I'm just starting this whole process. I've called my insurance company and they say I have to go thru 6 months supervised diet. They gave me a list of approved Dr.'s I can have the surgery with. My insurance covers up to 80% and I will have to pay the surgeons fees.

do I just call one of the Dr.'s and set up an appointment with them?

Would I just use their dietician for my supervised diet?

What if I have a hernia or need my gallbladder removed, will the surgeons fees then be paid by insurance? Anyone have any luck with that or ideas?

Thanks for any advise you can provide!

Jodi

Depends on your insurance, you may have to get a referral from your PCP. At my surgeons office they have a dietitian there. Patients that are required to do a diet, go thru her. You will have to pay a percentage of the surgeon's fees. Its the portion your insurance doesn't cover. Most weight loss surgeons require you to go their free seminar about the surgery before you can even make an appointment. Hope this helps.

Hi Jodi. Your first step, if you haven't already done so, is to call one or all of the surgeons and find out when there is a seminar. Go to the seminar and they will answer a lot of questions you may have. Find some other patients and find out who likes which doctor and why. I used the Nutritionist at my surgeon's office for my 3 month supervised diet as well. Some insurance companies will accept Weight Watchers but mine said it had to be supervised by a Doctor/Nutritionist. My surgeon's office gave me a list of what would happen in each stage. Congratulations for making the first step and I hope it all works out well for you.

You'll have to contact your insurance company to answer your specific plan coverage. They vary widely. Otherwise, all the advice above is correct. Most bariatric programs will have a qualified dietician to help you with your supervised weight loss plan. Good luck!!