Hello there! Another newbie here!

Hi there, Im new to the board and WLS. My insurance at work just started covering WLS this year, I work for Citi bank and have United Health Care ins. Ive made teh decision to have WLS asap. Ive htought about it for years but Im finaly tired of being trapped in this body. I weigh appx 350lbs, stand 5'9" tall and I am 35 yrs old. I have 3 kids as well. I currently have issues with chondromalacia on both knees, grade 3-4 in one adn 4-5 in the other. I have a gallstone as well as the usual back aches and shortness of breath. I have also recently started having I think are heart palpatations. I dont know where to start with getting the surgery though. Do I just go to my family Dr and tell him I want him to refer me to a surgeon? What do I do? What can I expect in this experience? Any insite is welcomed and needed! Thanks in advance... also is there anyone else here from the Tricities area of Tn? Im in Jonesborough Tn

Welcome...I am new to WLS myself as I just had my Lap Band surgery two weeks ago...but let me tell you that you will find this board to be most supportive...I am sure you will start getting some of the answers you are looking for...Good Luck!!

Hi Tina, I live in Sevierville, outside of Knoxville.  I do believe we have some folks from Johnson City on the board.  I know there are some good surgeons in Johnson City, but don't know their names.  You will have to find out which surgeons your insurance covers.  You can go to your insurance company's web site and look up surgeons there, then you can "find a bariatric surgeon" at the left of this screen.  That will give you a starting point for when you go to your PCP. Also, I imagine some folks on this site have some ideas.  If you want to go to Knoxville, Dr Steven Boyce at Parkwest is excellent.  Anyway, welcome to this board!  We love to have newbies!  Ask any and all questions.

Welcome tinantn! Congrats on your decision to have WLS!  It will be one of the best decision you will ever make.  Now, put on your seatbelt and hold on, it's a wild ride, but worth every minute!  Feel free to jump in, ask questions, and answer ones that you know.  And if you ever need anything, this is the place to be. Please keep us informed of your progress.

Hi Tina and welcome, this is the most resourceful place to be and I love, love ,love the people in this forum. I do wish you the best in your journey and success.

As for where to start, I fell off of the carport and my brother's girlfriend saw a big black bruise going from the front to the back of my knee and asked me what it was, I knew I had fallen but I didn't expect that. I went to my PCP and she ran numerous tests and sent me to an orthopedic surgeon, who found arthritis and suggested weight loss surgery. Hope this tidbit of info has helped.


Diane

I am also new to this site and have already found comfort and wisdom here. I just recently got approved for my lapband surgery and will find out my surgery date very soon. My suggestion is to go to your primary doctor and talk to him about all your weight-related problems. He will need to document everything. Then he can tell you what surgeons in the area do bariatric surgery. Make an appointment with the surgeon that is covered by your insurance. Once you have your first consultation you may have to jump through alot of hoops to get approved by your insurance. Every company is different. I'm with Blue Cross and they require a 3 month seminar-type program, 3 months documented in a fitness program, and a 5 year weight history documented by a doctor. They also require a 10% weight loss before surgery.  It was a long road to get approved, but it was worth it to get that letter in the mail and realize my life-long misery of being obese was about to be over. Good luck to you! Leslie

Howdy from one newbie to another. I am actually from VA but my doctor is in TN so I post here. My doctor is Dr. Michael Hodge in Johnson City. He is in the Surgical Group of Johnson City. He has a partner and he does WLS also. His name is Dr. Scot****son. They operate at JCMC which is considered a "Center of Excellence." Your PCP has to make the appointment if you use them and it may be a couple of months to get an appointment. My consult is July 9 and it was made in early May. I will be more than happy to let you know how things go on that day if you would like. Just send me a pm.Best wishes on your journey.!!!

Thank you all so much for the replies, sorry to take so long to post again, busy weekend with my kids/house etc lol. It amazes me the friggin hoops you have to jump thru to get this surgery! I would think that if your ins covers it then thats it...THEY COVER IT! But you still need to meet certain requirments? Geez.  Makes me so mad sometimes. Im in Jonesborough Tn which is right outside Johnson city by  like 10 min lol so I guess I would go there for it. Im anxious to get this ball rolling!