Need Help getting started

Hello everyone my name is DeeDee and I am 37 yrs old and we live in Stone Mountain.  I have been looking into wls for about 2 years but never had the courage to move forward with it.  Now I am ready to go for it.  We have United Health Care ins and if I'm reading correctly, it is covered.  I've tried to talk to my husband about it and he is so quiet about the whole subject.  We've been married for 17 years and we have a 16 yr old son and also a 3 yr son.  I was diagnosed with diabetes about 8 years ago and recently hbp.  We just switched ins companies.  we had kaiser which would not cover the surgery and when my hubby lost his job (Ford Motor Company Worker) we switched to UNH.  I was on the UNH website and they had this obesity help page which give you all these phone numbers and what hospital does the surgery.  My problem is  that I don't know what to do first.  Can anybody here help me?  Also, my current weight is 285 lbs.  Thank you all so much.

Hey DeeDee! My first step was discussing my desire for weight loss surgery with my primary care physician.  She was the one that referred me to a couple of surgeons and (later) was helpful in writing a letter of medical necessity for my pack to the insurance company. As for choosing a surgeon, you will get lots of help on this board, so do a lot of research on the matter before you pick someone.  Be sure that your surgeon and his office staff are people you feel you can work well with - they will become your BEST BUDDIES or worst enemies through this whole process, so being comfortable from the start will be a plus! Good luck to you!

Hi my name is Becky and I have been working on this process since April 07. It is a long line of paper work don't get frustrated just keep being positive and you will get it all taken care of. You do have to start w/your primary care doctor he/she has to send a letter recommending you need this surgery. I to be a Diabetic Type II it has been shown that 93.7% of diabetics that have this surgery done will no longer be diabetic. For me this is my main reason to have the surgery done the weight lost is just a perk that follows. I am in the final process of getting my surgery set up I am using Dr. Titus Duncan. Ms. Pompey has been helping me get set up I am waiting for my paper work to come back from review then get my apt. and finally the surgery. Good luck and make sure you stay on top of things and all your paper work has been turned in and you should find out 1st what your insurance company wants from your primary care doctor it makes the process a little easier.