Don't even know where to start! Please help!

My name is Amanda. I have Group Health of Eau Claire insurance. I don't know where to begin to get this process started. Do I have to go through 6 months of trying to diet first? I have a BMI of 60. I am 5'7" and 388 lbs. Does anyone know what the first step is? And where to go from there? I am sorry I sound so choppy with this, I just have so many questions and want this soooo bad. If anyone has any answers, TIA! Amanda

Hi Amanda, I would contact your insurance first to see what their requirements are or if they have any exclusions in the plan. Call customer service. Then I would find a surgeon in your area and try to get an appointment for your consultation. Or ask your PCP for a referral to a surgeon. You definately qualify as far as your BMI/weight goes so hopefully your insurance covers it. Best of luck to you! ~Your fellow Amanda

Thanks for the reply, Amanda2 (lol). I did call my HMO today and they told me that I have to do six months of a diet and exercize program with my doctor. I have to have a mental evaluation, also. I wonder, do they want me to lose some weight to show that I can follow a diet regimen? Or is the point to NOT lose weight, so it seems that I really need the surgery. LOL. So confused....but I am going to see my doc on Wednesday, so hopefully it goes well. Again, thanks for the reply..hope to hear from you again sometime. Amanda

Hi Amanda, I am having RYN at UW Madison - Meriter on May 8TH, 2007. Two reasons they want you to lose weight is for you to show your commitment to this life changing operation, and the other is to shrink your liver to make the operation easier and safer to perform. Where are you having your surgery and what type? Hope this helps and best of luck during your journey. John

Hi Amanda! The point of the 6 month diet is to show that you can stick with a program. I am in the process of one also and I have only lost about 5 lbs, but I am changing my habits to prepare myself for surgery and that really is the point. Also, I did have to have a psych eval which was no big deal. Also, after the insurance approves me and my date is set, the surgeon requires a 2 week liquid diet to shrink the liver in order for the surgeon to operate easier. I think one of the other posters mentioned that. Anyway, as for the 6 month diet and the psych eval--my surgeon's office set me up with all of that so all I had to do was show up!! Hopefully it will be just as easy for you! Good Luck!

First of all I am always confused about the 6 month diet. If we could have lost weight without the surgery we would have. That being said things to think about. My doctor had the 2 week liquid diet for liver shrinkage and to make his job easier. I lost 11 lbs in that 2 weeks between the liquid diet (as best I could) and the laxitive the day before. I also went on a weight loss drug to take some weight off before surgery. The one I used was the "Phen???" part of Phen phen. I forgot the name but your doctor would know. It only works for 3 months and then your body adjusts to it and it stops working. I started too soon and lost and then gained weight back. If I were doing it over I would diet as hard as I could on my own and then do the drug 3 months out and then the liquid diet. It would give your body a chance to lose some weight slower than after surgery. It would have a little time to shrink skin etc. and ease into the process as well as getting used to following a diet plan. I wish you the best of luck, Linda

Hi Amanda. Have you researched a surgeon yet? I had Dr.Pitchford at Marshfield in Eau Claire. I do know there is a dr. with the Midelfort system that is now doing them. I can find out his name for you if you'd like. Or call the Colfax clinic and they should be able to put you in touch with him. Not only does insurance have requirements but the surgeons do as well. Most of my pre op was surgeon requirements, and I was compliant and did as I was asked. Even though it cost me over $1500 out of my own pocket, I wanted this surgery bad enough to do anything he asked!! Best of luck to you. If you need any help or support locally he has support meetings the first thursday of the month. Or else message me and I will see if I can help you. After all, we are neighbors! Cheryl

Thanks for the reply! I don't really know who I am going to go to for the surgery...I used to go to Marshfield Clinic, but now I go to Midelfort. I didn't know they had a surgeon, I only knew of Dr. Pitchford. If you know of him or a name or something, that would be great. I am ready to do anything that is asked of me, because I want this so bad. Once again, thanks for the reply! Amanda

Dr. Chris Hower is the surgeon at Midelfort in Eau Claire. Hope this helps. Cheryl

Thank you so much for finding that name for me. I did call him and should be hearing from him soon. I have an appt. with a nutritionist next week, and also the mental health eval...so I feel like I am at least accomplishing something. lol. I hope it goes fast, but I know I gotta have patience! If ya think of anything else I might need to know, don't hesitate to give me a holler! I can use all the help I can get! Thanks for everything!! Amanda