I have Q's

How did you find your surgeon? Did you use Barix Clinics? DId you like them? DO you know anything about them? Tell me anything. I am in the info gathering mode. ALso If I don't have a PCP, will I have problems? THanks Kym

Sorry, I dont know about that group. My friend had the surgery a few years ago, she reccomended New Self Bariatrics to me, her doc was Dr.Guske, but my doctor is Dr.Rantis. She went to the Wish Center at first, paid a fee for the mandatory seminar, but they never cashed her check or called her back Anyway, she had nothing but good things to say about the group, so I decided to go with them. With my group you have to attend a free seminar first, then schedule a consult w/surgeon, then they verify/send pre auth. to insurance company, once they recv an approval letter, they tell you what the next steps are....Nutrition class, psych eval, support meeting and a visit to the pulmonologist. All of the fees for those appointments are in my profile at the top. (All groups are different as far as the processes and steps you need to take) I was insured 4/16 thru my boyfriends insurance, (PBA) and right away started the process after I called them and confirmed that WLS was covered, all I would need is a letter of medical necessity, NO pre existing clause and NO 6 month supervised diet needed. I though I needed the letter to come from a PCP, but it didnt in my case, the surgeon was able to send all of their stuff out, and thats all the ins. co needed. I just recently started seeing a PCP, and made her aware of my plans. No problems on her end, she will communicate with my surgeon and visa versa when the time comes. So it all depends on your insurance plan. First call them and ask if bariatric surgery is covered and what are the requirements if any. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Good luck with your journey, you've found a great place to get information from. I love it here.

Hello, Kym, I went to Barix Clinics when it was called BTC. I had my surgery Aug. of 2002. I chose them because they do this surgery alot. Plus they have there own hospital. I had gone to the Wish Center first, went to the meeting, went to another appt. had some test done, talked to a counselor, exercise specialist, surgeon. They wouldn't tell me what was covered on insurance. Plus, they wanted a down payment of 1-2 thousand.Then I had to worry if the insurance would cover the hospital they worked out of. I was approved with my insurance when I went to Wish Center. So when I decided to go with BTC. I just needed to get the approval paper with BTCs name on it instead of Wish. I did go to an appt. at BTC and talk to the surgeon and found out what test needed to be done before surgery. So, I think your best bet would be to check with your Insurance company and see if you are approved and what doctors they will cover. Then compare the ones you like or are closest to you.There are alot more out there than when I was looking. I hope I helped a little. Best of Luck to you!! Angie

Kym, I initially went to Barix clinics and was not impressed, I have heard nothing but bad things about them. I do know one person that was pleased though, so I guess you'll have to research it. I didn't go with Barix because they seemed to want to push me through like cattle, hehe. Besides, they never called me back when I had a question either and I thought that was horrible. They also were not doing RNY lap, only open and I didn't want that. Good luck to you in whatever you choose! ~Jenn