getting started

[havfaith44 0]

hi, all

I'm just getting started and i really don't know what to do first. i got my package from my doctor. Well, i'm supposed to find a weight loss program that is doctor supervised for about 6 months. Then i must find a shrink that doesn't cost a million, get a physical and it all seems just so much. I weight 320 and i can't walk a half a block. I am currently seeing a heart doctor and a lung doctor because i smoked for 32 years. I want my lap band not just to loss weight but to breath better. If someone help me to arrange a kind of 1,2,and then do 3 kind of thing it would be greatly appreciated.

need help from the gate

havfaith44:help:

[Mvpo8961 1]

havfaith44 tell us a little more about yourself. Where do you live. Do you have insurance are are you going to self pay.

Really the insurance vs selfpay is probably the most important as far as getting started. You generally have many more hoops to jump through for insurance approval.

Congrats on your decision to change your life.

Myra

[*susan* 1,709]

Hi Havfaith and welcome to LBT, glad you found us! I guess I am not really sure what you are looking for when you say give you steps in 1-2-3. It sounds to me like you already have a pretty good idea of what you need to do. If your doctor is telling you that you are required to be on a supervised weight loss program for six months, then I would get busy with that right away.

As Mvpo mentioned, it might be more helpful if we knew a little more information. She is right, if you are going to have your surgery paid for by insurance, then it can be a much longer process than going through private pay. Primarily because so many insurance companies do require a supervised diet prior to even agreeing to consider approving the surgery. However, if you are going to be self-pay, then usually all the doctor requires is a physical, nutritional consult, psych. eval., and some medical tests such as blood work and ekg. Many also require a sleep apnea assessment. This can all usually be done in a matter of a few weeks time.

[rsbell 0]

It's pathetic that they are making you jump through so many hoops. What evidence does your insurance need other than the scale telling you you're "320"?!

Granted, I'm new to this forum, and am just starting the process of getting my lp, it just annoys me to no end that some insurance company is making it so dificult for you to have this life-altering (and potentially life-saving) procedure.

Ok, I feel better.

Good luck!

[shell04937 0]

In the past have you done weight loss programs? What kind and how long? is there documentation showing this of any kind?

For example. I used the medication Meridea to loose weight and tried twice and gained all 20 lbs plus back. my old insurance was going to take that into consideration. But then we switched insurance providers and my new insurance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusets just required Dr.'s recomendation, psych eval, nutrition eval and that was it. I was approved as soon as I had those things done.

I just had my surgery on Friday Sept 22. I started looking into this process over 2 yrs ago but my old insurance gave me problems. Just keep pushing forward and the process wont seem so long.

Good luck and welcome to the board.

[havfaith44 0]

good morning all, this is havfaith44. i would like to thank u all for some great information. i have care first blue choice insurance. congrats to shell! well, i guess i'll call the insurance company and ask the what do they need and see what they say. Then i'll go to jenny craig and sign up. i was told that a doctor monitors you while you're on the program. thanks so much everybody i feel like i have a plan now. toodles!

[Alexandra 55]

Havfaith, the very first thing you should do is call your PCP and schedule a physical. Get the diagnosis of morbid obesity in your file, get a diet plan from your doctor (they will have one copied and ready to hand you), and have followup appointments at least once a month for the next six months. If you're already seeing specialists you can get supporting letters from them when it's time for surgery, but you need that all-important PCP physical and diagnosis. You're going to need that at some point anyway, so why not kill both birds with one stone?

You don't need to also join Jenny Craig unless you want to. It may or may not be considered a qualifying program anyway, so definitely don't do it until you know for sure if it will count. Six months of visits with your PCP will serve the same purpose, as long as it's clear that you're going because you're following a diet plan and are being medically supervised.

[GayleTX 1]

I would think the surgeon's office could refer you to an appropriate shrink....many of them don't want anything to do with weight loss patients for fear of liability since there is surgery involved. When you call a mental health provider for an appointment, be sure and tell them your purpose in coming.

And may I wish you great success.....I was about your size and also handicapped only a few short months ago....couldn't walk but just a few feet, even had a hard time driving, couldn't do my housework, hadn't been in a mall or even Walmart in 6 years. Now.....only 6 months after surgery.....I am a new person. I walk a mile every day on the treadmill, I'm driving, I'm sleeping well, I take less than half the meds I used to.....it's wonderful to have a life again (and I'm 62 years old). Just wanted to let you know that all the paperwork, all the appointments, all the aggravation we go thru to get this surgery is worth it and wish you the best!!!

[GayleTX 1]

I would think the surgeon's office could refer you to an appropriate shrink....many of them don't want anything to do with weight loss patients for fear of liability since there is surgery involved. When you call a mental health provider for an appointment, be sure and tell them your purpose in coming.

And may I wish you great success.....I was about your size and also handicapped only a few short months ago....couldn't walk but just a few feet, even had a hard time driving, couldn't do my housework, hadn't been in a mall or even Walmart in 6 years. Now.....only 6 months after surgery.....I am a new person. I walk a mile every day on the treadmill, I'm driving, I'm sleeping well, I take less than half the meds I used to.....it's wonderful to have a life again (and I'm 62 years old). Just wanted to let you know that all the paperwork, all the appointments, all the aggravation we go thru to get this surgery is worth it and wish you the best!!!

[sleepyjean 0]

Do you have to go with that surgeon/program? Maybe you could shop around for a different one that's a little more accomodating.