Question:
i need help !

im considering having surgery. i am really need of it and i dont know how to get started so can someone please help me?    — ladybear4765 (posted on November 18, 2005)

November 18, 2005
Regina: Here are my tips for getting started: 1. Research the different types of weight loss surgeries to help you decide which one is right for you. This website has great information, and you can find alot of info by searching "weight loss surgery" on Google.com. It is VERY important that you find a support group near you that welcomes people with different surgeries so you can hear some first hand accounts. I cannot stress the importance of research too much - I jumped into a surgery 3 years ago without researching, and I am now scheduled for revision as it wasn't the right surgery for my needs. I would have saved myself alot of time, money, and heartache if I had done my homework first. 2. Find out what procedures, if any, your insurance pays for. You may be able to get this info on the agency website, or you may have to call to get info. Again, OH is a great place to get information on which insurance companies cover what procedures. Take special note of what your insurance company requires to determine medical necessity - some look only at BMI and/or comorbid conditions, others want to see proof of attempts at weight loss for a specific period. It is much easier to get the process started if you know what you need and get it all in place first. 3. Find out what surgeons your insurance covers, and then research them. Check their forums on this site, talk to people in your local support group about who they used and why they would or would not recommend them. I would advise getting a consultation with at least 2, or better yet 3, surgeons to see who you feel most comfortable with. Your comfort level and trust in your surgeon makes a world of difference in how you feel going into and coming out of surgery. 4. Be patient. I know that's hard. Believe me, I am one of the most impatient people I know, and waiting to hear from the insurance company, going to all the required appointments, etc seemed like hell on earth...But keep in mind, we didn't get to the point of needing this procedure overnight, and we aren't going to get past it overnight either. And taking your time to research, get things in place, and find the best surgeon for your needs is - believe me - worth the time and effort. My best to you in your journey. Please feel free to email me personally if you have other questions. I will do my best to help... Blessings, RL
   — becklath

November 19, 2005
I agree with everything the other person posted about doing your homework ahead of time. Find out all the options available to you and DO take a look at several surgeons. I absolutely agree that it's essential to pick a surgeon that you feel comfortable with FIRST, and then make sure of their credentials. A positive attitude throughout this whole process is critical...before, during and after surgery. If you feel good about the medical team taking care of you it will make a huge difference in your success. Determining if you are really in need of the surgery is, unfortunately, not really your decision to make. It will be necessary, in most cases, for your PCP (primary care physician) to kick-off the process. He/she will determine if you are a candidate or stare you in the right direction. If you PCP doesn't believe in or support weight loss through surgery, you'll have a lot of work to do. It might mean changing PCP's. Bottom line is...research, research, research and find anything and everything out about the surgery that you can. Talk to MANY people who have had the surgery. Everyone has a different experience with the many facets of the process and life after surgery. I can tell you that I had the surgery on September 20th of this year. The process went VERY quickly for me. My PCP was very much in support of the surgery since I was a diabetic and experiencing complications from it. The surgery (gastric by-pass) went beautifully, I recuperated quickly, was back at the gym within 2 1/2 weeks after surgery and have very little issues. BUT, I am the exception. I have lost 35 lbs. in 8 weeks and feel wonderful. I wish you the best of luck. My personal email is [email protected]. Please feel free to email me directly for any additional support I may be able to give you. Good Luck!!!
   — johare

November 19, 2005
My first warning is that this is NOT an easy way out. You still have to work hard after the surgery, and it can be difficult eating. I suggest you research the procedures, and watch anything on television about the operation. You should also go to your insurance company's website and check their clinical policies to find out if they pay for the procedure, and what they need before they approve it. That way, if they need you to document six months of a diet and exercise program with a doctor, you will already be started while you are researching things. You also may need to be diagnosed with other comorbidities. Comorbidities are simply medical conditions that can kill you, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. These need to be documented by a doctor, along with treatments you are undergoing, such as medication or a CPAP machine. So the steps are: 1) go to your doctor (if you haven't already) and get a diet and exercise program, as well as referrals to specialists for other problems (I had to see a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, and a psychologist (for psych evaluation to see that I was a good candidate). 2) Go to your insurance co website or call them to get clinical guidelines for approval of bariatric surgery 3) Research the surgery 4) choose a surgeon and get a date. Some of this can be done concurrently. Once you have the clinical guidelines, you can go to a surgeon and get a date.
   — Novashannon

November 20, 2005
I'd say attend as many support groups as you can. Observe Dr X's patients, and Dr Y's, and Dr Z's. Who do you admire? Which surgery did they have? Which doctor? I will privately send you to a seasoned vet in your area and maybe she can help you get started.
   — vitalady

November 24, 2005
It sounds like you have already taken the first step. Just remember that surgery is a lifestyle change. If you don't embrace the concept that diet and exercise go hand in hand with a good operation you may not have as successful a result as you wish. Also, I would recommend attending education sessions hosted by the surgeon you are considering; you will thus meet patients operated on by your chosen surgeon, and get a better sense if this is the right move for you. -M.Brackman, MD
   — Dr. Brackman

November 26, 2005
1. Do your homework. You can never do enough research in your area on this as things (eg: nutrition, vitamins, supplements, surgery, etc...) can AND often do change and you want the most up-to-date AND reliable information available out there. It's your body & your life, you need to take the responsibility for finding the best surgery, surgeon and hospital that you can. I went to visit 3 surgeons before deciding on the one I finally went w/ and I started researching this about 5 yrs prior to actually having the surgery. 2. You MUST be willing to make the lifetime commitment to taking & getting ALL the proper vitamins, protein supplements, labs, etc... I can not stress enough how important it is to find informative support groups, online (yahoo has groupos that cater to protein, general and post ops a yr and older) and local. I was lucky enough to have found several people who are several years post op and are successful post-ops that offer their advice (so as not to make the same mistakes they made early on). Good Luck & feel free to contact me for more information at: [email protected]
   — MrsLindaFL1956