Finally ready to "go for it" but need some guidance

Congrats to all of you that have gotten on with your lives I want to do the same but need some guidance. I have the information pretty much filled out for OSU Bariatric program. I did find out that my insurance covers it. NOW ... do I send in this form and wait for OSU to assign me a surgeon or do I have to "specify" one? From what I have seen at the website for OSU there are only 2 surgeons (Dr. Needleman & Dr. Mikiami (sp) ) so I am a little unclear about this process. Do they contact me after reviewing the application then assign me a surgeon? I guess it really doesn't matter which surgeon I get ... but I see Dr. Needleman seems to be more experienced? Can anyone give me the "steps" they took and approximate time lines involved with the process (especially if you went through the OSU program)? Thanks so much

Hello. I went to OSU also. Start to finish my process was about 6 months. Are you in the classes yet? Do you have to do the 12 week exercise program? I did not have to do the 12 week program because I did Physician's Weight Loss for a year before the surgery. I did my 4 week program in September and received insurance approval during those 4 weeks. I was then able to schedule surgery, which was in November. I think there are 3 docs at OSU that do the bariatric surgery. Dr. Needleman is the busiest so I went with first available with Dr. Mikami. He is really great and did a fabulous job on my surgery. I would recommend him to anyone. After you send in the application, it is reviewed by their commitee and you are accepted or denied for the first step. Then you see their psychologist and dietician and send in the paperwork from the PCP's office. After all of that, it is reviewed again and accepted or denied into the real program. Then they seek insurance approval and you are told what classes that you need to take. The 12 week class might be before all of that, I don't know where it fits in. They should contact you in the end about scheduling a pre-op date with a surgeon, which is where you will find out your surgery date. I hope this helps. You can e-mail me with any questions. [email protected]

my sister had Mikami too and really likes him. And he could get her surgery done sooner. he has had good follow up and his staff is quick to call back with answers when she calls with questions. I went to the Barix center, I liked them as well. It took me 5 months from first appointment to surgery... Good luck! Pam