Hello! I am curious about others' experiences in regards to what role your general doctor played in you getting banded and the whole insurance struggle. In my case, my insurance company and the bariatric program at the hospital need about 5-10 years of medical records showing my weight struggles, which i doubt is uncommon. I called up my doctor and explained to her about the surgery, and then talked to their medical records person about sending the needed info. to the insurance company. They called the insurance for me and found out the specific info. they needed. I told the medical records lady all the personal info. she needed to send off to the insurance company and all seemed to be going smoothly. Then a few hours later, i got a call back from the doctor's office saying that my doctor needed to speak to me before she could write the letter to the insurance company, they did not specify exactly why.....

Well, with that all being explained I am wondering what you all think of this, and what was your general doctor's role in your band journey???? Thank you!!!! :Banane56:

My PCP faxed over my records for the past 5 years to prove I have been overweight that long and have tried to lose weight. Other than that he had nothing to do with my surgery. He is very supportive now, but I never spoke to him about it. I am his poster child for Lap Band.

Luckily For Me My Pcp Is A Bariatric Specialist Too. He Is The One Who Told Me About The Band. The Best Selling Point Was When He Told Me That He Had The Surgery Done On Himself 4 Years Ago. I Feel Extremely Comfortable Asking Him "any" Questions As I Specify That I Want An Answer From A Lap Band Wearer...

He Had To Prepare A Letter Of Recommandation But The Surgeon's Assistant Gave Him A Template Of What Was Usually Required From Insurance Co. I Guess At This Point That I Will Be His First Patient Going For The Lap Band (i Intend To Confirm This With Him Tomorrow At Appt.) He Was A Great Help Getting Me All The Appt. Quickly For The Necessary Medical Clearances And Testing. All Was Done In 2 Weeks Time.

In Conclusion, From The Time I Met Him To The Surgery Date = 2 Months. I Have To Clarify That I Prayed For An Answer To My Obesity Problem So When He Came To My Road, I Recognized That As The Answer.

After a consultation with the very large staff at the surgeon's office, they explained everything, gave me a very long "chore" list and sent me on my way.

My PCP needed to write me a letter of medical necessity and coordinate all the other test requirements. My first visit with him was great--he's known me a long time and agreed that the LB was appropriate. He had done some research on his own and answered a lot of questions for me. My insurance requires referrals from the PCP for everything.

After two office visits, all I had to do was call the PCP office and request specific referrals as I worked my way down the chore list.

The first appointment I made with my PCP, the office manager asked why I was coming in. I replied, "Because I'm too damn fat." She laughed and said she'd pass it on.

BTW, my surgeon doesn't meet with the patient until all the legwork is done and insurance has approved the procedure. He has a great supportive office staff.

My PCP unfortunately only turned out to be a hindrance in me getting my surgery. I had done cholesterol and b.p. tests with him as well as xrays for my knees. Though I had lab results done with him when I first started my journey stating that my cholesterol was at 215 and was considered high he wanted more recent lab results so he tested it again feb and it went down to 190 somehow so he determined that it wasn't a comorbity anymore. When he got my xrays back from my knees he said that he could see where there was 'pre-arthritis' in my knees but he wouldn't write that in to recommend me for surgery. So all I really had then was my depression meds that I could use as a comorbity. My BMI was 37. I was heartbroken that he wouldn't write a nice referral letter to my insurance co to try to get me the surgery. He just told me that he honestly didnt think I needed it and to get back on the treadmill and start eating better!! I was so mad at him.....He was worthless. I just wasted more time going to him and he wasn't even my PCP for very long--he was referred to me by a friend who had the band and had no problems getting the letter, though my friend was much heavier than me starting out. So, to make a long story short I ended up going to Mexico with Ortiz b/c I was sick of playing his stupid games. I still will not go back to that doctor b/c all he did is get in the way, take my $$ for endless test and delay my surgery.

~Liz~

03/10/06

241/169/160

5'7''

I am nervous because I have not had the surgery as yet. Last year I was referred to the specialist and they submitted the paper work to the insurance co. I was rejected for the lap band, but approved for the really

bad stuff..(you know where they cut your intestines or staple the stomach), anyway I choose to not have this done and just bide my time. A few months ago our insurance co. changed. I contacted the specialist and requested that they resubmit my paper work...which they did do and I was approved. I have or am having the following done before surgery....sleep disorder testing, phycological testing, blood work, and nurtritionalist interview. The specialist office has informed me that once these test are done I can have the surgery the next day. Hey, when do I have help with my head.....I mean don't I need something besides just being thrown onto the table and snip, snip, I'm done......bye for now? I am feeling that I am just a number and they don't care......except for the money..Maybe I'm over reacting....but I am in need of some tutoring. According to some of the post, I see that some of you are required to diet before the surgery for a few weeks to prepare the stomach for the banding. Is this correct? I would appreciate some one explaining what actually I should be having done...compared to what I am not having done. Sharlene

I just hope my pcp is open minded about me getting help for some reason Im so nervous about seeing her. I have an appt on thursday and my stomach is doing cartwheels:cry I just dont know what to expect so i will keep you posted on whats going on and please keep me posted on ya'lls sucess:scared:

IF ANYONE HAS AETNA HMO FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE LET ME KNOW HOW MANY CARTWHEELS I WILL HAVE TO TURN BEFORE THEY SAY YES TO MY SURGERY..:omg:

...wait that sounds bad!

My general doctor hardly new anything about the lapband and she never had a patient that had WLS. I was nervous about talking with her too, especially since she had little experience with the subject. However, I think since I was prepared with information and knowledge to share with her, she really understood the surgery better and why I was so interested in having it. The visit I had with her was a few months ago, and now my surgery date is about a month away and she has given me all of the support that I needed from her! Good luck!