settebee

Thanks guys for the great feedback! :Dancing_biggrin:

Thanks to all of you for your support and advise!! I go in Monday the 7th, for my first appointment!! I'm kind of nervous, but recently my fiance and are planning for our beach wedding next year, so I'm keeping my mind busy with that! :biggrin: I'll keep everyone posted!

I'm new to Nashville, Tn; we moved from Texas, so I of course had to switch doctors! Well I finally talked to my new PCP about having weight loss surgery and asked for a letter of recommendation. Guess what he did! He stuck his nose up at me and was like, "diet and exercise!" and excused himself! What nerve!! Anyway! I contacted my old PCP and he pretty much told me I'd have to come in and see him b4 anything. That's kind of hard bc I'm 14 hrs away! So I don't know what to do. I have to have a letter of recommendation from a doctor in order for my insurance to approve me! I do have an appointment with the surgeon June 7th. If I talked to him, could he do it for me since I'm actually through him, not my PCP? Thanks for listening to my rant! :thumbup: Any advise given in this matter is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

Thanks! I actually work in Smyrna, so I might give Dr. Cindi Jones Woods a call! I'm going with Dr. Morton. I haven't visited with him yet, but everyone says he's great! *crosses fingers* Thanks again for the doctor refernce! I'll need to give her a call Monday and set up an appointment! :)Hmm.. What kind of appointment should I set? Just say I want to set up an appointment to talk to the doctor about WLS?? Eck! Ha! I wish I wasn't so afraid of the big bad wolf doctors!! It was hard enough to ask my former PCP now I have to explain it to another doctor. Boo!

Thanks you guys for all your support!!

Hey Betsy! Yeah, one of my requirements is a letter of recommendation from my PCP. So I don't know what I'm going to do if I can't get it from my PCP or surgeon! :/ Did you have to submit a 2 year history of medical records?

Hi all!I am currently going through a three month preparation for the Band with Aetna! I am super excited and a little nervous! Has any gone through the process it? What was the whole process like? Thanks in advance. :smile2:

Wow! Sweet, simply and easy! Thanks!! I don't know if I have to have a sleep study. No one said anything to me about, and it's not in my paperwork. I hope I don't bc they seem no fun. I went in May 5th and talked to the insurance specialist and 30 minutes after I left she emailed me my 2 appointments. Each appointment I see the dr, fitness guy and nutritionist, so I'm guessing I'll find out more after my first appointment. Thanks again for the insight! :ohmy:

Thank you for the insight and the part about the nutrition lady made me giggle!!

Try getting a second opinion or select a different doctor?

Hi all! June 7th is coming up quick! I am schedule to have my first visit with the surgeon, nutritionist, and fitness counselor! Ahh! Can anyone shed some light and tell me what there visit was like. Does the doctor just talk to you or is there blood work involved too?? I'm not to worry about the nutritionist or fitness counselor! Ha! Doctors scare me! Any advice would be helpful! Thanks in advance! :biggrin:

Thanks everyone!! All of the information you guys have given has been very helpful and helped me to be comfortable about the whole process! It's hard doing this process by yourself. My husband is here for support, but doesn't know the first thing about any of this. Thank you again!

Hi all! June 7th is coming up quick! I am schedule to have my first visit with the surgeon, nutritionist, and fitness counselor! Ahh! Can anyone shed some light and tell me what there visit was like. Does the doctor just talk to you or is there blood work involved too?? I'm not to worry about the nutritionist or fitness counselor! Ha! Doctors scare me! Any advice would be helpful! Thanks in advance! :biggrin:

Thanks so much! That makes me feel much better!! Are going through the three month program as well? How long was your appointment?

Thanks for the insight. :biggrin: I'm actually going through a three month prep with the surgeon's office. I only see the dr twice b4 surgery, so that's why I'm curious to see what the visits will be like.

McPhatterton: Hi! I am new to all this jazz as well, but I can try to shed some light to your questions. I too had the same questions! What do I do? Do I have to wait 6 months, etc? I am actually currently doing a 3 month preparation for the Lap Band or Vertical Sleeve (I haven't yet decided.). I am set up with Dr. Morton's office at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, TN. I literally walked in to get information about the Lap Band. They had me fill out a little packet and got a copy of my insurance card and drivers license. Not five minutes after I filled out my packet the insurance specialist, Tina, came out, weighed me, got my BMI, and then told me what my insurance covered. She then told me if I could do a 6 month "course" with my PCP or I could go through them at 3 months. I don't have a current PCP here due to the fact I just moved here, so I am going through them. I am on a strict 3 month time line. Each month I have to do certain things. For example, between May and June I have to go to a support group, visit the fitness guy, a nutritionist and the doctor all in one visit, and have a psyche evaluation. The three month prep is outlined through my insurance company, Aetna, so it could be different for other insurance companies. Anyway, I'm getting off track. :biggrin: From what I understand is after my last visit in August with the surgeon, nutritionist and fitness guy again the insurance specialist, Tina, submits all my information to my insurance and then they give there approval and surgery is schedule. I hope this kind of helps and doesn't confuse you! I would look in to researching Lap Band surgeons in you area and ask to set up a consultation to see what they offer. Good luck! If you have any questions you email me anytime: setteb2001@aol.com. Good luck!!

Hey guys! I have a concern: I understand that the insurance company, Aetna, requires 2 yrs of documentation of my weight and such. The last time I've been to the doctor was 07 and 08 when I was pregnant. Would that work? I also have documentation from my personal trainer with my weight, measurements and BMI from 09. Would that documentation work??

I am currently going thru a 3 month surgery preparatory program with Aetna. I am suppose to attend 2 support groups one in June and the other in August. I "cheated" and went to one this pass Tuesday and plan on going to one next Tuesday! Am I getting to ahead of myself? I just don't want to loose focus or worse procrastinate! I also plan on getting my psych eval done next week and calling for all my medical records and letter of recommendation tomorrow. Wow, my ADD is showing!! Lol Stop me if I'm doing it too fast!

Thanks for the insight making.a.change! :smile2:

Thank you so much! That makes me feel so much better! I did plan on writing a letter explaining my weight loss attempts. :smile2: Unfortunatly, I just don't have a medical paper trail. For a curvy girl, I am active and rarely get sick. I never had any reason for doctor visits. :smile: One other question, how did you go about getting your letter of recommendation? Thanks for your help!