Hello!

My consultation went well, the doctor drew me a picture of my stomach and showed me how much he would cut off, he said right now my stomach can hold two plates of Thanksgiving dinner and after the surgery it will be the size of a large banana. Yikes! Lol. It went a little quick I thought, I didn't have a chance to ask any questions, he basically covered everything and then he escorted me to the insurance woman's office.

With my insurance, Aetna, I have to do 3 months of nutrition appointments. I wasn't told what all that would entail, the woman just made me 3 appts and I was on my way. I called back a couple of weeks later and the woman at the front desk told me I didn't even have to come in for the appts, that I could just call in and talk to her on the phone. Is this normal? I thought they would have to weigh me, etc. She said "Just don't gain weight". Hmm. I'm wondering if you all had a similar situation with your doctors office?

aetna's requirement is no net gain during the three month period. my office made me come in and get weighed monthly plus talk to the whole team each visit: nurse, psychologist, nutritionist and exercise physiologist. but that was their requirement, not aetna's.

I have aetna and I'm required to weigh monthly as well. I have been told that I cannot gain from start to finish, and that even a gain from weigh in to weigh in (but still ending lower) could jeopardize my approval. My aetna plan also required a 2 year weight history, and letter of recommendation from my PCP. If there is a surgical coordinator where you go, I'm sure she/he could write down everything you'll need so you have time to get it all together!

I wouldn't call that "normal" but it sounds pretty easy. It sounds like they need to slow down and clue you in a little better with the details! Sometimes you have to make them. I know I wrote down on a piece of paper all my questions and took them in with me so when I talked with my DR I literally had a pen and checked each question off. So in a way I made him slow down to get all my answers....it's kinda their job!

I have Aetna, and these (all mentioned in the answers above) are all the technical requirements for Aetna to approve the surgery. However as far as calling in for appointments and not having questions answered...not good!! It would certainly be in your best interest to get all the information you can, get every question and concern answered, and take full advantage of all the requirements and appointments. In my case, the nutritionist, the surgeon, my PCP...I went to each one of them with my written list of questions and concerns, and they all were very cooperative in answering everything for me. To this day when I go for my follow-up visits, I still go with my question list, to the point where I'm now known for being the one with all the questions! They seem to like this, since it's shows that I'm fully engaged and invested in the whole idea of weight loss and better health.

I wish you the very best, and much success in your journey!!