Hey all, thought I'd introduce myself. I'm at the very beginning of the process because I haven't even met with my regular doc yet I have an appointment in 2 weeks. After reading about all the hurdles some have gone through, I called my insurance and she said there aren't any...I wanted to get a jump on any appts I needed besides my doc and surgeons so I hope she's correct...I guess I'll find out in 2 weeks

Haley

nice to meet you, haley!! and lucky you - no hurdles in your insurance!!!! there are things your docs will need to know - so you're right - there will be appointments and such. but it sounds like you're ready for the challenge!

glad you found us!

Thank you Yup I'm ready for the challenge. It's just like college (which Im currently a senior) takes a lot of work but the end result is totally worth it.) My doc has about 15 years of weight records for me so she knows my history.

See if you can find the provider manual for your insurance online. When I called mine, they didn't tell me any of the things I would need (6 months of diet history, 2 years of weight records showing obesity, psych eval, etc.) - I ended up finding all of that out on my own. I also had some appointments that were required by my surgeon's office but NOT by insurance (consult with dietician, pre-op ECG and blood work, etc.).

Hopefully, it WILL be an easy process for you, but whether it is required or not, I do highly recommend the psych eval or some general pre-op counseling

Do you know which procedure you want to persue? I HIGHLY recommend doing research on the different procedures BEFORE seeking recommendations from a doctor or surgeon because most docs/surgeons don't know or offer ALL the different procedures, and you want to make sure you are aware of all your options and choose what is the best fit for YOU

Thanks Jill I'll try to get to the bottom of the surgeons requirements. I'm interested in the lap band. I know a few people that know people that have it and speak very highly of it.

Haley

and good luck with everything.

Leenie

Thank you Leenie!

Hi! I'm new to the process too! I originally started researching WLS 5 years ago, and could now kick myself in the behind for not doing it then! At this point, I'm leaning towards RNY. I have a physical with my main Dr. this week, and can hopefully have him issue orders for the bloodwork to be done this week. I prescheduled a mammo appt for the following day, have my 1st appt. with my hope-to-be WLSurgeon Friday, and the Nutrionist just called me back to squeeze me in Thursday (since it's a 3.5 hour drive, each way, to Surgeon's office...they are in same practice...)!
I'm pretty sure I meet all of the insurance criteria also. So, I'm guessing that our WLS timelines are going to be similar! Please keep posting here...I love reading everyone's stories!

Hi disneyfan!
I have my appt withn my main Dr. next week. I have to mentally prepare myself for defending my choice but she knows I've struggled over half my life so I'm hoping I'm worried for nothing. I am concerned she'll think that I think this is an easy out, which I know it's not. I am going to keep a food journal and stick with my Body Combat and CX30 classes at my gym. The people in my family with health issues all started in their 40's. I'm going to be 30 in March so I don't want the disease fairy to give me an early visit when I'm 35 because no one else in my family is obese.

I'm almost finished the 3 day food log required for the surgeon then I can mail that out. I have to call Planned Parenthood and have them send over my pap results. Meet with my Doc next week and then....wait for someone to contact me I guess. There's quite a few steps the surgeon will make me do but I'm hoping the appts can be scheduled relatively quickly... I've been trying to find someone with similar time lines. Seems like most people I see on message boards already have their surgery date etc...

I dread talking to my main Dr. about it, because I have in the past & he didn't seem to like the idea then. People just can't understand unless they've been in your shoes & I'm so afraid I'm not going to be able to communicate my "whys" to him well! I see him today, so wish me luck!

My dh called me yesterday & a coworker of his had the surgery elsewhere & is highly recommending them. So, now I'm really torn regarding which practice/Surgeon I should use! Most people are going to swear by their surgeons, and I understand that. I had chosen to go to Dr. Roc Bauman in Concord, NC based off of online reviews (from now AND 5 yrs ago!). I haven't heard any personal recommendations re: him, but he seems to have a ton of experience & great online reviews. However, the coworker's surgeon Dr. Fernandez in Winston Salem, NC (Wake Forest Baptist), doesn't have as much experience, but has great online reviews too. It would be "easier" for me to use the Surgeon in WS, as it saves me 45 minutes drive (3 hrs vs. 3.45 for Concord...) each way. And we travel there frequently, so we know the area well. And, Dr. Fernandez doesn't require a week stay after the surgery. However, it's most important for me to find an experienced surgeon. Ugh...what to do??!! So torn! How did you decide on your surgeon/practice?

I think it's great you are trying to take control before you waste most of your life! (not to say that in a bad way! ) I am in my 40's & am seriously ticked that I didn't follow through with this 5 years ago when I was researching it then!

So glad to have found a "buddy"!

a couple of suggestions: make sure you're going to a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE - not that it's a guarantee of outcomes, but rather that they've done a certain number of surgeries and are have appropriate equipment and supporting folks like counseling and dieticians.

the most important thing is that you can talk with your doc, and that he's available to you! keep us posted - sounds like you're all going to be having a great adventure!

Disneyfan,

Good luck with your Doc!! I agree about not understanding. My doc is very slim and doesn't seem to have a whole lot of experience dealing with this issue. That stinks that you're unsure of which surgeon to choose. Personally I'd probably go with the one that was recommended by someone I know. Only because how do we know who is really writing those reviews. This way you know for sure that he does good work because you know one of his patients. How about meeting with both of them and seeing who you feel more comfortable with? My choice was easy because there seems to be only 1 in Vermont. On another form every person from Vermont had this surgeon. They all seem to like him too, thankfully! Hope today works out for you!

jiffypop- thanks for the suggestions and support

I'd second Jilly's suggestion about the Center of Excellence. I felt more comfortable going to a practice that had met a certain standard of care. I'd also select a surgeon with the most experience in the procedure you are considering. A lot of people recommend doctors/surgeons based on their bedside manner, and while that is important, I'd rather have a surgeon who knew what they were doing/with lots of experience over the "nice, friendly guy."

A note on COEs - lots of facilities qualify to be COEs, but it is a costly and lengthy process to get that official certification; it's lots of administrative red tape, not just "hey, you meet these standards, so now you're deemed a COE."

Whether or not my selected facility was a COE was not a factor at all in my decision. I chose my surgeon based on his personal statistics and successes with the procedure I wanted, and I would have independently researched the hospital out of which he operated if need be (though mine ended up being a very big name hospital, so I didn't have to dig much).

My insurance wouldn't pay unless it was at a "Center of Excellence"