Need help getting approval and a dr.

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me.  I'm just starting this journey and I feel so lost.  I went to my primary care physcian and asked about getting lap band or gastric bypass.  She was not receptive and will not help me. I contacted my insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO Illinois) and they tell me that the surgery is approved but that my primary dr. has to refer me.  I meet all the requirements, I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, insulin resistance. urge incontence, etc. etc.  The only criteria I don't have is that I haven't been on a medically supervised weight loss program and that's because my dr. won't even give me that.  She keeps telling me to go to Weigh****chers.  Which I did but I didn't lose anything.  Anyone have any suggestions or advice?  I feel like this is such a losing battle at the moment.

It looks to me like you will have to get another primary doc. If you know which surgeon you will use, you could call the office and see who they recommend. If you post on this board which area of Chicago you live in, people on this board will tell you who their docs are. Hopefully someone lives close enough to be helpful. I can recommend in Rockford, but that probably is too far. Most insurance companies don't accept WW as a medically supervised program. If we could do that one we wouldn't need surgery!

Hang around here for a while and someone will post an answer for you with just a little more info!

Connie 

Hey there.  I live in IL and have bcbs as well.  I contacted my surgeon directly and skipped the referral from my primary.  She didn't believe in it either.  You do have to do six months worth of medically supervised diet visits and my surgeon had a dietician on staff to do this.  I used Mercy Bariatric Center.  Dr. Leslie McClellan.  She was absolutely wonderful.  She has two offices I used the one in Harvard because I live near Rockford.  She has another one as well in Vernon Hills.  Her staff is wonderful.   I would reccommend her to anyone.  It was frustrating waiting six months but I just had my surgery done and she was just the best.  Good luck and if you want more info you can send me a message.

I know primary docs in Rockford and Rockton who are WLS positive if you are interested.

Connie 

You guys are wonderful.  Thank you for responding.  I actually live on northside, in Sauganash which is near lincolnwood, niles and Skokie.  My primary is in Skokie.  I do think it is time for me to switch primary care physicians.  I just feel like isn't supportive.  SO now I guess I need to find one around here that is WLS friendly.  Can anyone refer one or a WLS physician to go through?