Newbie - I'm lost - Help

Hello All, I am very new to all of this, and am completely lost as to where to start. Long story short surgery was mentioned about a year or so ago, but I only now worked up the courage to look into it. And now that I'm looking into it I'm not sure what order anything should be done in?? Should I contact my insurance company about coverage or find a surgeon first? I'm leaning toward the Lap Band Surgery - Has anyone had that and has it been successful for weight loss of 75 to 100lbs? If there is any advice or information you could pass my way - I would forever be indebted.

Hi I would call the insurance company first and see if they cover the procedure. Then find a surgeon,...In your area do you have a local hospital that offers WLS program? Becuase they usually have a free information semirair about WLS. Email me if you have any questions. Priscilla 8/15/05 -120

My profile will help barbara. I've lost 96 lbs with gastric bypass, kept it off for 5 months now. 1 yr anniversary coming up in may. You need to go to an informational session with the doc you will be using. He should have a packet of information for you to start filling out, including a letter of medical necessity that will have to come from your primary doctor. ( my doc for surgery was Dr Kim at celebration hospital). Then you have to have a psych eval, and then they submit to insurance for approval. In my case the psych eval cost $400. I chose gastric over lap band because it forced me to eat differently, no sugar, etc. Ask away, we are all here to support you! Blessings, Tami

I researched here and found the names of the doctors near me that did the surgery. I called my insurance company to find out if they covered the surgery and what requirements I had to do. Then I asked if the doctors I had listed were in network. I read up more on the doctors, looked at patient comments and checked with the state website. I picked the doctor, met with him, jumped thru the hoops, got my ducks in a row and before I knew it I was on the losing side. I was leaning towards Lap band myself, but then decided on RNY. There are a few Lap Band post-ops on the Florida boards, but I would really go check out the Lap Band forum. Tracey

HI Newbie- You are off to a great start by asking questions. There are plenty of experienced people here that are more than happy to give you the benefit of their experience. One of the first things I did was to start researching the different weight loss surgical procedures. There are three or four that are mainly being done these days, gastric bypass, lap band and the duodenal switch. I believe you will also find in a few cases there are some other procedures out there but these are the main ones. Learn all that you can about all three procedures so that you have a good frame of reference to discuss the procedures with your surgeon and insurance company. Each of the procedures requires different lifestyle changes and only you know what kind of changes you are willing or able to make to your eating habits and your lifestyle. Then once you have a good idea about the procedures I would then find out about insurance coverage. If your insurance does provide coverage -- what procedure do they cover -- is it the procedure that you want? If it is do they require that you go to a particular surgeon? Generally all of the surgeons offer what they refer to as informational seminars. This is where they discuss the surgeries that they perform. I think it is a good idea to go to as many of these as you can even if you know you are going to a particular surgeon. I just think it makes good sense to get another perspective on the subject. Now back to insurance. If your insurance does not cover the surgery at all or they do not cover the procedure you want you may have to self-pay. Many people end up doing this. Some travel out of the country because it is so much less expensive. There some excellent US board certified surgeons practicing in Brazil for example (and in other countries I am sure) in hospitals on a par with the finest hospitals in this country for probably a third or even half the cost of self-pay in this country. Once you have decided on your procedure and your surgeon and you know whether or not you have insurance coverage, then your surgeon's office will guide you through the rest of the process. For some insurance approval is a breeze. For others their insurance requires supervised diets (anywhere from 6 months to a year long) it all depends on your insurance company. The surgeon's office will advice you on getting the pre-op testing done. Things like the psych eval, seeing a nutritionist and blood work and things like that. Well, have I totally confused you? I certainly hope not. It really isn't all that difficult. In a nutshell; learn about the procedures, find out about your insurance coverage, and then pick a surgeon and the surgeon's office will guide you through the rest. Red

What Major city are you close to. THere are several oppertunitys to meet ppl threw support groups and stuff. I susgest that you meet up with a few people and talk fact to face and listen to there experience. That will help you alot. best wishes, heather

The first step is deciding that you want to change your life and that you've tried to lose the weight through traditional methods. Then check with the insurance for coverage, then choose a doctor close to you..their office should give you the guidance and knowledge as to what procedure is best for you or what the doctor is good at doing meaning my doc for example does lapband and open & lap rny however he prefers open rny to lap since it's less time under anesthesia etc. If you're prone to being an emotional compulsive overeater - the LapBand MIGHT not be good for you as you will have gone through all that and have trouble sticking to the Plan. One of things to work is the mindset. We can have whatever surgery we want and will lose up to a certain degree but then at some point in the process we have to kick butt and apply ourselves by eating right and exercise (which is the true key element in losing weight), because we can eat around any surgery. Wish you good luck in your journey, keep us posted and ask any questions that you need to be informed! In fact if you're close to Orlando and would like to come to our meeting Saturday 4/8 at the Main Library Downtown Orlando we will having our doc do a phone conference and that would be a good time to ask questions! Give me a holler if I can be of any further help!

You all are a god send! I can't thank you enough! I knew I had to do something, but I wasn't sure where to start. In just three short days on this website along with your responses and emails, I am armed with information and facts. I can honestly say I can't recall the last time I felt so hopeful about anything. Now that I am armed with information I have made an appointment with my regular physician for Thursday to discuss it, along with an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Jawad Office in Ocala for April 21st. I couldn't have made this step without you all and this website. My sincerest gratitude - I will keep you all updated on my journey.

Barbie, you will love Dr. Jawad and his staff. I had RNY with him on Dec 7 and have lost 68 lbs. He only does laproscopic surgery unless there is some medical reason that he has to do open. I wish you the best of luck. Carol

Hi Barbie, I called my insurance company Tricare and thay told me i had to be 400 pounds or more to get approved for wls. I got a magazine from obesityhelp in the mail. I looked at it and then put it up and once in awhile i would look at it again just wishing i could get the surgery. About a year later i got on the site and got into the chat room and asked questions. About how over weight i needed to be and so forth. I was told to make a appointment with my pcp. I did that and he got a approval to see Dr. Nye. Doctor Nye told me what was needed to send to my insurance company. Then he told me what all i needed to do. I was aproved within 3 weeks. For me it was to go see my pcp first and then i went from there. Good luck, Deb