Question:
Should I write a letter prior to my consult?

I want to write a letter to help the doctor explain why I need this surgery? One that he can use as a guidline for his own or even submit with his. I really do not know how to go about it-getting started- and then even giving it to the surgeon without offending him. Has anyone done this and can someone share their letter with me? I have already search the library on the site and could not find what I was looking for.Thank You    — Jan S. (posted on October 27, 2002)

October 27, 2002
Hi, Your surgeon will want to know about your past weight loss efforts (this is very important..they like to see that you have tried in the past). I typed up a paper with my weight loss history (ie: weight watchers; lost 80; gained 100 back, etc..)
   — Marlene U.

October 27, 2002
Usually when you go for your initial appointment you fill out a history questionarre, or at the very least your surgeon will go over your history, and all of your comorbidities. His office is the one that will write the letter to the insurance company. You do not have to write a letter, however if you want to, there is a wonderful sample on this site at http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/m-ins-lettermn.phtml. I cut and pasted most of this to form my letter. You can do that for either your doctors benefit or to send along with his letter. Your surgeon has done this alot, and he knows what he needs to get approval, but it never hurts to overkill the insurance company. GOOD LUCK!!!
   — dkinson

October 28, 2002
I started out by writing a letter to my physician and gave it to her when I had an appointment to talk to her wls. I wrote a small bit about myself and why I personally wanted the surgery and then I went on to talk about my medical history, family history, diet attempts, co-morbids...etc...and thanked them at the end for considering me for surgery. I also took a copy with me when I saw the surgeon and just addressed the letter head to him. The insurance girl in his office said that they (insurance companies) love this kind of stuff. I also wrote my letter of 'medical necessity' and had my pcp sign it, even though she also wrote one of her own for me. My suggestion is that anyone who has to see their pcp first, or perhaps this will work with a surgeon too, it to have your pcp put you on a diet that day. This being because it often takes so long to get from seeking wls to actually getting it and many don't have well documented doctor supervised diets. Go weekly for a weigh in or bi-monthly while you are waiting on a surgeon referral. At my doctor's office you can go just for a weigh in by a nurse so you don't have to have an appointment and pay the co-pay. Have the nurse write your weight on a prescription form and have her initial it so you have a record. You can give these to your doctor at your next appointment with him/her and they can enter it in your medical records. I only had one 6 month doctor supervised diet, but by the time all my paperwork, evals, etc. were ready to be sent to the insurance company I had another current diet with my pcp for the last 5 months. I was approved in a couple days. Just a suggestion.
   — blank first name B.

October 28, 2002
Jan, I emailed you a copy of my letter. Good Luck!
   — Amber L.

October 28, 2002
Jan, my doctor actually requires all of her patients to write a letter describing their past attempts at weight loss, their understanding of the procedure and its risks, and why they believe they are a good candidate/want to have the surgery. I basically wrote mine as an autobiography, starting with when I first realized I had a problem with excess weight. This website was a great source of information about the various procedures and their risks. I encourage you to write the letter---it really helps you to internalize why you want to do it, what the risks are, etc. Good luck and God bless--Martha---new life scheduled to start on 12-11-02!
   — asumamma1