Start by talking to your primary physician/family doctor. The first thing I did was call and schedule to go to a seminar, but then just happened to have a doctor appt and mentioned to him that I was going to the seminar. He told me not to go and referred me to a different place that is works with my insurance company. It has taken me 6 months to do all the appts and stuff required for surgery, but I am approved and ready to get banded on July 23. Thanks to my regular doctor, everything has gone smoothly!