Where do I start? So many questions!!

Hi,  I am new here. I am considering having Gastric Bypass surgery, but don't really know where to start.  I am really happy I found this website.  It has already answered so many questions.  I have been reading some of your posts and you all sound so helpful and supportive.   Here is some information about me.  I live in St. Charles, MO.  I am 38, been married for 17 years and have one 7 yr. old son.  I am currently about 275 lbs and have a BMI of 44.4.   I have not spoken with a surgeon yet, but did call Dr. Chris Eagon's office and they are sending me a packet of information.  My insurance is United Healthcare Options PPO.  Have any of you had any experience with Dr. Eagon or my insurance company?  When I was requesting the information, they did ask me some questions and one of them was if I had been in any diet programs like Weigh****chers, Jenny Craig, etc. anytime for 90 days or more.  Is this a normal requirement of insurance or something? Like I said, I am just starting this journey and don't really know where to start or what to do to get the process started.  How long does it normally take to get seen by a doctor, get approved by insurance and get scheduled for surgery?  Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!! Melissa

Hey Melissa, Welcome to the Missouri OH board.  We are so glad you stopped by.  We love newbies.  Please feel free to ask anything you want to know.  We have folks in all stages of WLS, pre-op, post-op, just thinking, dieting before surgery, etc.   Regarding your questions, my advice is to contact your insurance company and ask them what they require you to do to be approved for surgery.  I worked closely with my carrier and made sure i was following their requirements 100%.  They needed a six month physician supervised diet/exercise program and even told me where I had to go to do the nutritional, psychological and exercise part of it.  But, after six months of total compliance I was approved and had my surgery.  So, I think starting there was crucial for me.  And, documentation of every step of the way made me feel better about being in control of my compliance.  They didn't require my logs and records but I had them if they had been needed.  A PCP who supports you is really important.  My PCP asked for approval for my surgery six months before it happened. If I can help you in any way, drop me a note. Good luck on your journey.  It is soooooo worth the trouble and time. Hugs, Lana

Melissa so glad to meet you on the Missouri board. I hope you feel at home here and will post more and let us get to know you well.  Feel free to post anytime anywhere on anyones thread.  We love newcomers.  I would agree with Lana about starting with your insurance company , first that is the best place to start they not only tell you what they require but also what surgeons are in their network.  Come back often. Jan

Welcome to the board Melissa! I have my Preop class next Friday and I will get my surgery date then. I am going with Dr De la Tori at Depaul Hospital. My insurance is through My husband's job ans he has UnitedHealthcare as well. The only thing I needed was documentation of obesity for 5 years.  They don't even have to be consecutive. I also sent letters from my Dr and Chiropractor stating the need. It wasn't required but i thought anything that would convince them I needed this surgery couldn't hurt.  I live in Florissant and am fairly new to Missouri. Feel free to email me if you need anything. This site is amazing for info and everyone here is so helpful.

See ya around!! Rebecca M

Hello Melissa, I have Medicare so my experience will be slightly different from yours.
May 1 2007: Attended mandatory seminar
May 3 2007: Completed medical history online and faxed insurance cards to surgeons office
May 4 2007: Obtained letter of medical clearance for surgery from my PCP
May 18 2007: Physiological testing
June 26 2007: Physiological clearance report finished & faxed to surgeons office
June 27 2007: Consultation appointment with surgeon set for 10/24
June 28 2007: Start of six month physician supervised diet Realistically I probably wont have surgery till December or later. But I had been already told at the seminar back in May that it usually takes 6-9 months to have surgery. Getting pre approval from your insurance company is your first hurdle. I seen people on the forums get approved by their insurance companies lightening fast, some get denied and they have to appeal taking months and others have to do a 6 month diet before surgery. And if your surgeons is as busy as Dr. Hornbostel you may have to wait a few weeks to months for surgery.
"I had been in any diet programs like Weigh****chers, Jenny Craig, etc. anytime for 90 days or more.  Is this a normal requirement of insurance or something?" Prior attempts at weight loss is a requirement for surgery period. Your surgeons office and your insurance company will both require it. It applies to everyone wanting surgery, along with a high BMI and comorbidities. My last diet was South Beach last year but it wasnt physician supervised or documented so I had to start one (low calorie, low fat). Best of luck to you. Keep us updated on your progress!

Hi Melissa, Welcome to the board! I had surgery in June, though my start date was on Feb. 10th. I have Medicaid so my trip would be different than yours, also. I would suggest though, that through out your travel through weight loss surgery, to keep copies of all labs, x-rays, notes, ect. Also, if possible, hand deliver everything, jot down the date, time, and person you spoke with or *****cieved your paperwork. sometimes paperwork gets lost, (I had to submit my original packet 3 times, to find out that it was already in the chart), this way you always have it on hand and with you so you can give them another copy if they say they did not recieve it. At the begining of my trip I did not do this. I quickly found out that I better hold on to my paperwork. Also, call and bug the snot out of them! Like a little kid, "Are we there yet?" You can bug them, "Is it there yet?" Sometimes they might contact people on a certain day of the week, which keeps you waiting a little longer. I had surgery in Columbia and the office staff answered my questions everytime I called. I made sure I called once a week. Also, if you are sure you deffinately want the surgery,when you get the ball rolling, ask the office that you use what tests or exams you have to have before insurance submittal can be done. This way you can get some of the tests out of the way through your own family physician while you wait. This helps speed up the process. You can even get your psych eval. done before your first office visit. Anyway, i wish you the best of luck and hope to hear from you on your progress. Elisa