Just starting out

I took the first step today and met with my pcp. My insurance carrier is GHI. This is new insurance so I'm still trying to decipher the policy! If anyone has had experience with GHI, I'd be grateful for any info you can give me. I live in the Syracuse area and have been referred to University Hospital. My pcp told me that at my next appointment with him he will give me some contact #'s for post-op patients that I can get in touch with. I feel somewhat lost as this is all so new. I'd like to find out as much about the surgeon that I can, however I don't have a name yet, I do have the names of several dr.'s that preform the surgery at the hospital. They are sending me some forms to fill out and tell me that it takes approximately 3 months before they will contact me. If anyone has had surgery or is familiar with the University Hospital Bariatric Center I could sure use the info! Thank you! Heidi

you might want to double check but i do beleive that ghi requires six months of supervised weight loss from a weight loss doctor or any doctor but whatever it is you decide i wish you the best of luck and keep us all posted in what ever you decide Stacy -90

Heidi, I have GHI and they do require the 6 months weight loss program with a Dr weigh in, also mine said they wanted me to see a nutrionist also for the 6 months. It is a pain in the tushy and a waste of time but that is what they require. Best of luck to you to you hun...... Once you see your surgeon then he/she will be able to tell you what GHI requires and what they require. Take care Debra P

Hi Heidi and welcome to the NY board. You have made a wise decision to have wls and a difficult one too. I too have GHI and they do require 6 month surpervise diet with your PCP letter of necessity by your PCP and the co-morbidity if you have any..don't let GHI descourage you from your dream to be healthier and happier and also thinner....I have had a long battle with GHI I was denied and denied and denied til I finally got the approval......you must continue to fight for your life cause that is what this is about living your life and no****ching life go by.... I wish you the best of luck in your journey please keep us posted and please post any question you may have... Christine

Thank you for the info everyone. I am awaiting a packet from the hospital here and once I fill everything out I will know more. I am worried about the insurance issues. I was just happy to see that they didn't have the exclusion in their policy unlike the last 2 insurance companies my husband was insured with. I won't give up either! My PCP is behind me all of the way. I actually sobbed when we had our discussion yesterday because I wasn't sure of what his reaction would be when I started talking. I made sure he knew that this isn't something I've decided lightly, I have been researching for 2 years and discussing it with my husband and weighing the pros and cons. I have hbp, high cholesterol, diabetes, severe back pain, asthma, oh the list goes on and on. I want this surgery to feel better, to be able to keep up with my 2 children, to be able to walk a flight of stairs and not feel like I'm going to die when I get halfway up. I've struggled with obesity my entire life. I'm so glad I found you all.

Hello, Heidi and welcome! I had my surgery at University with Dr. Cunningham. He does open only, if that is a factor for you. Feel free to check out my profile. I was pretty good about keeping track of my experiences early on. To navigate to the profile - just click on the profile button on the bottom of this post. Good luck, Jo