Question:
How do I get started for WLS?

I am thinking very seriously about surgery and I am wondering where do I start? What do I do first?    — Brandy H. (posted on May 10, 2004)

May 10, 2004
starting off right is very important. the first thing you should do is to find out if your insurance covers wls and what the requirements are. most times if you call them, they will tell you that they cover it if it is medically nessasary, but the problem is that you NEED to know what your insurance thinks is medically nessasary. alot of insurers now have places online were you can see the handbook online or you can call them and ask for a booklet. after you get this information and you think that you qualify make an appointment with your doctor. some insurers make you see a primary care doctor for a referal, but you can call your insurance company and ask them how to set up an appointment. when you go to this appointment i think it is very helpful to take a copy of your insurance (printout/booklet)that covers wls so that your doctor can make sure all info that needs to be in the paperwork is in there and worded correctly. also take along any diet history and medical problems (rashes, sleep apena, diabetes ect..)you have with you would be helpful. making sure things are sent in from you doctor to the insurance correctly the first time is very important. i have seen people who should have been covered and met the requirements but did get approved because of incorrect information being sent to the doctor. going thur appeals isn't fun or easy. i wish you the best. wls has been the best thing i have ever done for myself. ps. you can also look up a list of insurers in your states and find yours to see what others had to do to get approved.
   — franbvan

May 10, 2004
Make sure you research the surgeon. Don't just go with the one who is closest to you. I almost did that and I found out that He had a pretty high complication rate and had several deaths. I am still pre - op, but I have heard nothing but excellent comments about my surgeon. Good luck!
   — jennifer S.

May 10, 2004
First look for a doctor and find out all you can about him look him up on here to see if anyone else had him talk to me find out if that doctor does open or lapro. Then go to a sapport group meeting ask questions put them on a list for yourself before going then start by seeing the doctor
   — Rosemary L.

May 10, 2004
After I had researched this surgery and decided I was serious about it, I made an appt with a couple of surgeons in my area, and went to talk to/interview them. Most surgeons also have support groups where you can meet their post-ops and ask tons of question about the doctor, their support staff, pre-and post op care program etc. I also did research on the surgeon I chose, through this web site and with the State Board, reference their licensing. Is your surgeon a member or an associate member of the American Bariatric Association? You can ask your surgeon if your particular type of insurance covers this surgery. They have alot of experience with the different insurance programs in the State and will know which cover it. I also met with my PCP. Although my insurance did not require PCP approval, I wanted to keep my primary care doctor in the loop, from start to finish as eventually you leave your surgeons aftercare and go back to your PCP. And finally there are several good books out now about WLS that can walk you thru the entire decision making process from start to finish, and for many months or years after. The STORE link above should provide you with some resources. I read both Carney Wilson's book and Barb Thompsons book before I had surgery. Helped enormously.
   — Cindy R.

May 17, 2004
Along with whatvthe others have said about researching your surgeon, thee is a part on this site that has testimonials about different surgeons,dieticians,psych Dr's,(and I also added good comments on my cardiologist, sleep apnea Dr, and ENT Dr, since they were the greatest, and sonmebody else might need to use them one day). You can check out several surgeons in your area this way too, to see whta others have said about surgeons in your area. Also when you send in to req WLS, write your own letter (Sharon Brittain has an excellent one on one of her sites here and she doesn't mind sharing that has helped 100's get aproved on - she shows you how to write a family history, and has a long co-morb list that you can use. I thought I only had about 12 co-morbs, but after using her list had over 50. Also Rona Scott has written an invaluable piece (in the library) on costs of morbid obesity and how surgery helps eliminate health problems after surgery. After I typed it out it was 6 pages long. I think this really was helpful in getting me approved too. Several people on here have told how to make a diet history, of which I made mine go all the way back to my 1st diet when I was about 11-12. I have been on all kinds of diets all my life. And last btu not least, take pictures that show how big you are, and write on them how your life has been compromised by the weight. EX: I had pictures taken on a dolphing cruise where I could only sit on the ! bench in the back of the boat. All the chairs were the plastic lawn chairs and were al way too small. This was embarrassing and a downer to say the least. (I am glad them days are over!!!) Good Luck in getting approved. Becky Open RNY 1/30/04 352/284/150
   — bufordslipstick