Don't know where to begin...

I am new to the site and have been monitoring it for sometime now. I recently joined because I have been wanting to jump off the cliff with both feet and have the surgery - but have been scared to death to do so. After reading your emails and seeing how happy everybody is I think I'm ready. I used to be an avid surfer and have been "out of the water" for 6 years now due to an injury and am tired of sitting out. The question I have for you is do I go to a regular physician first or can I just go straight to a Bariatric surgeon?

Congratulations on deciding to take the first step to a more healthier you. It is a big one isn't it? In answer to your question it really depends on your insurance requirements. If your insurance requires you to have a referral or authorization to go to a specialists then you will need to go to your primary care physician first. If not, then you can contact the bariatric surgeon of your choice that accepts your insurance. You do need to check with your insurance to make sure that bariatric surgery is covered before you pursue all the pre-op evaluations. Find out if they have any specific requirements you have to meet. Also, check out the free information sessions in your area for Weight Loss Surgery. This can give you some good insight as to how you will relate to the surgeon and if the hospital has a well established bariatric program. Make sure that the surgeon plans to follow you for life. Good Luck!!!!! Julie

Well for me I went to a seminar on lap band and gastric bypass surgery first. I was weighed there and they gave me my BMI. I then went through the seminar. The dr. that I wanted to use and did ultimately perform my surgery required that the seminar be attended before you could even schedule the appointment with them. I called my insurance company next to see if they paid for the surgery under the medical neccesity guide lines and they did. I then made the appointment with surgeon and the rest is history. Julie put it well that it does depend on certain requirements though with your insurance. I was lucky and just went straight through my surgeon they helped me manage it all. Good luck to you! I will say that the surgery was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself and I would go through it all again 100x over to feel like I do today! Kellie

Thanks so much for this info. I will proceed immediately and see where I can go from here. Thanks also for the supporting words "It was the BEST thing you ever did for yourself"!

Thanks for taking the time to explain the process - that gives me some direction. I will proceed from here! Thank you again - for the response!

Angela, Call the Obesity Surgery Center at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville. They can send out a packet to you with information about their two surgeons and all you need to do to get things rolling. There is a support group which meets once a month in a classroom just off the ER. They can let you know the next date and time. (I think it is around Sept. 12th, but not 100% sure.) I will be having surgery there this coming Monday, Aug. 28th. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask. Sheryl

Great!!! Thank you!!! I will call today - please let me know how your surgery goes. I wish you well.

not sure what you need to do... but here is what i did..... ( i was 17) i first went to my primary and discussed what i was thinking in reference to the surgery... got his approval.. then i found a surgeon... ent to his seminars and i knew he was the one... i chose dr rosenthal out of cleveland clinic weston.. then i did my 6 month supervised diet thingy... then i schedualed surgery for 1/17/05... ( a whole year later when i was about to turn 19)... the whole process took a long while... im so happy i did it and i feel great!!! i have my next surgery date for my lower body lift...12/6/06 lex