Choosing surgeons and ins requirements

[juno5 30]

I just started taking the first steps in this journey to a new me. I have some roadblocks already.

1) The surgeon at the hospital that I work at is leaving in September. The surgeon who is replacing him has been working alongside the current surgeon doing bariatric surgeries. He has experience as a surgeon but the wls are a bit newer to him. He hasn't been performing on his own yet. If I go to the hospital I work with (and my ins approved me for wls) then I have better ins coverage.

Or...I can go to the surgeon at a neighboring hospital and still be covered but not as much. More experienced there too....what should I do??!

2) my ins requires a 2 year history of documented weights/BMI. I've never been one to go to a pcp...I don't even have one. I do have a long standing history with my obgyn...(i've had 5 kids.) My last appt was in March to have my iud removed due to my concerns with the wgt gain and mood swings I had from it....prior to that was almost 2 years ago when I gave birth to baby #5. That's it. That would be all I have for medical history. How do I know of my ins will accept this? Or are they just going to say I have "baby wgt" and need to eat better and exercise? In so stressed about this. I have an appt with the hospital down the road who will cost more and ins doesn't cover as well with them...but I also am registered for the seminar at my hospital that provides my ins at the end of June...

Any advice or knowledge about the 2 year recorded weights? Or about choosing the right hospital?

I did make an appt to start seeing a pcp. They got me in for June 1st.

I want this surgery so bad. I'm 31 and I feel like I'm 60. My feet hurt like someone is crushing them all the time. I'm tired. Its depressing. I want to be able to run around with my kids and not have to tell them "later" all the time. My mom had bypass surgery 13 years ago. Obesity is very prevalent in my family as is DM2 and heart disease. I'm not on a good track right now...I need this tool to help me get where I want to be.

[_Brooke_ 45]

Hey @juno5

As far as your question about the doctor, I think it is a really good idea to go with someone you are comfortable with. If you are not comfortable with the newer doctor that is replacing the one you were originally going to go with, then you should pick a different doctor. I personally would not want to have to worry about my doctor on top of all the other stuff you have to do.To me though a newer doctor doesn't mean he is any less qualified. Also, he might be even more careful than a doctor that has been doing them for years. Thats just my opinion though. You should definitely do what makes you feel comfortable.

Now whethere your ob/gyn counts toward documented weight gain or just being obese as a whole my insurance did NOT say it had to be a pcp. So if your insurance does not say specifically pcp and it says something like physician documented or must be in medical records then any doctor will do. I am personally using my ob/gyn's weight and height to submit as proof. Something else to check for is if your insurance allows.... If say you don't go to a doctor in a 1 year time span and you have a picture of yourself during that time that shows your overweight AND you get your current pcp to sign off saying yes she was obese then with a date. My insurance will accept the picture. But that is my particular insurance I would suggest getting your policy and looking at it.

If you have any more questions or something just let me know. I am no expert by any means, but I might can help.

[juno5 30]

I have made the decision to stick with my hospital that I work at because IF I am approved my ins will cover 100% after deductible. I know the surgeon...he is just newer to bariatric surgeries than the hospital down the street.

If I'm not approved I will reapply of whatever it is called. I will do that twice. After that....I will look into going to Mexico. I've started researching that option. I'm too impatient...my husband says to wait and see after we go to the first seminar. Which is all the way at the end of June! Have to learn to be patient....thank you @cbradshawe10