[Young Grasshopper]

Hi All!

So, I finally bite the bullet and called for a consultation with the surgeon. They told me that I have to go to an informational meeting prior to meeting with the doctor. No biggie.....until they said their next available opening wasn't until the end of Aug! Geez.

Guess I'll have time to research. I'm just wondering if there is anything I could do now that will help me after Aug.? Someone told me that surg. and insurance want you to exhaust all avenues prior to the WLS. Is this true? Thought about going to my reg. doc and seeing if he would prescribe meridia....not too jazzed at the thought. Heard that stuff was really expensive and wasn't too great.

As always, any advice would be great! I'm going to call every week to see if they have a cancellation.......Aug. is a long way off. Then again, my birthday is in Aug. Don't know about you, but birthdays and New Years are always my most motivated times.

Deb

[ageoldie]

What part of the country are you in? That was about the same wait period ole Alvin had for his.

[jiffypop]

yep!!! with the popularity of the surgery, waiting is the hardest part, and you're very right.. getting started with the insurance requirements is the thing to do right now. so call them up!!!! ask them what hoops they've set up. and go see your PCP. meridia is not essential... a long diet history - fully documented - is. exercise too.

and do your research. find out everything you can. and ask all the questions you can think of. when is the informational meeting? let us know...

[peach pit]

Hey Young GrassHopper!

That is about how long it took me to get my appointment too. I used that time to get my paperwork ready and to also go on Meridia. If your insurance company requires a 6 month doctor supervised diet use this time to do so.!!


keep us posted!

peach

[Young Grasshopper]

Okay, good thing I asked you guys that question. Will call the insurance company tomorrow. Not sure how I would document a diet and exercise history....****, if I could put together all my "starts" into one long diet I'd be thin by now! The appointment in August IS the informational meeting. I live outside of NYC....thought with all the hospitals, etc., it would be easier to get in for an informational meeting. Think I'm going to start with the insurance company and then follow up with my PCP.

YGH

[jiffypop]

grasshopper.. there ARE easier meetings to get into... some in joisy.. some on lawn guyland. some in westchester... where are you going??? if that guy in bergen county.. we can do better for you!!!!

[Young Grasshopper]

It's on Long Island.......not too sure I want to go with him though. I was told that he only does RNY. I want to check into Lapband as well.

[jiffypop]

pookie!!!! come and talk to grasshopper!!!