Re: I am a new member to this board and I ahve questions

Hello: everyone: My name is Michelle and I am a new member to this forum. I am starting to research gasteric bypass and lsp bands as an options for me as I have hit desparation levels for needed weight that just wont come off I need to know how to get hings that I will need done so that I can have this done to me. Michelle

Welcome, Michelle! Gosh, I'm trying to remember how I started my journey....and I'm still pre-op! LOL! I guess I began by contacting a surgeon's office that I knew was reputable with WLS (live-lite in Junction City). They did the checking on insurance for me, sent me a great packet of info and got me moving down the road. Ultimately, I wasn't able to have surgery with them due to my insurance and had to switch to a different surgeon, one that I also have great confidence in. You could also begin by contacting your insurance on your own to find out if they cover WLS or not....and what kinds as some only cover certain kinds and also if they cover only certain surgeons, all things which would narrow your choices down. Also, read, read, read profiles to get a good understanding of this surgery. I think it is important to find out what others think about the surgeon you are thinking of...there are reviews on this site of different ones. When you first go to the local state board, you will find a place to click (right above the message board bar) for surgeons....go there and research. Ultimately, then find out what your surgeon requires to get a consult. For some, you just make an appt. For others, you have to attend one of their educational seminars (that's what I did with my current surgeon, Dr. Steward in Topeka). Once you know that, you can start "jumping the hoops" and the surgeon's office should guide you somewhat through that. For me, I had few hoops....my insurance approved me on the first letter in short order, I got my psych eval, and my consult and then it has been a waiting game till he can do my surgery (next Thurs). HTH, ask questions any time. I enjoy both the local board and the main forum to get my questions answered. God bless, Jenni

Dear Jennu: Thank you for the information. dr. Steward sounds like a nice and reliable person. I am odering two books about weight loss surgery. They are The Doctors Guide to Weight Loss Surgery by Louis Flanchbaum MD, and Weight Loss Surgery: Understanding and overcoming Morbid Obeisty By Michelle Boasten. GBU Michelle

Michelle, Congrats on beginning your journey and welcome to the board! Each surgeon (and insurance company) has different requirements, but the best thing you can do for yourself first and foremost is to simply take the time to READ, READ, and READ lots of information about the various gastric procedures and then to choose with your surgeon the best procedure for you. Being prepared is the BEST thing you can do for yourself. Make a list of questions to take with you to your consult. Heck, I'd just keep a running list with you at all times and as you think of them write them down. You may be able to get lots of them answered online by searching the Q & A section on this wonderful site (or others). That's a wonderful place to start and continue to use. Ask questions when you aren't really sure about what you've read/heard. Attend some seminars/support group meetings near where you live. It looks like you've chosen a surgeon in Topeka, so look at attending their support group meeting or since you are in Manhattan you're just a spit away from Junction City and their wonderful (my biased opinion there since that's who I used, LOL) support group. It seems that most surgeons require a psych eval (which I 100% think SHOULD be done) and then the bloodwork, etc. just check with the surgeon's office about what they require and if it's possible to get it done before your consult to speed things along. Heck, I've heard some places require the sleep studies too, so it just really depends on who you go to. Each insurance company is different and has different hoops to jump through. I see you've listed Medicare as your insurance. You might start reading profiles from peers in Kansas who also used Medicare and had their procedures to give you a better idea of what hoops you'd need to go through. The biggest thing, to me, though is just to simply start reading everything you can get your hands on. Heck I currently have a list of questions I'm taking for my next PS follow-up appointment, so get your list of questions going and go from there. Hope that helps to get you started. Best of luck! Sharon