where to begin?
HI everyone!!
It's a new year, and once again, my weight has me depressed more than ever. If I don't do something soon, I am going to end up in my bed 24 hours a day and/or dead from a heart attack. I have aches and pains that are mostly aggrevated by the weight, and it's not getting better any time soon.
So once again, I want to research the surgeries and decide which is right for me. this is not my first time researching. I have been around for years, deciding, reading, and watching as others around me DO something while I wait for the magic weight loss fairy to come.... It's not happening, so I know I have to pull myself up by the bootstraps and kick myself in my rear to get going with living and not dying.
Where do I start? I have already talked to my general practitioner, and he agrees that I need the surgery. I am morbidly obese. 150pds overweight. maybe more.
My sister just recently had the LapBand surgery. I don't think it is for me, since she is smaller and didn't have as much to lose, she has basically done most of her weight loss by just dieting herself...not really from the lapband. If I could do that, I wouldn't be in this boat now!
I've had two friends who have had the surgeries..one had the DS, and the other the RNY. Both live far from me, so I can't go to their dr's.
Is the first step to find a surgeon in my area? then what? do I call for an appointment to talk to him? I just dont know where to start..
It's a new year, and once again, my weight has me depressed more than ever. If I don't do something soon, I am going to end up in my bed 24 hours a day and/or dead from a heart attack. I have aches and pains that are mostly aggrevated by the weight, and it's not getting better any time soon.
So once again, I want to research the surgeries and decide which is right for me. this is not my first time researching. I have been around for years, deciding, reading, and watching as others around me DO something while I wait for the magic weight loss fairy to come.... It's not happening, so I know I have to pull myself up by the bootstraps and kick myself in my rear to get going with living and not dying.
Where do I start? I have already talked to my general practitioner, and he agrees that I need the surgery. I am morbidly obese. 150pds overweight. maybe more.
My sister just recently had the LapBand surgery. I don't think it is for me, since she is smaller and didn't have as much to lose, she has basically done most of her weight loss by just dieting herself...not really from the lapband. If I could do that, I wouldn't be in this boat now!
I've had two friends who have had the surgeries..one had the DS, and the other the RNY. Both live far from me, so I can't go to their dr's.
Is the first step to find a surgeon in my area? then what? do I call for an appointment to talk to him? I just dont know where to start..
Hi Cheryl,
You are already on the right track by knowing something needs to be done. Now, check your insurance. Find out what it covers and what it requires that you do to get approved.. You will need a "Statement of Medical Need" to be submitted to them by your PCP which will document your weight loss attempts and failures over the years. The next move is to find a surgeon close to you that accepts your insurance and find out what his/her requirements are. Schedule the initial consultation and take a copy of the medical need letter with you. This appointment is very important. You will discuss your surgery options based on your current health. He/she will also submit a letter of medical need to your insurance for approval. In my case, once I had the initial consultation, everything else was scheduled through my PCP...pulmonology/sleep studies, EGD, psych evaluation, and the life skills classes required by the bariatric program/office you go through. In fact, the surgeon you choose will probably give you a list of all of the different doctors/offices they work with. Depending on the results of your tests, if all is ok you will get a surgery date. Then the pre-op diet, usually consisting of high protein, low-fat and sugar free for a couple of weeks. It's hard but you can do it. The pre-op diet is required for a couple of different reasons: 1) to shrink the liver because the obese liver is enlarged and low fat/sugar free diet causes it to shrink and make room for the surgeon to work. 2) to determine whether you are disciplined enough to commit to a strict program of weight loss and maintenance for the rest of your life. My insurance required a pre-op weight loss of 2%, which for me was only 7 pounds but I lost 18 pounds pre-op on that liquid diet.
You can do this. We have all done it, and are here for your support. Let us know how things go for you and don't hesitate to ask ANY question. Good luck and hold on tight...you are in for an exciting ride!
