So how did you get started?

My husband recently switched jobs, and now WLS is covered by our health insurance.  I couldn't afford it before, but now I am ready to get started.  I was just curious, where does one start on this journey?  Did you go to your PCP and get a referral? Did you just call a surgeon and make an appt?   Did you call your insurance company first? We don't have any seminars in the Colorado Springs area for me to attend, so I can't do that.   After researching as much as I could online, I think the Lap Band is the option I would prefer.  I just am not sure where to start!

make sure that your ins. will cover lap band, then call you PCP and ask if they support your decision for WLS, if not, then I would actually get another PCP, as it is much easier if they support it as you will be seeing them also.  There is one main surgical group here in the springs, they operate out of Penrose Hospital  they are Colorado Springs Surgical group.  Before you can meet with the surgeon, you have to attend an informational meeting with Fran the baractrics coordinator.  Good Luck in your journey!

I think it's important to point out that you need to contact your insurance company to see what surgeons and facilities they cover. If your hospital covers Penrose Hospital and covers the surgeons there then that is definetly a place to consider. But if your insurance only covers facilities and surgeons in Denver, then Penrose is not a place to really consider unless you want to pay high out-of-network costs. It's also important to get co-payment and deductible costs related to the surgeries from your insurance company to make sure it will be affordable. Also important to note that both lap-bands and gastric bypasses require post-op appointments to check blood for deficiencies and lap-bands require fill checks.  I think almost everyone starts with their primary care physician (PCP). Most of the time when they refer you to a surgeon it's within your insurance plan, but double check! Most insurance companies require a referal for surgery consultation, instead of just getting an appointment with a surgeon. Check to see what your insurance company requires so they will help pay for the appointment. When you receive a referral from your PCP to a surgeon, call up the surgeon's office and they should walk you through their list of procedures. Some surgeons want you to attend an informational meeting before they see you. Some surgeons want you to come talk to them first, then they send you out to different meetings, classes, doctors, etc. If you are still not quite sure which weight loss procedure you want to get...talk to your doctors and surgeon about both procedures. Attend both the lap band and the gastric bypass meetings to get more information. Attend the Penrose Hospital Weight Loss Surgery Support Group, most people have had gastric bypass there but there is a growing attendence of lap banders. The meetings are held the 1st & 3rd Tuedays and 2nd & 4th Fridays of every month at 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. They are held in the Penrose Hospital conference rooms on the ground floor - CC (Cancer Center) A, B, and C. The groups website is http://www.weight-lossforlife.com/weight-loss-recipes/ .

I sent you a PM with some info

I called and left a message with Fran, so I guess that is the official start.  I've also left a message with my PCP to discuss it.  I think she'll be really supportive though.   Thank you so much for your input ladies!

Good luck!  Let us know how you are doing.

I posted another reply below...but here is a link to the  Obesity Action Coalition's  "“Working with Your Insurance Provider: A Guide to Seeking Weight-Loss Surgery”  http://www.obesityaction.org/resources/insurance/oacinsuranc eindex.php hopefully it has some information that is helpful. You can also order a free copy on their website to be deliever to your home. You can also download a .pdf copy.