How do you get started????? WLS

I'm 35 years old and according to friends and family - I've always been overweight.... in 3rd grade I had a teacher make a year long bet with me to lose weight - 3rd Grade!!!! The bet was to see who lost the most weight by the end of the year - if one of us had a "Treat" we had to put a quarter in a jar, that she kept on her desk. Everyone saw this - from then on I was picked on. I was the tallest in the class.. over the boys and girls... I didn't get a training bra.. I went into a "C" in the 3rd grade. (In later years I found out I had PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - which can cause rapid development). I've had my kids and the factory is closed - no more. I've been thinking of surgery since my son was born in 2004. I've already had back surgery to remove 2 disks. I've had Laproscopic surgery to fix my messed up ovaries and get rid of some endometrial tissue. I've had 2 c-sections due to diabetic complications during pregnancy and just this year had my Gall Bladder removed. I'm a Type 2 Diabetic and have high-blood pressure. I have a family history of both and my mother (God Bless her Soul) had 2 heartattacks (52 years old) with stints placed and her coratid artery operated on to be cleaned out. I'm doing everything I can to not have that problem, I'm trying so hard to be pro-active and be here for my children. I'm a stickler when it comes to my meds. I do everything that my endocrinologist tells me to do. I just can't lose weight. I just had a Nuculear Stress Test done - to check my heart, due to some pains that I was having and a rapid weight gain. Everything was fine. Since 1998, I've not had a PCP. What I have had is specialists: Urologist, Proctologist, Gynocologist, Endocrinologist. From one to another. How do I get started - I think I might have chosen a surgeon, Dr. Hart - heard and read a lot of good things about him. I have Aetna PPO Insurance. Do I just go to the surgeon's (or call) and say I want to do this? Help - confused and scared - but wanting a better life. Rebecca (256/258)

Hello. I have Aetna too. You need to go to their web page and read their requirments. I did the 6 month supervised diet and exercise program but they also have a 3 month deal. You also need to call Aetna to make sure your company has a rider that includes WLS on their plan because some do not. If your company does have the rider then I would print out Aetna's requirments and take them to your PCP. Once you have met with your PCP then I would call your WLS surgeon and make an appointment. I used Dr. Paul Macik and he is really great. There are several really good WLS surgeons in the Atlanta area. Best of luck to you. Take care.

Thank you so much for the reply..... I'll get the insurance card out and see if the web-site is on there. I have a Doctor's appointment on the 14th of this month with my Endocrinologist, I'm going to bring up the WLS with her and see what her opinion is. One more Question for you, fellow Aetnaian.... Supervised diet - I know I'll find out what it is, but could you give me a head's up on it...... reason, the endo and I have been working together to keep my A1C level below 7mg.... currently 6.1, which is excellent control.... this is being done by meds and diet.... do you think they would consider that a supervised diet? Plus, I try and excercise 3 days a week as part of the diet control. And doing this - I'm still not losing weight.... in fact when I went to the doctor in June - I'd gained 15 pounds with no change to the diet.... she's added a blood pressure pill with dietritic and I'm still not coming down from the weight gain, also part of the reason for the NST that I had. Also, just to let you know your profile was one I checked out before posting, because you seem to be someone who cares about other in your reply to posts - thank you for being a good role model. Rebecca

Rebecca....hey honey....WELCOME....how are you? Gurl you NEED this surgery... I too have HBP, PCOS, rapid weight gain.....bla bla bla.... You are welcome to ready my profile.... My first step was attending one of Dr. Titus Duncans seminars....(where is Auburn? Are you close to Atlanta? Do you know what doctor you want to use?) Anyway if Aetna requires your 6 month supervised diet, I can send you a copy of mine that I had to do....it shows just what they expect your doctor to send them.... so make sure UP FRONT if that is a requirement because my insurance at the time never told me that, so they got to stall me while I did the 6 months.... I have it at work...if you like I can email it to you in the morning! I will be glad to help you with anything you may need....... 1st pick a surgeon 2nd find you a supportive doctor....(my PCP wasnt so I went to my OBGYN and he helped me) 3rd find out how to get started with that surgeon (its usually a seminar) and GO to one... yell if you need me honey, Im excited for you to start this journey... Oh yeah...look up top where it says INSURANCE....pull up GA then Aetna and read peoples comments..........its a big help! Good luck dear! I will keep you in my prayers!

Thank you so much - I logged on to the insurance website today - after 7 times of trying to get a user name and password - finally got on. I didn't find anything helpful on the site - so I sent an email to them requesting a benefits book and asking if the covered Weightloss surgery. I'm keeping a personal journal - to keep up with all attempts - having a feeling that I may need this. It's good to know that you were able to get help from a doctor other than a PCP. There are 2 possiblities here in Barrow County..... I've been to both at sometime or another. The last one is the one that placed me in the hospital for 2 days to get my HBP under control and she got me hooked up with the wonderful surgeon that did my gallbladder surgery. Now as far as her care on this subject???? I'm going to try my Endocrinologist first, to see if I can get her to be my advocate. I've heard good things about Dr. Christopher Hart and I have a friend that was looking at Peachtree Bariatrics (?) - I've looked on that site, also. I haven't been able to find a site for Dr. Hart. I've looked under Insurance - looks like Aetna does cover - but there are not a great amount of details as far as what they had to do to get approval. I'm one of those that likes to know everything up front before jumping in with both feet. Thanks for the Reply - I'll check your profile out - I love learning. Rebecca PS - I submitted a picture to be placed - so hopefully they will add it soon.

Rebecca, I also used Dr. Christopher Hart and can not even begin to sing his praises. I have found this man to be very straightforward and very professional with his approach to Bariatric Surgery. I can not imagine using anyone else now. I guess the old cliche is right about when you find something that works for you to stick with it. I instantly had a connection with him and his office staff. They worked just as hard as I did to get me approved and it was all done in a timely manner. In a little over 2 months from my meeting him for the inital visit to the date of my surgery. I have to say his office staff are on top of everything. I saw where you were looking for his website. I hope this helps.. www. atlantabariatrics.com There is not a whole lot of information there but it can give you some useful tips. If I can be of any help please let me know and no matter who you choose for your surgeon I wish you luck along the way. Patrice