Dumb ? but here goes .....

I finally got the info from my insurance company and it appears there should be no problem ... but does my PCP have to be involved in this process or has she basically passed me along to the surgeon and he will put me with a nutritionist, etc? Will my PCP be co-ordinating with my surgeon? I am totally confused here. I am going to the March 2006 seminar at Ohio State University (hopefully it will not suddenly snow!!!) and I am working on my application from OSU now. I am really excited to get the pieces all falling together. My PCP is just not showing much enthusiasm or giving me advice. All she said was "contact OSU Bariatric" so I assume that is her referral or is there more I will need from her? Should I shop for a new PCP? The insurance (BC/BS Blue Preferred) said I had to be on a 6 month supervised diet by my physician. All she ever did was hand me a low cal diet sheet. Of course I didn't lose much (starved and finally cheated) then gained more ... which is typical for me. Anyone got any suggestions? Thanks!

All I needed from my pcp was a letter of medical necessity and a lab work up. Best of luck to you! Dawn

Thanks Dawn! I may get Dr. Needleman . I am going to March seminar at OSU and will turn in paperwork. So the PCP does the lab work up? I have very high cholesteral. I guess I will find out more at the March seminar. How was your experience with OSU? And how are you doing? Take care! Susan

Susan, ]My insurance company is not the same as yours. My pcp put me on a diet for 6 months. Every month I had to go in for a weigh in and talk about diet and excercise. They had to have a 6 full months of dated weigh ins. I gained and lost the same 5 pounds. Your surgeon should take care of all of that. But you will more than likely need as referral letter from your pcp. Best wishes Barb

Thanks Barb. I hate the thought of having to go on a diet (which will be the same diet over and over) and will lose some weight then gain it back. It is ridiculous. I am 52 and have been on them alllllllllllllllll (except Jenny Craig & L A Weight Loss). I did the DR supervised protein drink diet ... that was a joke (I think that was the Opti-fast). I did nutri-systems years ago. I think that was the one where you had to have the vitamin shot weekly? I have done Weigh****chers many times. Some I was on went out of business ... lol. My fat sure did last though. There was some Gloria something or other I went on ... it had exercise tables and stuff. I did lose a little on that and I felt great then got prenant and balooned up to 275 (from 180) and had to lay on my left side in bed for the last 3 months of my pregnancy (pre-eclampsia). When I had the baby (c-section) they had me on IV (no food) for days and I lost 30 pounds. Then I went on weigh****chers and got down to 205. I was soooo depressed and going through a rough time with child's father and started gaining and when I got to 220 that is about when I went on the Opti-fast. Lost some ... gained more. On and on and on. This yo-yo ing has been happening for 40 years! My Mom always let eat all and what we wanted then one day told me I ate too much (I was around 15). Well the patterns had already been set. I hardly remember a meal without mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes or pan fried potatoes. Lots of macaroni and cheese, hot dogs (I cannot eat them anymore), balogna, on and on. I cannot remember not having some sort of pie, cake or cookies around. I guess she fed us the way she learned. When she developed heart problems and COPD in her 50s ... she finally took diet and health seriously. She passed away last summer . That was just horrible to see her suffer. She was always fat (before she worked on losing some due to her health) as were/are her relatives. She had edema (lasix daily) and osteoporosis along with all the heart problems. I fear I will end up like her. I was re-reading this info and it appears that the DR just has to review previous weight loss etc and approve it. Now I can't find where I saw that 6 mo supv. diet ... lol. My eyes are going too! or my mind! I will try to scan this and send it to you Barb and see what you think, if that is ok? You seem to be pretty up on things. Thanks so much! Susan