Question:
Please help, I need to know who should I tell to get a WLS started?
— Kimberly30 (posted on May 21, 2007)
May 21, 2007
Im a bit confused. is it you who would like to have the wls? if so then i
would start with your family doctor if you do not have a family doctor then
i would start with the database for wl surgeons in your state and see what
they are needing you to do. if you are asking if you should tell someone
else they need it, then im sorry but i can not help you there. and im sorry
if i read that wrong to if thats not what you were meaning
Take care
God bless you
Paula
— japaad
May 22, 2007
Hi Kim, welcome to the research for wls. There is so much to consider with
such a big question. When I started my journey, I called my local hosptial
to ask how long it takes to get an appt with a surgeon. For me it was 9
months to a year at the time. They said you have to attend an
informational meeting at least once anyway, so I went to the first meeting.
Then I saw my PCM and asked for a referral, put myself on the waiting list
to get an appt and began my research. I read books (you can search weight
loss surgery on amazon.com). I bought one book from a physicans pt of view
and one from a personal experience. I enjoyed learning from both. I went
to every informational meeting before I saw a surgeon and some support
groups. The information was the same, but the questions were always
different. I learned something every month by the questions that many
people asked. I went 9 times to these meetings, and it was very valuable.
Do you have insurance? You can contact them and see what or if they cover
and have requirements and what they are. Then I got pro active with my
history. Got tests that I would need for my first appt and took a sleep
apnea test to prove I didn't have it. Wrote out all the diets I did in the
prior two years to my visit with my surgeon, and got some
"supervised" weight loss support while I waited to see my surgeon
to prove that I wasn't just sitting around trying to gain weight. I
requested a copies of the prior two years of my medical records for the
surgeon to have, and put together a binder with all my tests, information
and copies of stuff. When I saw the surgeon for the first time, I gave
them a ton of information about myself. I only needed a chest x ray and an
upper gi test and then waited for approval. Being pro active will help
you. We can give guidance here on how to get started, but the work is up
to you. The more pro active you are, the more you can accomplish and
prepare to decide whether or not this will work for you. Take care and
best to you. Don't forget to keep your notes on your profile. You won't
lose them that way, and it helps others see what a journey is like. Feel
free to look over my profile, it may or may not help you. Take care,
Patricia P.
— Patricia P
May 22, 2007
I first checked with my insurance to make sure they cover wls. Then I went
to my primary doctor and discuss with her about having wls. She referred
me to wls doctor.
— barfiep01
May 22, 2007
If you have insurance, find out what is required by them and go from there.
Most insurances are now requiring 6 month weight loss program supervised
by your physician. Start there, that will give you an idea of what is
required of you and from your physicians. Good luck
— the7thdean
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