You are already on the right track by knowing something needs to be done. Now, check your insurance. Find out what it covers and what it requires that you do to get approved.. You will need a "Statement of Medical Need" to be submitted to them by your PCP which will document your weight loss attempts and failures over the years. The next move is to find a surgeon close to you that accepts your insurance and find out what his/her requirements are. Schedule the initial consultation and take a copy of the medical need letter with you. This appointment is very important. You will discuss your surgery options based on your current health. He/she will also submit a letter of medical need to your insurance for approval. In my case, once I had the initial consultation, everything else was scheduled through my PCP...pulmonology/sleep studies, EGD, psych evaluation, and the life skills classes required by the bariatric program/office you go through. In fact, the surgeon you choose will probably give you a list of all of the different doctors/offices they work with. Depending on the results of your tests, if all is ok you will get a surgery date. Then the pre-op diet, usually consisting of high protein, low-fat and sugar free for a couple of weeks. It's hard but you can do it. The pre-op diet is required for a couple of different reasons: 1) to shrink the liver because the obese liver is enlarged and low fat/sugar free diet causes it to shrink and make room for the surgeon to work. 2) to determine whether you are disciplined enough to commit to a strict program of weight loss and maintenance for the rest of your life. My insurance required a pre-op weight loss of 2%, which for me was only 7 pounds but I lost 18 pounds pre-op on that liquid diet.
You can do this. We have all done it, and are here for your support. Let us know how things go for you and don't hesitate to ask ANY question. Good luck and hold on tight...you are in for an exciting ride!
KathyG
Hi Cheryl,
You are already on the right track by knowing something needs to be done. Now, check your insurance. Find out what it covers and what it requires that you do to get approved.. You will need a "Statement of Medical Need" to be submitted to them by your PCP which will document your weight loss attempts and failures over the years. The next move is to find a surgeon close to you that accepts your insurance and find out what his/her requirements are. Schedule the initial consultation and take a copy of the medical need letter with you. This appointment is very important. You will discuss your surgery options based on your current health. He/she will also submit a letter of medical need to your insurance for approval. In my case, once I had the initial consultation, everything else was scheduled through my PCP...pulmonology/sleep studies, EGD, psych evaluation, and the life skills classes required by the bariatric program/office you go through. In fact, the surgeon you choose will probably give you a list of all of the different doctors/offices they work with. Depending on the results of your tests, if all is ok you will get a surgery date. Then the pre-op diet, usually consisting of high protein, low-fat and sugar free for a couple of weeks. It's hard but you can do it. The pre-op diet is required for a couple of different reasons: 1) to shrink the liver because the obese liver is enlarged and low fat/sugar free diet causes it to shrink and make room for the surgeon to work. 2) to determine whether you are disciplined enough to commit to a strict program of weight loss and maintenance for the rest of your life. My insurance required a pre-op weight loss of 2%, which for me was only 7 pounds but I lost 18 pounds pre-op on that liquid diet.
You can do this. We have all done it, and are here for your support. Let us know how things go for you and don't hesitate to ask ANY question. Good luck and hold on tight...you are in for an exciting ride!
You are already on the right track by knowing something needs to be done. Now, check your insurance. Find out what it covers and what it requires that you do to get approved.. You will need a "Statement of Medical Need" to be submitted to them by your PCP which will document your weight loss attempts and failures over the years. The next move is to find a surgeon close to you that accepts your insurance and find out what his/her requirements are. Schedule the initial consultation and take a copy of the medical need letter with you. This appointment is very important. You will discuss your surgery options based on your current health. He/she will also submit a letter of medical need to your insurance for approval. In my case, once I had the initial consultation, everything else was scheduled through my PCP...pulmonology/sleep studies, EGD, psych evaluation, and the life skills classes required by the bariatric program/office you go through. In fact, the surgeon you choose will probably give you a list of all of the different doctors/offices they work with. Depending on the results of your tests, if all is ok you will get a surgery date. Then the pre-op diet, usually consisting of high protein, low-fat and sugar free for a couple of weeks. It's hard but you can do it. The pre-op diet is required for a couple of different reasons: 1) to shrink the liver because the obese liver is enlarged and low fat/sugar free diet causes it to shrink and make room for the surgeon to work. 2) to determine whether you are disciplined enough to commit to a strict program of weight loss and maintenance for the rest of your life. My insurance required a pre-op weight loss of 2%, which for me was only 7 pounds but I lost 18 pounds pre-op on that liquid diet.
You can do this. We have all done it, and are here for your support. Let us know how things go for you and don't hesitate to ask ANY question. Good luck and hold on tight...you are in for an exciting ride!
KathyG
First off Congrats on making the right choice to do research and not just jump into it. I had the RNY done just over 2 months ago. It was the best choice for me...
