your VERY first steps

[BigThunder 1]

When deciding on pursuing LapBand surgeory what was the necessary steps in order to start the process. I am stuck and need :help: i was given teh number to a doctor and was disappointed to find that the doctor who i thought would be doing lapband was just a regular family doctor now i am looking on google and here for doctors in oklahoma without sucess. I know of this girl at work who sits next to me who had lapband not even 2 weeks ago by a doctor i think ill talk to her and get his name. but what was YOUR first steps

[BigThunder 1]

good idea ok that is my first step ty

[faithmd 14]

Go to the Allergan site, they have a list of doctors that you can look up by location. www.lapband.com

I called my insurance company and:

1) made sure they cover the band

2) asked what the requirements were and had them fully explained to me

3) got a person at the insurance compnay who will be my "complex case manager" that I can call and ask questions of anytime I need to

4) asked for all of those insurance requirements to be sent to me so that I have them in writing.

4a) got together with my PCP and made sure all the ducks were in a row

5) asked the insurance company what surgeons they would pay for me to see-got that in writing too

6) compared the insurance list to the Allergan list

7) picked a couple and called and started asking questions and signing up for information sessions

8) attended an information session

9) made an appointment with the surgeon for a pre-op consult

10) made an appointment for the psych consult, got that done

Now I'm waiting to see the surgeon on the 27th.