How to even start?!?

Hi I'm Cathy and Im thinking about surgery to lose weght.  Where do you start?  Ive mde an appt. with my pcp to talk to her about it. I'm not sure if my insurance will cover it, and will have to call them.  Isn't there a meeting you have to go to before the doctors will even consider you?  Can someone help me please?
thanks, Cathy in Cumberland

Hi Cathy,

First you see your pcp then she can recommend to you a bariactric surgeon, your pcp office can make the appointment.  You see that surgeon and take it from there.  They will find out if your  health benefits will cover it.  I am not sure if you are looking for lapband or gastric by pass.  I had the gastric in 2006 and I am so happy I had it done.  There are people on this board that have had the lap also.  You will get a lot of response and help from them.  Good Luck. 
Carol B

Ok, thanks Carol!  Ive been researching the gastric bypass. I had thought maybe the band, but then something is left inside of you and who knows what kind of problems that can lead to? At least with gastric bypass, its you..just a bit reconfigured. 
thank you for your post back to me. I appreciate it!  Cathy

I suggest you research the different docs in RI (and surrounding areas) and go to their info meeting - this way you can get a feel for each surgeon and make that choice yourself.  All docs have different mannerisms that match dif. people.  I know if I am not 100% comfy I will not be satisfied.

Does your ins. require a referral?  If so and your PCP gives you a referral to a doc you did not want ask them for the doc you do want - TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR OWN HEALTH!!!

Call your ins. first though - see if it is a covered benefit and know their req. first - mine req. 6 months sup diet with a physician.  They are all different!

Some of RI docs:

Dr. Roye
Dr. Pohl
Dr. Harrington
Dr. Giovanni

Ok thanks!

I guess Ive done the diet with a doctor, I was on the opptifast plan with Dr. Pera thru the Miriam Hospital...anyway, thank you for all your help. I dont know what my insurance covers or wants so I will have to find out.
thank you for your help and support!
Cathy

Dr Sax does the surgery too, and he is at Miriam.

Thanks! I tried to remember them all! I know there is another one -Dr V....

Oh yeah, right.... Vithiananthan.....also at Miriam.  Thanks!!   :o)

hi cathy, i also live in cumberland, RI and its a process, whick i am in the middle of it,s a meeting with WLS Dr. and you have tests,a bunch, about 4 mths ,do you have BCBS ??

Big Rhody

HI there..as far as insurance, I have Harvard Pilgrim.  Its been a good insurance but didnt cover the weight loss clinic at Miriam where I did optifast with Dr. Pera 3 TIMES!  anyway, i think surgery may be a different thing all together.  
Are all these doctors located in Providence I wonder? and I read that  I had to go to a seminar on it before they will even consider it? where are those and when does anyone know? 
I have called my PCP but of course she doesnt have saturday hours so I will have to wait till Monday to get an appt with her and then who knows when that will be. Im hoping it will be this week.  Thanks for your support!  Cathy