Shopping Around for WLS?

I would appreciate any info you have to share on this topic....
I went to Fairview Southdale for my first appointment today, and I wasn't that impressed.  I didn't love any of the individuals I saw.  I am also quite discouraged because I have heard from other people that your first appointment counts as your first month/visit towards the 6 month doctor supervised weight loss required by my insurance, BCBS.  I met with a nurse, PA and dietitian.  The people I met with today said this was an initial appt., and my first appt. will be next month.  I asked if I could come back in a week, they said only monthly.  I feel like they are adding months here!   Am I overreacting?  A month for this, a month for that, I'm hoping to get pregnant 18 months to 2 years out and each month is a big deal to me!  I am wondering if I should look at another hospital?  I believe that Abbott Northwestern is a Center of Excellence as well.  Did others "shop around"?  Does anyone have info to compare Fairview to other programs?  Thanks for your help!

Angela

I went to Fairview Southdale, I didn't have the structured weight loss as your insurance required. I know Fairview doesn't require you to do the liquid diet before surgery if that means anything in your decision. I would look into HCMC, I've heard good things about there. If you aren't comfortable totally shop around!!

Sarah

I went with the Minneapolis Bariatric - Through Abbott and I love my surgeon - Dr. Raymond Drew.  The intake person- that helps keep track of everything and get you through the insurance stuff was a sweetheart - Yeah Katy!   Their dietician is great too - she knows her stuff and is very nice. 

 

I had a friend go through that clinic a year before i did - so I knew where i was going - and didnt have to shop around.  

 

hope that helps. Linda 

I personally HIGHLY recommend going to all of the Centers of Excellence informational meetings because it will give you a very good perspective on the individual programs. You will definitely find one that feels right to you! Yes, shop around. Plus, they are great because you learn more & more every time you go.

As for the dietician appt., it should count. Call your insurance to double check, but BCBS's policy is 6 months consecutive for the dietician visits, so make sure you clarify that with BCBS for your specific benefits to know for sure.

I'd recommend going to:
Park Nicollet/Methodist Hospital
Unity Hospital
Abbott/Minneapolis Bariatrics group
U of M Physicians / University Fairview hospital
HCMC

Those are the main one's I can think of & personally went to. Again, yes, it's a committment to do this but it's worth it in my opinion.

Also, remember there are different surgery types as well. LapBand, RNY, VSG, & Duodenal Switch. Be versed on each so you can also make an informed decision on which procedure you want. In fact, I'd tell you to pick your surgery first, then a surgeon. Much easier as some of your choices are limited based on surgery type.

Good luck! Enjoy this part of the process - it's elemental to your journey!

I love, love, love Park Nicollet. Their nurses are knowledgable and experiences -- most have gone through the surgery themselves. They handle all your pre-op testing, info, papers, etc and work with you... you dont have to go to random clinics here and there to get stuff done -- it's all in one place basically.

And the support system is amazing...great support groups, surgeons, nurses, etc.

Anyway... I loved it... and I shopped around -- went to about 3 other places and saw their seminars.

This is the very unfortunate part of the surgery. Once you make the decision to have it after tons of research and stress, you want it NOW. It feels like forever and for some, it does take a long time. At a bare minimum it is 3-4 months for people who don't have the 6 month requirement, so prepare yourself for this part. You are doing the right thing however. Make sure you follow the requirements of insurance to the letter, and call back and check many times, because insurance if done incorrectly, is  probably the one thing that can hold you back the longest. Congratulations on the decision to start this rollercoaster of a ride. It is SO worth it.

I think that it's a great idea to "shop" the different programs.  I, like you, believed that I had to stick with the first one that I visited.  Although I'm very happy with the services that I received at HCMC, I'm not sure I would have chosen them if I had shopped around.  Park Nicollet really sounds like a fantastic program to me.

BCBS has a difficult structured weight loss program.  Most places will only give you one appointment per month (but will often schedule your first nutrition appointment close to the informational session).  Make sure that you don't need to reschedule because they often will not have appointments left that month and then you've lost the "consecutive" months that you need for insurance. 

I don't know your situation, so my advice here is just a personal thought - I'm currently 36 1/2 and want very much to get pregnant too - at over 400lbs I was not going to be able to do that without WLS so I will take my chances and hope that I can still conceive at 38.  However, if I were faced with a mandatory 6 month weight loss regimen (and now knowing how effective my liquid diet was) I may have considered going on an Optifast or Medifast plan for several months, gotten pregnant, and then considered WLS so that I didn't feel so pressured.  The different weight loss scenarios are things that you should be able to discuss with any clinic - they don't offer "just surgery".  I encourage you to talk with the staff about the plans that you have for your life and figure out what's going to fit your needs best.

Good luck on your journey and I can't wait to hear what you decide!

Number 1 - Definitely shop around.  At least attend the info meetings at several programs.  I was very happy with the Methodist/Park Nicollet program and staff.

Number 2 - Don't set those timelines for yourself.  If things go slower or don't happen right away, you will get EXTREMELY frustrated and set yourself up for failure and disappointment in both the weight and the baby departments.  Go easy on yourself.

I am full of opinions and advice today.  Yikes.

Take care.

J

I went to Fairview's info session and met with a surgeon but didn't feel quite comfortable, not sure why. My mom had her surgery there and she LOVES her surgeon.

So I went to the Park Nicollet info session and KNEW this was who I wanted doing my surgery. Shop around, you have the right!

Hi Angela,

I completely understand your longing to get pregnant and that you want the WLS asap so you can get moving toward your desire to become pregnant. See my profile for why I "get it." I am going to want to get pregnant after WLS too.

I'm going through Fairview and have BCBS and have to do the 6 month supervised WL attempt. I had my original meeting with nurse, PA, dietician and then my next dietician meeting was scheduled 1 month out. They seem very knoweldgable as to what is required by insurance as far as documentation during the 6 month period. Maybe it depends on your weight, but i'm required to lose 10lbs before surgery. So far I like everyone I've met, particularly the dietician Sally.

Definately check out different info sessions and programs. Part of the reason I chose FVSD is because my OB recommended Dr Pierce. Also, I've had two babies at Southdale and EVERY nurse I had was fantastic. I expect to receive really good care from the nursing staff during & after my surgery. Plus, being in the south burbs, Southdale is most convenient for me.

Each of the 6 months supervised is a full month, so if you go from today 1 month out would be your first visit and this next 30 days will be your month ONE of SIX. Sucks, I know.... I'm in month 4 now.