New and not knowing how to start?

I am just getting started and I don't know what I am doing? I am researching and asking questions, but I am unsure of the Insurance part? Do I check my insurance or does the doctor do that? Is there something that I should be doing untill I am referred to a surgeon? I just know that I sometimes can't feel my hands and arms in the mornings,after a good nights sleep. Then there are the nights that my acid reflux keeps me up all night. I can't go on like this anymore. Rhonda

Rhonda, The first thing I did was get out my workers handbook for my health insurance It will have in there the process you need to follow and if it is covered. well most of the time. It can be hard to read and diffcult to understand so see if there is a 800# to customer service. I also went to my own doctor to see what they recommend I also can relate to the numbiness is limbs at time. Acid reflux is also I issue I have at times. Good luck with your research. Lisa J

Rhonda, First thing is to understand the type of insurance you have. Do you need a referral from a Primary Care Physician (PCP) to see a surgeon? Are you limited in where you can seek treatment by a network? Also you need to find out what (if any rules) you insurance company has for gastric bypass surgery. Knowing these rules are critical. Do you need a supervised diet? Is there a certain % overweight you need to be or does it go by your Body Mass Index (BMI). And heaven forbid there is an exclusion for this procedure in your policy. My best recommendation is after finding out the above, look to see who is the best sergeon the in area that you can go to. I had my choice between a local doctor in Cedar Rapids who did 79 surgeries last year or travel 3 hours to a surgeon who did over 450 surgeries last year. For me there was no decision, I went with the more experienced doctor. Also read everything you can on this site about potential surgeons. Remember that after the initial consult until the surgery, people are in a "honeymoon" phase and usually don't have anything bad to say about their surgeon. This is a long process (I started in Oct 2002 researching and had surgery in May 2003). You will be frustrated at times, but hang in there. Remember we are here for you. - Janine