Question:
what is the first step to get WLS?

Im am kind of confused on where to start and what to do to get things going. I have done extensive research on Bariatric Surgery and have been to a class on the subject now I am ready to take the next step. can you help me please?    — Patricia W. (posted on June 24, 2004)

June 24, 2004
Well, first you want to decide which type of WLS you want...RNY, DS, Lapband, VBG? Then you should chose a surgeon in your insurance network who does that particular surgery. You can do the research on here and read the patient's reviews. Now, if you have an HMO, you'll have to talk your PCP into giving you a referral (which hopefully won't be too difficult), and since most PCP's don't know bariatric surgeons, you can then tell him/her who your surgeon of choice is. If you don't need a referral for a specialist, you can call the surgeon's office and make the appointment yourself. Once you're in contact with the surgeon's office, they will tell you the procedure, and they will submit to insurance. Congratulations on this life-changing decision! Good luck! Leslie open RNY 8/99
   — Leslie F.

June 24, 2004
My insurance does not require my dr.s permition i just went to a surgen who is ecctepted by my insrance and they put me through all the tests and i never was involved with the aproval part and when they got aproved they set me up an apoint ment and i had the surgrey and it cost 25 dollars about the insurance.
   — cheryl D.

June 25, 2004
Contact your PCP and tell him/her what you want to do. Ask them for a referral for a surgeon who performs the type of WLS you are interested in. IF for some reason your insurance shows an exclusion of WLS or it is not covered, etc, DO NOT GIVE UP. Contact www.obesitylaw.com and speak with Kelly BRown. GO to the website and read about them. I am located in Connecticut they are in California and they helped me get approval and it didn't cost me a dime, Kelly gave me advice on how to handle my denial and she told me if it didn't work, call her...it worked and her advice was priceless. Good Luck to you and don't give up if this is what you want to do! Sherry
   — sac287