how do I schedule surgery?

I have a question for anyone who can help. I plan to attend the free seminar with Dr. Wellborn on April 17th, but I was hoping I could get some questions answered before then. Do you set up the srugery before you even see him one on one? Do you set it up at the seminar or do you just call and tell them when you would like to have surgery. I want to have my Lap-Band done in June because the school year will be ended for me and I really don't want to have surgery in the middle of school. I would hate to leave my students hanging like that!! Anyway, I just wanted to know what the set up process was kind of like so I would know a little about what to expect when I got to the seminar on the 17th. Thanks!! Karen

I just had my surgery one week ago today. To answer your question, it all depends on whether you are self pay or if your insurance is going to pay. My insurance paid. I attended the seminar in the middle of November, so it took me three and half months to have my surgery. From what I can tell, if you are self pay, it can happen fairly quickly. You have a book you have to fill out, it is about 40 pages. There is some blood work and things that you need from your primary care physician that is included in that paperwork. Once they get that and enter it in they schedule a consultation. Now when I got my consultation scheduled, my surgery was scheduled before I went for my appointment. Also, you have to attend a support group meeting before surgery as well. Hope that helps some...

Thanks Stacy!!! I feel like a lost sheep in this whole process. I am so nervous and excited at the same time. I just want to make sure that I have understaood the whole process correctly. Thanks for the information and insight!! I really appreciate it! How are you feeling since your surgery? Who was your doc and where did you have it done? Did you have Lap-Band or RNY? Thanks again!! Karen

Hello Karen, I called 4 different Dr.s offices and talked to the nurses and recptionist. (You can find out alot about a persons character by the people that work for him) Asked a few questions and then forund out when the seminars were. I attended 3 different seminars and did alot of reading on this board. I checked the Doctors background and experience along with the success rate of the individual Doc with the surgery, checked to see how many law suits he had filed against him and how they were settled. I found out that Baptist is the only Center of Excellence hospital in the state and made sure all Docs were Liscened to practice in that hospital. Wheeeeew, it wore me out! I decided on a Doc, called the office and scheduled the consult. They in turn scheduled the labs and dietition all the pre-testing.. The seminars are just information that you will need ( the good and the bad). They touch on insurance, what they expect of you before and after surgery. What you can expect from the Dr. and his staff. It will have lots of information about the surgeon. You will not set up surgery the day of the seminar, it is just for information only. Now other people may have done it different than I did but for me this is how it went. I wish you luck in your journey for information. Hope this helps. Huggs, Rhonda

Hey Rhonda!! Wow! You have been very busy. I am so ready to have this whole thing over with. I have done extensive research into the doctor I want and I think I have chosen one! One question though, how do you find out about the lawsuits they have had filed against them? That would be some interesting information to learn because it would help you make a more informed decision. I would like to see that information. Thanks for your help. I would like to have my surgery in June so I can have the summer to recooperate before school begins again in August. I guess I need to try to set up an appointment now even though I have not been to the seminar right? Is that what you would do? Thanks again! Karen P.S. I kind of feel like I know you from all the help you have given me! It's nice to know there are so many great people out there who are more than willing to help out a person in need. I appreciate everyone so much! Thanks again!!

Karen, I sent you a PM. You just have to look on the internet and also it helps to ask anyone you know in the health profession. They all know each other or know of each other. Hope this helps. Rhonda 7 days to go

Karen, I believe you can get an appointment without going to the seminar first. He does require you go there before surgery. Its about 2 hours of information. The one I went to his whole staff was there available for questions. You can get the patient packet online and have it ready for the seminar. http://www.drclaywellborn.com/index.php?q=support/packets I am having my band done with Wellborn in a week. Sorry, I know nothing about the Insurance game, I am self pay, but I know they work hard to get everyone into the system asap... You can call or Email Suzan or Jamie @ Wellborn's office (again see website) and let them get started with your information. Get your labs done before the appt with Dr. W. Adding my personal opinion here.... I found that after his seminar, there wasn't too many more questions I had for my consultation... And that felt reassuring to me. The fact all 4 office girls have the bad made a big impact on me since when I call in I know I can get someone on the phone that understand what the heck I'm thinking or feeling. It was the first Dr. visit EVER that I felt not only did no one look at me funny because of my weight, but that the staff wanted me there... I can't say enough about how impressed I was with his staff and the good Dr... Hang in there.... We are all here for ya!!! Susan O

Hey Susan! Thanks for your help. I have talked with Suzan several times by e-mail and she seems extremely helpful and more than willing to answer any questions that I have had. Also, she got the whole insurance thing clarified with me. I now know that I will be self paid so I hope that helps me to move this thing along faster! Thanks again! Karen

I first contacted them March 7- Dr. Appt March 28- Surgery April 5.. Whoooosh!! I feel so blessed to get this done so quickly... I know other have had quite a time of it getting the Ins thing all worked out. Hang in there! Susan

You will not get an appointment before June unless you are self pay. If you are using insurance, you will probably have your consultation and be scheduled for surgery sometime in June.