Question:
I was approved for WLS surgery but have to change surgeons.

The surgeon I was approved for has switched me to another surgeon because I want to have laprascopic WLS.(it's a long story)Does anyone know if this will be a problem with my insurance company?Has anybody switched after insurance approval?The new doc does accept my insurance.I only have to see the new surgeon one time and we will schedule on that day because I have already gone through the steps.    — natalie J. (posted on September 20, 2003)

September 20, 2003
If it's a surgeon within the same practice then I'm not sure anything has to be done. If it's a totally different surgeon then usually the new surgeon just has to send a letter informing insurance which procedure he is doing and that's it. The only issue might be that the original surgeon must have submitted for an open and the code for LAP is different so if for some odd reason your insurance won't cover LAP it will be a problem, but that is pretty rare. You should be fine. A simple call to insurance and ask what they need and get a fax number and name. Congrats on your upcoming surgery!
   — zoedogcbr

September 24, 2003
Don't have any answers for you, but I might be in the same boat. I have sent in for approval with a Dr that does open distal RNY w/staples, and feel that the open distal RNY w/transection is the better surgery. If this other surgeon (Dr Shina-Lou, Ky) does transection, I will be switching to him so I won't have to have revision later on due to (poss) SLD. I have put this question on the Ky msgboard and am hoping for answers soon. Good luck in you upcoming decision and surgery!! Becky M.
   — bufordslipstick