Question:
Please help, I need to know who should I tell to get a WLS started?

   — Kimberly30 (posted on May 21, 2007)

May 21, 2007
Im a bit confused. is it you who would like to have the wls? if so then i would start with your family doctor if you do not have a family doctor then i would start with the database for wl surgeons in your state and see what they are needing you to do. if you are asking if you should tell someone else they need it, then im sorry but i can not help you there. and im sorry if i read that wrong to if thats not what you were meaning Take care God bless you Paula
   — japaad

May 22, 2007
Hi Kim, welcome to the research for wls. There is so much to consider with such a big question. When I started my journey, I called my local hosptial to ask how long it takes to get an appt with a surgeon. For me it was 9 months to a year at the time. They said you have to attend an informational meeting at least once anyway, so I went to the first meeting. Then I saw my PCM and asked for a referral, put myself on the waiting list to get an appt and began my research. I read books (you can search weight loss surgery on amazon.com). I bought one book from a physicans pt of view and one from a personal experience. I enjoyed learning from both. I went to every informational meeting before I saw a surgeon and some support groups. The information was the same, but the questions were always different. I learned something every month by the questions that many people asked. I went 9 times to these meetings, and it was very valuable. Do you have insurance? You can contact them and see what or if they cover and have requirements and what they are. Then I got pro active with my history. Got tests that I would need for my first appt and took a sleep apnea test to prove I didn't have it. Wrote out all the diets I did in the prior two years to my visit with my surgeon, and got some "supervised" weight loss support while I waited to see my surgeon to prove that I wasn't just sitting around trying to gain weight. I requested a copies of the prior two years of my medical records for the surgeon to have, and put together a binder with all my tests, information and copies of stuff. When I saw the surgeon for the first time, I gave them a ton of information about myself. I only needed a chest x ray and an upper gi test and then waited for approval. Being pro active will help you. We can give guidance here on how to get started, but the work is up to you. The more pro active you are, the more you can accomplish and prepare to decide whether or not this will work for you. Take care and best to you. Don't forget to keep your notes on your profile. You won't lose them that way, and it helps others see what a journey is like. Feel free to look over my profile, it may or may not help you. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

May 22, 2007
I first checked with my insurance to make sure they cover wls. Then I went to my primary doctor and discuss with her about having wls. She referred me to wls doctor.
   — barfiep01

May 22, 2007
If you have insurance, find out what is required by them and go from there. Most insurances are now requiring 6 month weight loss program supervised by your physician. Start there, that will give you an idea of what is required of you and from your physicians. Good luck
   — the7thdean