New here and have a question

Hello,

I'm new here and trying to find out if Horizon NJ Health covers Bariatric surgery. Does anyone know what guidelines and pre-req's they use?

Thanks

Hi,
 I have Horizon NJ family care and it does cover after 6 months of watched weighins... I go to a nutrionist and get weighed in once a month , I have till february.I know only one surgeon that covers the surgery,he is Dr Wasser in Wilmboro( that might be the wrong town). He has a great success ,I also have  afriend going next month and she has the same insurance. ANy more question,please get in touch with me. Maybe we could become chat friends,Im looking for new friends to go
Denise-South Amboy.....

Great! Thanks for the information. I would really like to stay in touch with you as well. It's good to go through this with someone else. I'll contact Dr. Wasser and setup an appointment. Did you also have to show a 5-year history of being overweight?

Thanks for the info!

No just 6 months....u need to see a few doctors and then u can see the surgeon.I started my appointments in September, i go see a nutrionist once a month,Ill go see the surgeon in Decmeber and then start seeing the pulimonary and the pyschologist,then u get a date for the surgery..Good Luck and let me know how you are doing
Neece

HI BeccaNJ,


Yes they cover Bariatric surgery.  I have Horizon NJ Health.  You can call Horizon and they will give a list of surgeons in your area.  My surgeon is Dr. Ducheine.  As far as what they require the surgeon that you find will know that information.  I don't know what they require now, because things have changed since I had my surgery. My DR. is in East Orange, NJ. I don't know if that is far from you, but he takes Horizon NJ Health.  He is a good surgeon, and so far I have been doing good.  Also my surgeon does an extra procedure, that a lot of others surgeons through out NJ don't do.  Here I will explain it.  After he does the actual bariatric surgery, he places a band around your new stomach(not the lap Band) it is a band made of mesh material, that won't allow the stomach to ever stretch  beyond 4oz's.  This is the newest procedure to be added to Gastric Bypass surgery.  I am happy that my surgeon adds this band, because I will never be able to stretch my stomach back to way it used to be, and gain the weight back.  I believe anyone who has a severe problem with over eating will eventually stretch out there new stomach the way that it used to be, with out this extra procedure, i believe i am trully blessed that my surgeon does this extra procedure.  It has been about 15 months since my surgery, and I still can not eat half as much as i used too.  I am surprised that a State Insurance would have a surgeon who is up to date with this procedure, like I said I am truly blessed.  Well Welcome to the NJ Board and I hope this information was helpful.  Let us know how things are working out.  Good-Luck!!!!

Hi I have Horizon Medicare and just wanted to let you know that Dr. Wasser is an excellent Dr. he did my friends surgery 3months ago and is doing my surgery in 3 weeks.  Good luck!!

Thanks everyone for all the great information!

How do I get this process started? Do I contact the group that the doctor is located?

Hi,
 to start off with our insurance you have to go see your primary doctor,once u talk to them ,you should have blood work done too.Once your done then you have 6 months from that appointment ,you can go see the nutrionist for about 4 months, in between pick a surgeon out.Then they will tell what to do,but for 6 months you need to be weighed once a month.Let me know how u are doing and if you need help with anything.
Denise

Thanks for the information. Should I ask my Primary Doctor to weigh me in once a month or should I do that through a nutritionist?

Hi

 You can go see ur primary every month but u have to see a nutrionist anyway? Are you close to new brunswick,cause i have an awesome nutrionist,she is very nice and understanding? Let me know.