Where to start...

Hi everyone! I am starting to look into having WLS and am trying to weigh exactly what my options are. I need help! I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what my first step should be. Should I make an appt with a surgeon or try to find a bariatric support group? I contacted my insurance company yesterday to see if they would even cover the surgery at all and got conflicting reports. I called them twice to verify what they told me was correct and got a different answer each time. The first person I talked to said that in order to have the surgery the only way they would cover it is if it were medically necessary, if I had a doctors diagnosis (other than merely just being obese). The second time I called to verify the person said it's not covered at all! I work for a NASA govt contractor in Greenbelt so I have a large group insurance (I think) so I thought for sure there would be some sort of coverage in there. What was the first step that you took in your WLS journey? I would very much appreciate any insight you have. By the way i'm in the Annapolis/Crofton area so if anyone can reccomend a nearby doctor  I would love you forever

Hello welcome!

I went to my PCP and spoke to him about it.  He referred me to Dr. David von Rueden. I called the surgeon's office and they told me when was the next information session.  I went and filled out all paperwork and Rose the (lady who deals with the insurance) contacted the insurance and collected all onformation from the insurance carrier. 

When I had my first consult Rose explained what was covered and what was my responsibilty as far as payments.  If I needed to have any comorbities and what my BMI needed to be which I was over the required amount.

I did go to a few information sessions before I decided to pick a surgeon.  Dr. david von Rueden was awesome.  He is located at St. Agnes in Baltimore.  You can click on his name on his name under the City and State under my name and you will get his address and phone number there.

I used to live in Odenton when I had surgery 3 years ago. He provides monthly support group meeting, nutritionist to help you and counseling all included in a program fee. But all so worth it!

Good luck with your journey.

Cira

This first thing I did was talk to my PCP.  He recommended JH at Bayview, and I attended one of their Bariatric sessions.  While the session was informative, I knew the practice was not for me, so I researched other surgeons in the area and attended a bunch of their seminars.  Many have support groups that meet the same night, so I attended a few of those as well. 

I lurked here, a lot, and I spoke to other people who I knew had the surgery.  I read a LOT of blogs and I googled a LOT.

I finally went to an information session with Upper Chespeake Bariatric and knew when I went that it was a fit for me - everything I looked for in a surgeon and a practice.  I called my insurance company, but the bariatric office called them as well to find out the requirements.

Hi MIss Amy:

I am in the beginning stages of my journey also.  What I did was attend a few seminars first to determine what physician would work for me.  From all that I am reading your physician relationship along with his/her staff is critical since it is a long term one.  Also, this is a lifestyle change. The doctor will be with you for EVERY step--pre-op, post-op and beyond.  So there has to be a good balance between competence and compatibility.

As far as the insurance company, be sure you keep track of EVERY conversation you have.  Look at your plan and see what procedures are covered and what physicians fall under the plan.  From that list, go to the seminars associated with those physicians.  That may save you in terms of money and heartache.

Ok, back to the doctor piece, I went to three seminars at three different time and tried to evaluate that way.  Mark Kligmann out of University of MD Med Ctr is who I chose.  FYI, they have offices in Millersville which is a straight shot on I-97.  I chose him for several reasons--first, in comparision to the first two, he outlined some side effects from the surgery that the other two didnt mention.  Vit D deficiency.  He comes off as someone who is CONSTANTLY working to improve and remain up to date on new information, research.  In his seminar he addressed some smaller nuances/details about the surgeries.  The other two docs explained the different procedures more academically.  For me, I still understood but I left feeling that there was something missing and I wasn't sure what that was.  It was TOO straight forward. 

I have already been to his office and his staff is professional, kind and very open about sharing their stories.  His coordinator Nadja is also very nice.  She was a patient of Dr. Kligmann's also.  My only complaint thus far was that there seems to be this rush to do everything and for me since I am still nervous about this step, its a bit off-putting.  I don't take it personally because there are so many patients to be seen.  The other MAJOR plus is that Kligmann established a Center for Weight loss and Wellness at UMMC.  I noticed that some on OH forum have spoken about their discomfort with the staff when they had their surgeries.  The lack of sensitivity was a common complaint.  UMMC has a floor that is devoted to bariatric patients and from the site it looks as if no expense was spared.  Larger beds, sensitive staff who understand the procedure and then the importance of the post-op diet and exercise afterwards is key.  For me, a physician who thinks like that is someone that I can be comfortable with for the long haul.

Lastly, Dr. K is VERY honest.  He expects you to be honest and he pulls no punches.  There was a slip up with a preventative procedure that I was suppose to have. Ihave a history of GI issues in my family so I needed to have two tests done.   It was my fault in terms of the scheduling piece for the first one.   When I had the second on Friday, and he saw I didn't have the first procedure, he was concerned and it was very evident.  I told him straight-up that I didnt feel comfortable with him at that point with his face looking concerned.  He explained his concerns and at the same time calmed me down.  Long story short, procedure was done and all is well.  No question is too big or small. 

So that is my saga for now.  Apologies if it was long-winded...lol.  I wanted to be as detailed as possible.  If you decide to see Dr. Kilgmann, he does seminars in a few locales including Greenbelt.  Dr Emmanuel Lo Menzo is the other physician.  I have never met him but I have seen his face on the UMMC website and I think he does the seminars in G'belt.

It has taken me 3 years to get to this point.  I am hoping to have my surgery at the end of the year.  I do a lot of lurking and reading.  But if you have any questions about my experience with Dr. Kligmann so far, I am happy to share.  FYI-2 if you chose him and you have to go to downtown B'more to UMMC, its easy to get to, there is a garage that is across from the hospital and they do validate parking.  The Endoscopy Lab staff was really nice--thats a PSA for anyone that reads this..lol

Good Luck and Blessings to you!

Christine

Wow guys thank you SO so much for writing all that! Its given me a lot to think about. I took a look at my insurance policy and it turns out that there is an exclusion for all WLS all together - even if it is needed for other reasons. I'm looking into other insurance policies now to see maybe if I can change it or just get a secondary insurance plan that will cover it.

Christine - I am actually registered to go to Dr Lo Menzo's seminar that is scheduled for this coming Tuesday. I've read good things (from lurking on these boards) about Dr Kligmans practice so I decided to check out the seminar. A good friend of mine had Dr Singh do her surgery at St Agnes so i'm probably going to go to one of his seminars as well.

Amy:

That is great!  I hope you have a positive experience!  I heard good things about Dr. Singh as well.  Let me know how it goes..

Christine

Hello Miss Amy , I live in Crofton and I will tell you that Kelly has a support group that meets at the Crofton libaray. It seems to be  nice group of people who speak very openly about weight loss surgery and after weight loss surgery. Many of them have different docs so I feel it is a good place to start. I will try to let you know when the next meeting is and I will also try to drop Kelly an email to. Good luck.


                                                                                                 Julie

That'd be great, I'd love to come to a meeting!