My sister also had the lapband done and it wasn't for me either, she didn't have the horrid sweet addiction like I did.
First off, look at your insurance, see if it covers it and what your requirements are. I have medicare/medicaid so I paid ZERO for my surgery. Drs appts I paid for but not the surgery at all. BUT i still had to have 6 months of dieting, and stuff so its a good idea to see what your insurance requires.
I also had to go through a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, it was required by my insurance and so before you just "call anyone" make sure of what your requirements are for that as well... you don't want to get comfortable with a surgeon and find out you can't use them.
Then after you have your dieting requirements done, just call their office and make an appt. I never had to have a letter of neccessity from my pcp, just the dieting and center of excellence... look at your insurance. THEN I would find a good dr to call and make an appt....
My Best to you...
Christina
My sister also had the lapband done and it wasn't for me either, she didn't have the horrid sweet addiction like I did.
First off, look at your insurance, see if it covers it and what your requirements are. I have medicare/medicaid so I paid ZERO for my surgery. Drs appts I paid for but not the surgery at all. BUT i still had to have 6 months of dieting, and stuff so its a good idea to see what your insurance requires.
I also had to go through a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, it was required by my insurance and so before you just "call anyone" make sure of what your requirements are for that as well... you don't want to get comfortable with a surgeon and find out you can't use them.
Then after you have your dieting requirements done, just call their office and make an appt. I never had to have a letter of neccessity from my pcp, just the dieting and center of excellence... look at your insurance. THEN I would find a good dr to call and make an appt....
My Best to you...
Christina
Eli Mathius arrived June 19, 2011
Conner Ryan
8-2-2010
An Angel in the book of life wrote down my baby's birth, then whispered as she closed the book "Too Beautiful For Earth" -- Love you sweet boy...
Conner Ryan
8-2-2010 An Angel in the book of life wrote down my baby's birth, then whispered as she closed the book "Too Beautiful For Earth" -- Love you sweet boy...
Congratulations on taking action. That's the biggest first step in the long journey toward good health. Here's the order that I'd do things:
1) Call your insurance company (the number on the back of your insurance card). Find out which surgeries are covered (even if you don't think you'll go with one, find out all that are covered). Find out what the criteria is for each surgery --- BMI, history of obesity, medical records, medical tests, psych eval, co-morbidities, diet documentation, etc.
2) Get that list of criteria in writing. This will become your checklist. Don't trust anyone else to get that list for you .... this is YOU taking charge of your own care. The insurance clerk at your surgeon's office will help you navigate this maze... but you need to be at the steering wheel on this one.
3) Buy the book "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" (I bought mine on Amazon.com). It will walk you through every step of the process - from researching the different surgeries to picking a surgeon to packing for the hospital to what to eat after surgery. I've read it cover to cover twice and refer back to it often -- even now at 14 months out.
4) Talk to your PCP. Get him on board with this journey. If he's not supportive, find a new doc who is and who is familiar with how to treat WLS patients after surgery.
5) Find all the surgeons in your immediate area (or however far you're willing to travel) and go to their free informational seminars. You need to "interview" the programs and decide which is the best fit for you. The surgeon's skill and experience is very important ... but so is his aftercare program. The surgery is one day, but living your post-op life lasts the rest of your life so look for staff nutritionists, psychologists, support groups, exercise programs and nursing care on call to answer your questions.
6) Read, read, read.... read every possible profile and blog made by people who have had the surgery and what their real life experiences are. Read every post on these OH forums even if you don't think it applied to you yet ... read them all (you can skip the OT ones if you need to). Read every possible scrap of research on complications, nutritional care, vitamins, biology and science related to WLS and nutrition in general. Read until your eyes want to fall out... then read some more. Knowledge is power! The more powerful you are the more successful you are. You're welcome to start with my profile and blog.
This is going to take some time so don't expect to be rushed through. Most people take about 18 months from the time of their decision to the time of their surgery. Being prepared and staying on top of each step will help it go more smoothly.
Pam
1) Call your insurance company (the number on the back of your insurance card). Find out which surgeries are covered (even if you don't think you'll go with one, find out all that are covered). Find out what the criteria is for each surgery --- BMI, history of obesity, medical records, medical tests, psych eval, co-morbidities, diet documentation, etc.
