I had my surgeon consult two weeks ago. I assumed after that appointment, the coordinator would speak to me regarding the appointment requirements I needed. That didn't happen. I did all of my lab work this past friday (had to wait two weeks to get the heart burn meds out of my system) and have a psych consult scheduled for tomorrow.

Shouldn't I have a nutritionist appointment lined up?

I'm so confused by the requirements and the timeline. I spoke with my insurance regarding the 6 month physician supervised diet (Anthem BCBS) and asked if my OB prescribing my Phentermine in December counted towards that. She said yes. But where do I go with that information? Does my OB need to call my insurance? This is so confusing.

Did you all have a coordinator helping you with this stuff?

I had my surgeon consult two weeks ago. I assumed after that appointment, the coordinator would speak to me regarding the appointment requirements I needed. That didn't happen. I did all of my lab work this past friday (had to wait two weeks to get the heart burn meds out of my system) and have a psych consult scheduled for tomorrow.
Shouldn't I have a nutritionist appointment lined up?
I'm so confused by the requirements and the timeline. I spoke with my insurance regarding the 6 month physician supervised diet (Anthem BCBS) and asked if my OB prescribing my Phentermine in December counted towards that. She said yes. But where do I go with that information? Does my OB need to call my insurance? This is so confusing.

Did you all have a coordinator helping you with this stuff?

Does your surgeon's office not have a coordinator?


H 5'6" HW 253, CW 245, TBS 9/19

They do- but I can't seem to get a hold of her. She never returns my calls or emails.

I have a patient coordinator at my surgeon' office. At my first appointment she laid out all of my requirements (I have Anthem as well). It was up to me to make all of my appointments. If I had additional info (similar to your December doctor's visit) I send it straight to my coordinator. Your OB can also put that info in your PCP letter that's anthem requires.

1 minute ago, soreadyforachange said:

They do- but I can't seem to get a hold of her. She never returns my calls or emails.

That's not good. My coordinator always picks up or returns my calls pretty quick. It is their job to keep everything together for you.

They do- but I can't seem to get a hold of her. She never returns my calls or emails.

That's not right. Speak up... make your concern heard. My insurance has a coordinator on their end, not like the one in the surgeon's office but more of a pre-op bariatric side program, a nurse coordinator if you will. Have you checked with your insurance company to see of they have something like that?


H 5'6" HW 253, CW 245, TBS 9/19

Find a new surgeon. They are charging enough. My coordinator returned calls in a few hours, or at least next business day and they are very busy. This is business not charity. Make them treat you like a customer. Where I live there is no shortage of bariatric Drs, they have to compete for customers, so they treat people better.

I had a coordinator that helped. Every month that you have an appt make sure you get a document saying your weight and that they were monitoring your exercise and discussed something diet wise. So like Jan 5th appoint with your doctor should get an appt summary that adores your current weight at that appointment and say something about how you are currently walking 1 mile a day, three days a week and your goal for next mos is to increase how many days a week you are walking. Patients food diary reviewed and we discussed carbohydrates and limiting simple carbs. This should cover all of your required criteria. But then make copies of these from each month so when the office submits your surgery request to three insurance company they can see that you saw someone every month discussed healthy eating, you were exercising, and your weight did go down throughout these appointments. Also one of the first things they had me do wad to get a sleep study unless you already have sleep apnea and currently use CPAP or BIPAP. this can take some time and you need to use your machine after surgery of you do have sleep apnea. Hope that helps.

Sent from my SM-N920T using BariatricPal mobile app

I started this process in January and now have surgery scheduled next week. I have had an appointment each month with my surgeon and the dietician. I know that I would not be ready for this without the help of my surgeon and the dietician. They have spent a lot of time preparing me for what I need to change in my life in order to be successful following this surgery. Good luck!

I had a coordinator who was on top of everything. She would call or email promptly and her nurse was amazing as well. They would try and squeeze all my appointments into one day because I live far away. I'm sorry you feel like this. They have left you hanging and that's the last thing you need going into such a big change. Demand better.

The coordinator finally just called me back. I told her that I haven't yet received an appointment for the nutritionist and she was like Oh! Let me refax the orders! Like, no big deal, that she wasted almost a month of my time that could have been documented.

Very frustrating. It feels like it'll be forever before we get this show on the road.

Thanks for all your insight!

The coordinator finally just called me back. I told her that I haven't yet received an appointment for the nutritionist and she was like Oh! Let me refax the orders! Like, no big deal, that she wasted almost a month of my time that could have been documented.
Very frustrating. It feels like it'll be forever before we get this show on the road.

Thanks for all your insight!

Now you know what you're dealing with. So you'll have to ride her ass to get things done in a timely fashion. Stay on top of it. They're supposed to guide you and work for you. I truly hate incompetence.

7 hours ago, soreadyforachange said:

They do- but I can't seem to get a hold of her. She never returns my calls or emails.

Yeah, that's not good. IfyouI can't get a hold of someone before surgery think about after if you have issues.

I had my surgeon consult two weeks ago. I assumed after that appointment, the coordinator would speak to me regarding the appointment requirements I needed. That didn't happen. I did all of my lab work this past friday (had to wait two weeks to get the heart burn meds out of my system) and have a psych consult scheduled for tomorrow.
Shouldn't I have a nutritionist appointment lined up?
I'm so confused by the requirements and the timeline. I spoke with my insurance regarding the 6 month physician supervised diet (Anthem BCBS) and asked if my OB prescribing my Phentermine in December counted towards that. She said yes. But where do I go with that information? Does my OB need to call my insurance? This is so confusing.

Did you all have a coordinator helping you with this stuff?

I have that insurance as well. The dr supervised diet is with a NUT once a month for 6 months. Do not gain any weight or they will make you do another month. I gained 3 pounds and did 7 months. They are strict on that.

I had my surgeon consult two weeks ago. I assumed after that appointment, the coordinator would speak to me regarding the appointment requirements I needed. That didn't happen. I did all of my lab work this past friday (had to wait two weeks to get the heart burn meds out of my system) and have a psych consult scheduled for tomorrow.
Shouldn't I have a nutritionist appointment lined up?
I'm so confused by the requirements and the timeline. I spoke with my insurance regarding the 6 month physician supervised diet (Anthem BCBS) and asked if my OB prescribing my Phentermine in December counted towards that. She said yes. But where do I go with that information? Does my OB need to call my insurance? This is so confusing.

Did you all have a coordinator helping you with this stuff?

I had to set up all of my appointments by myself. The coordinator only set up my surgery date and the day before the hospital called with my time. They should have given you a list of the clearances you needed and then it was up to you to get the appointments and make sure you go to them.

21 hours ago, pattycaketoo said:

I have that insurance as well. The dr supervised diet is with a NUT once a month for 6 months. Do not gain any weight or they will make you do another month. I gained 3 pounds and did 7 months. They are strict on that.

So, is it mandatory that it's with a NUT? My OB said he would vouch for me.