New and lost
Hi everyone. I am a newbie here and I am confused about where to start. I have been researching wls for about two years now and at this moment I have decided to go for it (this could change tommorrow)lol. I have called the insurance company and they were no help at all. I guess I start with my pcp? At what point do you make an appointment with a surgeon? Does anyone else here have BCBS os Alabama PPO? Can anyone help me with my first steps? Thanks, Kristi
Hi Kristi
I started with an appointment with the surgeon... and he had a class on the surgery followed by a one-on-one talk with me, then their office gave me a checklist of things to get done... and I have been jumping through all the required hoops ever since....
I have a couple more hoops to jump through before I even get the whole package submitted to the insurance company... but I am working on it!
Marc
Kristi,
At least talk to your PCP about it. Mine was all for it, so no problem there. I started with one surgeon, then after taking the time for all the paperwork, found out he no longer took my insurance (someone I'd worked with had used him, so I thought he still did!!). Once I made an appointment with another surgeon, I asked them what I needed (each one is probably different, and it may depend on your insurance too) - I needed 5 years of medical records (to document my obesity & issues), and a letter of medical necessity from my PCP. No problem!! I had all of that when I went for my first meeting, along with a diet history and it got the ball rolling.
Good luck!!
Ann in Duluth
Hi Kristi,
It's very normal to fell somewhat confused - especially when you have contacted your insurance company and can't get an answer. Get used to the feeling because this can be a tedious and timely endeavor 
But the results are well worth it. I had surgery 12/02/03 and my only regret is that I did not have the surgery at a younger age. I was 43 at the time and I have done more living in the past 16 months than I have done in the last 20 years.
There is an excellant book by Brian Woodward called The Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery. My surgeon (Dr Hart) actually required us to read it in the approval process. It describes in detail the different types of surgery (has drawings and actual surgery pictures), how to get started, how to choose a surgeon, a list of questions to ask surgeon, post op eating guidelines, things to take to the hospital and what to have on hand when you get home....the list is endless. It can be ordered online from most of the big retailers (amazon, barnes & noble, borders). Dr Hart sells them in his office and that is where I got mine.
I had BCBS HMO so I needed a referral from my pcp for the surgeon. With a PPO I don't think you need a referral but pull out your benefits booklet and it will tell you if you need one. I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type II in February from an endocrinologist. I started doing a 6 month supervised diet with the dietician in his office in preparation for wls. He gave me a list of 5 surgeons and my gastro dr had given me 1 name so I began researching. Most of my research was done here on obesityhelp. I began reading profiles from people in my general area and looking at the drs that were being used. I then called the surgeons offices to see about getting information packets and if they did in fact accept my insurance. I ruled out 3 from this alone. In May I changed my pcp. I had my first appt with new pcp in June and he gave me my referral with no problem. I had selected the surgeon I wanted to use at that point and fortunately it was one that my pcp recommended. I had my first appt with Dr Hart 2 weeks later. 5 months (1 heart cath & 1 denial) later I had surgery.
The other thing I would suggest is finding a support group to attend. Online is great but seeing people week to week or month to month makes a big difference. I still regularly attend 3. My surgeon has a monthly one, Wings Around Atlanta has a monthly one, and I attend a weekly one. Most of the surgeons have monthly meetings and anyone is welcome to go to them. You can ask questions and get a general feel for the surgeon at the same time.
Good luck in your journey and don't hesitate to email me if you have any other questions! I am off to the first monthly Wings walk.
Marie
post op 12/02/03
lap rny, Dr Hart
539 (highest weight 11/01)/ 382 day of surgery/250 (4/17/05)
But the results are well worth it. I had surgery 12/02/03 and my only regret is that I did not have the surgery at a younger age. I was 43 at the time and I have done more living in the past 16 months than I have done in the last 20 years.
There is an excellant book by Brian Woodward called The Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery. My surgeon (Dr Hart) actually required us to read it in the approval process. It describes in detail the different types of surgery (has drawings and actual surgery pictures), how to get started, how to choose a surgeon, a list of questions to ask surgeon, post op eating guidelines, things to take to the hospital and what to have on hand when you get home....the list is endless. It can be ordered online from most of the big retailers (amazon, barnes & noble, borders). Dr Hart sells them in his office and that is where I got mine.
I had BCBS HMO so I needed a referral from my pcp for the surgeon. With a PPO I don't think you need a referral but pull out your benefits booklet and it will tell you if you need one. I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type II in February from an endocrinologist. I started doing a 6 month supervised diet with the dietician in his office in preparation for wls. He gave me a list of 5 surgeons and my gastro dr had given me 1 name so I began researching. Most of my research was done here on obesityhelp. I began reading profiles from people in my general area and looking at the drs that were being used. I then called the surgeons offices to see about getting information packets and if they did in fact accept my insurance. I ruled out 3 from this alone. In May I changed my pcp. I had my first appt with new pcp in June and he gave me my referral with no problem. I had selected the surgeon I wanted to use at that point and fortunately it was one that my pcp recommended. I had my first appt with Dr Hart 2 weeks later. 5 months (1 heart cath & 1 denial) later I had surgery.
The other thing I would suggest is finding a support group to attend. Online is great but seeing people week to week or month to month makes a big difference. I still regularly attend 3. My surgeon has a monthly one, Wings Around Atlanta has a monthly one, and I attend a weekly one. Most of the surgeons have monthly meetings and anyone is welcome to go to them. You can ask questions and get a general feel for the surgeon at the same time.
Good luck in your journey and don't hesitate to email me if you have any other questions! I am off to the first monthly Wings walk.
Marie
post op 12/02/03
lap rny, Dr Hart
539 (highest weight 11/01)/ 382 day of surgery/250 (4/17/05) Most Active
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