-clueless

[garciagiss 23]

I started thinking about Surgery in November but was turned down with my insurance ... I was able to get financing and I now have the money to self pay.. What is the next step? What is the process for the surgery? Do I have to wait 3 months? How is is scheduled? I don't want to sound dumb when I call the office but I am a little lost on where to begin...

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[Montana Gal 448]

Welcome Garciagiss! I can only speak from my experience. I contacted the Bariatric Clinic I chose and asked them what was required of me to get an appointment. First was a letter of referral from my PCP, second they wanted medical records from the past 3 years. I was then scheduled to attend an educational seminar and a visit with the nutritionist. After I completed all of those steps I was given an appointment with the surgeon for consultation. The last appointment before my surgery was a class given by the bariatric nurse. The whole process took about 6 months after making first contact with the clinic. This will vary greatly between the different bariatric groups, insurance requirements and hospitals. I wish you well on your journey, it's well worth all of the effort!

[OKCPirate 5,323]

Congrats, that is quite the accomplishment in itself. You now have options. I would pick based on the pre and post opp support that works for you. I felt I could do my own research, preferred to work with my own nutritionists and counselor, so I had mine done in Mexico by a great surgeon. I don't know what your support team looks like, but I liken it to purchasing a car:

• Only buy new if you don't have a good mechanic
• If you have to buy new, purchase at the dealership with the best service department

You could be done in two weeks (standard pre-opp diet to shrink the liver to make the surgery easier/safer takes two weeks). But other than that, if you have everything else in place, there isn't any reason for delay. If a provider puts you through the "normal" process (which appears to have been set up by insurance companies to get people to drop out) then go to another. You are self pay and don't deserve all that crud.

Some things to consider:

• Emotional: I recommend working through: http://goo.gl/wd1ECr and see a counselor before the hormone dump that seems to accompany rapid weight loss starts.
• Nutritional: Do you have solid nutritional support from someone who does WLS patients?
• Legal/Estate planning?: I'm a single dad, and while this surgery is safer than many procedures, it's still surgery.
• Follow up blood work, complication medical support?
• Exercise? I'm a big believer in getting into the best shape you can going in and using this to spring board into the next phase one month following surgery.
• Family support? The food in the house will have to change. I gave my kids their own pantry for things I no longer want to have in my body. It's 20 feet away from mine. This should be discussed in advance IMHO.
• Get a vision: Read http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/195065-you-know-you-lost-weight-when/ so you can remember why you want this

And then go for it and enjoy the ride. This is the single best investment I have ever made in myself.

[garciagiss 23]

Wow thank you so much for taking your time to give feedback. I really appreciate it !!!

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[Montana Gal 448]

@@garciagiss I forgot to add the psch evaluation in the steps I had to take. All of the steps mentioned were required by the bariatric clinic and not the insurance. Great response OKCPirate, wonderful information!

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

@@garciagiss, much of what you'll read about psych evals and three- or six-month supervised diets prior to being approved is the rigmarole of the medical plans. I've gleaned from only a few posts in BP that an odd surgeon here and there wants a psych eval for self-pay patients, probably to cover his/her tush. Surgeons generally want a patient to lose some weight prior to surgery because it make the procedure easier (reducing fat on the liver makes the organ more flexible for maneuvering around while mucking about your insides). Don't be timid about asking questions of surgeons you consult. It's your body, your health and your cash. You're the employer.

@@OKCPirate, you've written up a brilliant approach and list of important things to consider. I hope you'll copy your message into a Word document so that it lives forever within reach.