referrals?

Hi. I have been looking into WLS for a while now and hope to get the lap RNY but my question is this--did you all have to get referrals from your PCP to start the appointments and all that? ANy input on the beginning of this whole thing would be appreciated. Thanks. Meredith

Hi Meredith, Yes you will have to get a referal from your primary care unless you plan to self pay. Check with your insurance co. to be sure. Donna

Yep, what Donna said. I'm having Lap RNY with Dr Partridge at NWH and I had to get a referral for 5 appointments with my surgeon from my PCP. I have Cigna. Insurance is messy and confusing so give yours a call! Good luck!

Hi Meridith. I'm just starting to research surgery myself. I had spoken to my PCP a few months ago and he sort of just blew me off. I knew I wanted the surgery -- the other day I picked up the yellow pages and looked under physicians and they referred me a the Bariatric Surgery Department at Med City in Worcester. The nurse told me they were having an informational meeting on 7/10 -- so I go tomorrow night to find out more about it. But the nurse was very helpful and gave me a lot of information. She explained about going to informational meetings, and there'll be meetings with all sorts of other specialists -- behavorial; nutritionist, etc., etc. And I asked about insurance. I have CIGNA - she does too, and she said I shouldn't have a problem getting approval. I went back to my PCP today and told him I'm looking into the surgery and asked him if he'd give me the necessary referrals and he agreed to it. (I didn't tell him I would have changed PCPs if I had to so I could move ahead !!). The nurse also told me it could take 4-6 months before I have surgery because of all the screening, etc. I'm determined to get this done. I'm going to be 52 this Fall, and I have been fat, fat, fat all my life. The time has come for a "normal person" life. Good luck to you ..... and me and everyone else here.