How did you start the process?

I'm seriously considering surgery. I'm 100 lbs. overweight and I keep gaining. How do I start? Do I check with my PCP? Do I consult with a surgeon first? I'm really not sure of how to go about this. TIA Rachelle

Rachelle: The first thing you should do is ask your employer for a copy of your insurance policy. Check on coverage and/or exclusions, and determine what your insurance company requires for approval. Next - visit your primary care physician and get a referral to a gastric bypass surgeon (if your insurance provider requires referrals). You should also ask your PCP for a letter of support and/or medical necessity to get the ball rolling. Once you've determined your insurance will cover the procedure, the next step would be to make an appointment with the surgeon. Good luck! P~ "Life is too short to wear sensible shoes!" "WWCHD?"

Thanks Pamela. I'm not really sure how my PCP will be about it.

Hi Rachelle, Do all the research you can about WLS so when you go to your PCP and he/she is against it, you may be able to change their mind (like I did). After presenting the knowledge I had, my PCP decided ok... My insurance (Aetna) required that I have 6 months of documentation of weight loss discussions with my PCP, Nutritionist and Psy appts. December will be my last documentation appt. with my PCP, I already had my nutri/psy appts. My Lab work is scheduled 30 days before the surgery (which, I don't know when that would be yet). I have to go,but feel free to email me; I help with all I can. Be Blessed

I heard the sale pitch for the lap band on the radio, sounded good, called for the seminar, encouraged myself, went to the talk ,learned about the proceduredures talked to the surgeons, they predetermined that they doing only the band or the rny was not appropriate for me that i need the ds and would need to see a a special surgeon at a teaching university, and referred my directly to Dr g. be cause of my previous surgery.