2) Get that list of criteria in writing. This will become your checklist. Don't trust anyone else to get that list for you .... this is YOU taking charge of your own care. The insurance clerk at your surgeon's office will help you navigate this maze... but you need to be at the steering wheel on this one.
3) Buy the book "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" (I bought mine on Amazon.com). It will walk you through every step of the process - from researching the different surgeries to picking a surgeon to packing for the hospital to what to eat after surgery. I've read it cover to cover twice and refer back to it often -- even now at 14 months out.
4) Talk to your PCP. Get him on board with this journey. If he's not supportive, find a new doc who is and who is familiar with how to treat WLS patients after surgery.
5) Find all the surgeons in your immediate area (or however far you're willing to travel) and go to their free informational seminars. You need to "interview" the programs and decide which is the best fit for you. The surgeon's skill and experience is very important ... but so is his aftercare program. The surgery is one day, but living your post-op life lasts the rest of your life so look for staff nutritionists, psychologists, support groups, exercise programs and nursing care on call to answer your questions.
6) Read, read, read.... read every possible profile and blog made by people who have had the surgery and what their real life experiences are. Read every post on these OH forums even if you don't think it applied to you yet ... read them all (you can skip the OT ones if you need to). Read every possible scrap of research on complications, nutritional care, vitamins, biology and science related to WLS and nutrition in general. Read until your eyes want to fall out... then read some more. Knowledge is power! The more powerful you are the more successful you are. You're welcome to start with my profile and blog.
This is going to take some time so don't expect to be rushed through. Most people take about 18 months from the time of their decision to the time of their surgery. Being prepared and staying on top of each step will help it go more smoothly.
Pam
My Recipe Index is packed full of yumminess!
Visit my blog: Journey to a Healthier Me ...or my Website
The scale can measure the weight of my body but never my worth as a woman. ~Lysa TerKeurst author of Made to Crave
Hi Cheryl, I do agree with the others to look at your Insurance first. I am from Macomb County & my VSG is scheduled for 2-3-09. My Dr. is Dr. Hawasli in St. Clair Shores. St. Johns Hospital on Moross every first Monday of the month has Weight Loss Seminars that gives you all options available. This is something that you should look into. Good Luck
Cheryl.
I chose RNY through Beaumont weight loss clinic for several reasons. Beaumont offers full pre and post surgical support through their weight loss center, They have everything under one roof and it is convenient to go to. The have support groups meetings, an exercise gym, medical doctors for follow up, nutritionists along with lectures and seminars all at the center. The support is wonderful and has really helped me. The main reason I chose to have it done there was the surgeon, Dr. Kevin Krause. I did a lot of research before my surgery, 3 years of research, and time and time again his name came up as one of the best in the nation. Five other doctors all told me that if they were considering RNY Dr. Krause was the only surgeon they would go to. After meeting him for the first time I was convinced. Not only is he a skilled surgeon he is a compassionate man with a true understanding of the needs and concerns of overweight people. See my profile. I have lost over 180 lbs since March 25, 2008. Feel free to email me if you want more info and I will try to email you back what I can about the Beaumont WL Center, including when their next seminar on the surgery is going to be.
Nick
PS You are much closer in Roseville to Beaumont Weight Loss Center ( 14 and Crooks) than I am in Oxford.
NN
I chose RNY through Beaumont weight loss clinic for several reasons. Beaumont offers full pre and post surgical support through their weight loss center, They have everything under one roof and it is convenient to go to. The have support groups meetings, an exercise gym, medical doctors for follow up, nutritionists along with lectures and seminars all at the center. The support is wonderful and has really helped me. The main reason I chose to have it done there was the surgeon, Dr. Kevin Krause. I did a lot of research before my surgery, 3 years of research, and time and time again his name came up as one of the best in the nation. Five other doctors all told me that if they were considering RNY Dr. Krause was the only surgeon they would go to. After meeting him for the first time I was convinced. Not only is he a skilled surgeon he is a compassionate man with a true understanding of the needs and concerns of overweight people. See my profile. I have lost over 180 lbs since March 25, 2008. Feel free to email me if you want more info and I will try to email you back what I can about the Beaumont WL Center, including when their next seminar on the surgery is going to be.
Nick
PS You are much closer in Roseville to Beaumont Weight Loss Center ( 14 and Crooks) than I am in Oxford.
NN
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