Okay...here's what I've done so far. I went to my family doctor. He said I was a great candidate and suggested surgeons. He also said I would need some labs done before I met with the surgeon. I got my labs done, and my thyroid was out of whack. I've been on meds, and now my thyroid is under control (with medicine). I just got those results back today. I only talked to the nurse, and she sounded a little confused, but I reminded her of what he said. My questions are these: Are there any other tests that I should have done BEFORE meeting with the surgeon? Who schedules the appointment with the surgeon, me or my family doctor? I know a lot of this depends on insurance. I have Heritage Select with United Healthcare. If anyone has any ideas, please post.

Thanks!

I'm not sure how the insurance thing works. I was self pay. But I found my own surgeon and made an appointment with him. Then after my first consulation, the nurse set up my tests. Which included blood work, EKG, and chest xray. I haven't heard of doing any testing before meeting with the surgeon, but for insurance companies it could be different. And every doctor has different requirements.

My Internist recommended a surgical group that did NOT take my insurance. So I called around and found a group that did. From there I fulfilled what my surgeon needed. His office scheduled my preop tests etc. So you need to find a surgeon (or surgeons if you want to pick from a group) who accept your insurance and proceed from there.

I have BC/BS HMO and I have been meeting all their requirements just so I can have the opportunity to meet with a surgeon that the insurance company selects for me.

I had to complete 6-months documented doctor supervised weight loss plus complete and pass a psych eval. After that, the insurance company apporved me to go to the Alta Bates weight loss clinic, which is 85 miles away from my home.

From there, Alta Bates has the following requirements, two seperate orientation classes, one pre-op orientation class, a history form, and a meeting with the surgeon.

The surgeon will decide what tests, I need next and will determine in consult with me, if I am a good candidate for surgery. Thus, far, I have not had any tests yet, because I don't meet the surgeon until 10/08/08.

let me tell you if i would have known, i could have had my psych done earlier i would have. my pcp recomended a doctor she fax all my records over. then the office sent me a packet firms i had to fill out.i did 6 months dietian classes, sept3rd was my last class. so the dietian fax my papers over to the doctors office. i,m sitting waiting for them to call, wrong so i gave them a week an decided to call she said she had everything except my psych papers. if i had only known to do it a head of time.but it,s next week so is my stress test my pcp are giving those to me friday morning. so call the office an ask what pre-op tests they require.good luck sorry for the long post.