateful.

Thank you,

Lara

Call your insurance compnay and ask if they cover WLS. If they do, ask them what the requirements are - BMI, co-morbidities, etc. Once you have that info ask them for a bariatric suregeon on their preferred provider list and set up an appointment. They might tell you tour PCP needs to refer you, if that is the case set up an appointment with your doc and ask them for the referral.

Good luck. And if you get turned down for the surgery, search the web for info and tips on ways to get it appealed, a lot of people are successful if they battle the insurance company long enough.

Alternatively, you can do what i did and save the money to get it done in Mexico instead!

Good luck!

I had the same EXACT thought when I made the decision to have WLS. I wasn't sure what to do next-

My company's insurance was changing at the beginning of the year so I knew I'd have to wait until that was in place to find out about

coverage and so while I was waiting- I went to a seminar by a weight loss surgery group that also had the qualification of center of excellence-

It was good- I was able to ask questions about the offered procedures as well as some general insurance coverage questions.

They gave me a little packet that reviewed what to ask my insurance company BEFORE I made an appointment with them-

and an outline of their own requirements. It was good to have a bit of an idea of all the steps before I began this journey.

Congrats on your decision.

1. See if Insurance covers
2. Pick Dr. or surgeon
3. Go to Seminar
4. schedule consultation with Surgeon
5. submit supporting dr. notes and paper work
6. complete preliminar testing
7. schedule surgery date
8. start losing weight...!

Good luck!

Hi! I have decided to have the sleeve surgery. My date for surgery is set for the end of January 2012. My problem right now is losing the weight for the surgery any helpful hints?

Ok most doctors have a person who handles insurance. When I called my insurance they told me several things I would have to do to have the surgery. When I went to Dr. Clarks seminar the insurance lady handled the insurance for me once I decided to do this. I recieved a letter one week latter from the insurance company telling me I had been approved. I did not have to jump through the hoops. I had surgery 2 weeks later. I wrote the insurance company thanking them & letting them know how this has changed my life.

As for losing weight, my Dr. did not need us too, BUT he has a store with protien shakes for us fat people. I started the shakes 2 weeks before ( 4 shakes a day & walking) I lost 20 pounds before surgery.

I read in a WLS book "Nothing feels as good as Thin!" remember this as you start your new life.

I started by attending several weight loss surgery seminars held at hospitals in my area. That gave me a chance to meet several surgeons, find out their background, and get a feel for their personality, opinions, and surgery preferences. I also got a good sense of their program, pre-op requirements, and post-op support. I thought I might have to self-pay, so I asked at the seminars about pricing for self-pay patients and was surprised but gratified to get approximate price quotes. Some of them were willing to contact my insurance company for me, others wanted me to do it myself.

I'm surprised at the response you got from your family doctor - hope it was a sincere "good luck", not the sarcastic response I'm envisioning!

Ok most doctors have a person who handles insurance. When I called my insurance they told me several things I would have to do to have the surgery. When I went to Dr. Clarks seminar the insurance lady handled the insurance for me once I decided to do this. I recieved a letter one week latter from the insurance company telling me I had been approved. I did not have to jump through the hoops. I had surgery 2 weeks later. I wrote the insurance company thanking them & letting them know how this has changed my life.

As for losing weight, my Dr. did not need us too, BUT he has a store with protien shakes for us fat people. I started the shakes 2 weeks before ( 4 shakes a day & walking) I lost 20 pounds before surgery.

I read in a WLS book "Nothing feels as good as Thin!" remember this as you start your new life.

Who do you have for insurance? Where did you have your surgery done? That's impressive.

I started by attending several weight loss surgery seminars held at hospitals in my area. That gave me a chance to meet several surgeons, find out their background, and get a feel for their personality, opinions, and surgery preferences. I also got a good sense of their program, pre-op requirements, and post-op support. I thought I might have to self-pay, so I asked at the seminars about pricing for self-pay patients and was surprised but gratified to get approximate price quotes. Some of them were willing to contact my insurance company for me, others wanted me to do it myself.

I'm surprised at the response you got from your family doctor - hope it was a sincere "good luck", not the sarcastic response I'm envisioning!

Well, I'm not to worried about it. I got a new Dr. he's wonderful and very helpful.

Hi! I have decided to have the sleeve surgery. My date for surgery is set for the end of January 2012. My problem right now is losing the weight for the surgery any helpful hints?

I'm afraid to lose any weight before the surgery. I'm afraid if I do I want qualify for the surgery anymore.

Lara