When did you meet/select your surgeon?

[ILKrista 36]

A few weeks ago I met with my PCP about having the band. She agreed and said I should start seeing a nutritionist and psychologist, as this, along with a 6 month supervised diet would be required. I guess I'm confused because she makes it sound like I do all of this for 6 months and then after that I find a surgeon to do the band. But from what I've read in other posts, it sounds like others have met with the surgeon before ever doing the 6 month diet, psych eval, etc. When did everyone else meet with their surgeon? Just trying to figure this whole thing out...

Thanks!

[spoiltmom 44]

Well my insurance doesn't require a referral so I selected my surgeon and started their. They called my insurance and found that my insurance did not require a 6 month diet. So after that I did the nutritionist visit and psych consult and that was all I needed.

[Awakening Chrissy 0]

Well my insurance doesn't require a referral so I selected my surgeon and started their. They called my insurance and found that my insurance did not require a 6 month diet. So after that I did the nutritionist visit and psych consult and that was all I needed.

Wow that was fast. I called 2 surgeons one told me I did need a referral and the other didn't call me back. I went to my doctor and she gave me a referral to one of the surgeons. That one called me and gave me an appointment for a whole month from now just to have my first question and answer session. The other doctors office called me back after the fact and were ready to ask the questions over the phone. I don't need a referral either. I think a month just to meet me is tooo long. I am thinking about calling the other girl back and answering her questions.

[Awakening Chrissy 0]

I have a bmi of 47, but no heath issues other than the weight pain and shortness of breath. Does anyone think that will give me problems. I have no documented weight loss programs. I have BCBS of CT

[msdv 5]

It's not the Surgeons call it's your insurance so call them and see if they require you to have 6 month med. supervised diet.

If not you don't have to worry about that at all. I have BC/BS of NY and they required it.

You can do that with your PCP (I did) or sometimes the surgeon has a Dr. they can refer you to.

If in the last couple of years or so you've been to a Dr and he has recorded your weight or you've been on a diet that can document you for 6 consecutive months they may accept that too.

Oh and a BMI of 47 is very high . That's considered extremely obese. That is my BMI and I was approved.

I wish you well.

Edited July 29, 2010 by msdv

[Awakening Chrissy 0]

It's not the Surgeons call it's your insurance so call them and see if they require you to have 6 month med. supervised diet.

If not you don't have to worry about that at all. I have BC/BS of NY and they required it.

You can do that with your PCP (I did) or sometimes the surgeon has a Dr. they can refer you to.

If in the last couple of years or so you've been to a Dr and he has recorded your weight or you've been on a diet that can document you for 6 consecutive months they may accept that too.

Oh and a BMI of 47 is very high . That's considered extremely obese. That is my BMI and I was approved.

I wish you well.

Thanks so much for your reply. Great info. I will call my insurance tomorrow and ask them. I was waiting till I could afford to do it and now I found out that insurance will pay. I feel like I wasted years waiting.

May your journey take you where you want to go! Happy and Healthy!

[msdv 5]

Thanks so much for your reply. Great info. I will call my insurance tomorrow and ask them. I was waiting till I could afford to do it and now I found out that insurance will pay. I feel like I wasted years waiting.

May your journey take you where you want to go! Happy and Healthy!

No problem. I have been researching so long and going through so much I almost feel like an expert.

I feel like I've wasted years too. I wish I had known of this years ago or at least started 3 years ago when my PCP first recommended it instead of thinking I could do this on my own.

We'll get there . Let us know what your insurance says.

[lillyegg 3]

You can also search in your area for a seminar. I went to a couple before I decided for certain that this was what I wanted to do. There was a lot of information in the packet and at the seminar, but I have really learned more here than anywhere else.

I made an appointment with the surgeon the day after my first seminar, but could only get it for a month later. In that month, I checked things out with insurance and documented their requirements, got my PCP to write a recommendation letter and do a recent physical and bloodwork, and talked to their psychiatrist. It made me feel prepared when I finally met the surgeon.

Just got my date. Sept. 13

I see from reading this site obsessively that there are different paths for everyone. Good luck sorting yours out.

[ILKrista 36]

The seminars were a great suggestion. Thanks! Hopefully that will help me feel more comfortable with everything.

[nsklors 0]

I went to a seminar at the hospital where the surgery is performed. The 2 surgeons both talked there and gave a little background on themselves. After the seminar you could go and make your first appointments, which for me were meeting with a nurse and meeting with a dietition. When I met with the nurse, she made an appointment for me to meet with the surgeon. I met him and he went through everything that would happen. I still have 4 months of dietition appointments required by insurance, but I have already met my surgeon.