Hi,

I am a newbie and I have been thinking of getting sleeve more & more.

However I would love to chat with some one one how to get started.

Something I did do not sure if I should have was contacted my insurance company (on my own) just to see if it would be covered in my plan.

The answered that I got was yes but of coarse with a low cost dedictible fee etc.....

I asked my primary doctor if he thought I was a good candidate for a lap band. I had not even heard of VSG. He gave me a referral to the Bariatric Clinic at Loyola University, so I contacted them. They explained my options and advised that I would be a good candidate for the sleeve.

I asked my primary doctor if he thought I was a good candidate for a lap band. I had not even heard of VSG. He gave me a referral to the Bariatric Clinic at Loyola University, so I contacted them. They explained my options and advised that I would be a good candidate for the sleeve.

So it would be best if I started out with my PC doctor? I already now I am a good candidate LoL he constantly tells me to lose weight

I contacted the bariatric center I wanted to go through. They had me watch one of their seminars. I then decided to go with them and they did all the rest for me. Set up appts with psych, nutritionist, etc

Edited February 11, 201412 yr by superfatty

Like Mac, my pc advised me to see a bariatric surgeon about lap band...so whenever I called for an appt., they told me about vsg, I asked what was that, she briefly explained and then I researched researcher researched N then researched the internet, youtube and that's when I found the vertical sleeve forum which is now bariatric pal, and the rest is history in the making...I went to first appt and everything was explained in more detail there. My suggestions to u, yes research, then write down questions u have and take it from there. God bless your decision. I was sleeved 12:30:13.

I think the first step is to get educated about bariatric surgery - really understand the different types of surgeries and the long term expectations with each type of surgery. Next I would have a real "heart to heart" with yourself. Can you be successful losing weight through diet and exercise? Bariatric surgery should be your "last resort" after you have tried and failed at every other type of weight loss. Have you given previous diet and exercise attempts 100% or did you just pay lip service to your weight loss attempt? I know these are hard questions, but having surgery is not the "easy path". There are a lot of risks and complications, and things you will change about your body FOREVER. Are you ready to make the diet changes necessary with this surgery? If you use food to cope with emotions, that only intensifies the issue after surgery.

That being said, I am down almost 100 pounds and this was the right solution for me. It isn't the right one for everyone, hence the suggestion to do some soul searching and determine what is the best option for you.

Good luck on your journey. This is a great place to get all your questions answered, just walk into the process educated and with your eyes wide open!

I too called my insurance company to see if it was covered (it was, obviously). It's been about a 4-5 month process from first consultation to surgery on Feb 25th. It really helped to speak to someone who has had the procedure, you will find all sorts of opinions from people.

I think it's like anything, the more effort you put into the results the more you'll get out.

ditto for the above! ... my doctor gave me the info on a Bariatric Center of Excellence nearby (hard to believe that we now have that as a specialist now)... I attended a seminar where they spoke about the different procedures...after that, I was pretty much sold on the sleeve. They took my information there and contacted the insurance company and told me what I needed to do... 3 months later, I was being sleeved. I did a lot of research on it as well, and knew two people that were recently sleeved, much less my sister that had RnY about 10 years ago...

The Bariatric Center had me attend several seminars, testings, etc...and now, after the fact, I still attend monthly meetings and that helps keep me on track...

I went to the free introductory seminar at the hospital followed up with a one-on-one with the bariatric doctor.

I found several Bariatric Centers in my area and looked for one that was labeled a Center of Excellence. The website for all of them will give you the opportunity to attend a seminar. The seminars will give you valuable information on what the surgery is, what is expected of you and the risks involved. I signed up for three different seminars. Although they gave the same information, I got to see how organized they were in presenting the information, how nice and in some cases not nice the support staff was and if I liked that DR giving the presentation. It is funny how much you can tell about a place if you sit back and watch how they interact with people in a group setting. I finally picked the bariatric center/DR I liked based on her surgical skills and how nice her staff was to people. The office did the rest ... scheduling appointments, putting paperwork through to insurance, etc. I woke up the other day and realized that I could feel every rib bone and they actually stick our now when I am laying down....I also can run, lift weights, bike, do squats and a multitude of other things I haven't been able to do in years. I love my post sleeve life and am so happy with my decison !!! I have lost 93lbs now and couldn't be happier with myself...and that is saying a mouthful "happy with myself". I wish you much success in your research, decision and journey.

ditto for the above! ... my doctor gave me the info on a Bariatric Center of Excellence nearby (hard to believe that we now have that as a specialist now)... I attended a seminar where they spoke about the different procedures...after that, I was pretty much sold on the sleeve. They took my information there and contacted the insurance company and told me what I needed to do... 3 months later, I was being sleeved. I did a lot of research on it as well, and knew two people that were recently sleeved, much less my sister that had RnY about 10 years ago...

The Bariatric Center had me attend several seminars, testings, etc...and now, after the fact, I still attend monthly meetings and that helps keep me on track...

Was all your testing done through your bariatric doctors? Or did you have to collect data from your primary care doctors?

Also what was the next step after your seminar :-)

^{Both for me... I had to go see a psychiatrist, a nutritionist, and my surgeon twice. Then I had to see my primary twice, did blood work 3 times and even had to go see a cardiologist!}

All appointments were scheduled through my weightloss clinic. All I had to do was show up.

Thanks every one for the informative info :-) I need all the advice & support I can get

Was all your testing done through your bariatric doctors? Or did you have to collect data from your primary care doctors?

Also what was the next step after your seminar :-)

After they verified that my insurance would cover the surgery, the Bariatric Drs office worked with me to set up appts, and gave me the numbers to call the therapist and set up for my nutrition class, etc. ... my primary didn't have much, if anything, to do with it at that point... the Bariatric Office may have contacted them for data, but I didn't have to ... it seemed to flow pretty well, there was some lab work, pyloric (sp?) test, etc.

Good luck! Hopefully you can find a Bariatric Place of Excellence, they are so helpful...at least they were/are for me!

Agree with other posters. The first step is to check with your insurance company. Ask for the bariatric specialist and speak with that person. They will know all the requirements and can provide you a list of approved surgeons.

Then go to at least one seminar to learn more about your options. I was firmly in the lap band path until I went to a seminar and then spoke with my pc. I switched to the sleeve and am 100% glad I chose that option.

Make sure you follow all the requirements laid out by your insurance company. You can also rely on your surgeon's insurance coordinator for guidance. The surgeon may also have requirements that they will want you to meet in order to have the procedure.

No matter what option you select, go for it and never look back!