how to start process?

Riddle me this: How did you start the process?  Did you start with your primary care physician?  My insurance does not require me to have referrals, but I know at some point I'll need to get this thing approved.  Should I make an appt for a consult with an in-plan doctor first?  Help!

I first went to a free seminar that explained everything.  then I made a consult appt with the surgeon and went from there.  I really think it depends on a lot of things....what ins you have mainly...lol

Good luck!

the more referrals from doctors, the better it looks for you trying to get it done.  Thats the way I felt.  But my normal doc referred me to the gastric doc.  Then I did the seminar and so forth

I first found my weightloss surgeon and he then gave me a list of homework that had to be done.. ie bloodwork, clearance from my family doctor, complete physical, ultrasound, heart doctor clearance etc.  It was a long process but well worth it. Christina

All insurance plans are different, I started with calling my insurance company and getting a list of hospitals, doctors, ect that they approved of first. Also, what testing they required. I then went to a free seminar and listend to that. I picked my surgeon, and made a visit to him.  Good luck on your quest, and stop back and let us know how you are progressing.

I think I'm about one step ahead of you in the process (maybe two steps), as I'm pretty new to this as well.  Christine is right, check out a free seminar.  (As it turns out, I attended one at her WLS office.)  Get as much information as you can (from seminar, wedbsites, your doctor, etc., and determine if this is the step you want to take.  Call your insurance and see what is needed for approval, as some require doctor supervised diets, letters of medical necessity and so forth.  Also, every WLS doctor's office is different, as is there approach to pre-and post-surgical "treatment."  While it is overwhelming at times, it really pushes you to determine if you're taking the right step for you.  Good luck!