Great news! If you have Presbyterian Insurance and live close to the Albuquerque area, we no longer have to go to El Paso Texas for bariatric surgery. Presbyterian now has a brand new startup local Bariatric program affiliated with Presbyterian Rust Hospital in Rio Rancho. Del Sol is still contracted with Presbyterian insurance and you can still use their bariatric program there, but, if you live closer it may be worth looking into.

Dr. William Van Rice is the bariatric doctor for their program. I had lap band to sleeve revision surgery and can only give Dr. Van Rice the highest of recommendation. Jake

I have gastric bypass scheduled with him tomorrow!!!!

Good luck to you Albuquerquemom! Rust hospital is really nice hospital and very modern.

As you already know Dr. Rice is a good guy!

Keep us informed on how your are doing. A prayer going out your way. jake

I'm getting the sleeve wuth Dr Rice September 27th

Sent from my SM-J320P using the BariatricPal App

I have gastric bypass scheduled with him tomorrow!!!!

How are you doing post op?

Sent from my SM-J320P using the BariatricPal App

Any of you have press Centennial? If so what were ur qualifying requirements ? And how long did the process take

I have COA commercial Presbyterian. Qualifying requirement are probably the same. Mine was a little different because I was a lapband to sleeve revision patient and took me weeks to get approved due to complications. I do know several co-workers that are going through the process now and it's taking about 3 months. You must meet the BMI criteria and co-morbidity requirements that Pres. requires. It is also to your advantage to get your primary doctor on board with you. Your primary submits records and input and can make a difference on approval. Beware, because some doctors are anti weight loss surgery. After the seminar you set up your first appointment with Dr. Rice and he explains the different surgery options and recommendations. Following that, should you wish to continue, you are assigned a Presbyterian case worker and the case worker sets you up for several nutritional classes. The case worker determines if you need additional testing, examples: sleep study, cardiologist release, primary doc input, etc. You may be required to get a EGD test, which IMO is a pain. The last test before submitting to insurance for approval is a psychiatric evaluation. If all goes well and are approved, you are scheduled for surgery. It seems like a long time, but, it goes pretty fast. Let us know how it goes. jake