Help Needed-New to this!

jenjen2675 · October 16, 2007

Hi All,

I am considering having Lap Band surgery... But I am utterly confused as to how to start the process.

Can someone help?

Forestcat5 · October 16, 2007

hi jenjen 2675!

You've come to the right place to get your questions answered. Read, read, READ everything here that you can.

The first thing I suggest you do is find a Bariatric Clinic/Doctor and call them and ask for information, ask if they have a seminar you could attend, or information they could send you. Attending a seminar is an excellent place to start.

Also, you need to call your insurance company and find out if Bariatric Surgery is covered.

You can go to a thread here from your state and maybe find someone who lives nearby that could suggest Clinics or Doctors..

Best of Luck!

Forestcat

cblair6271 · October 16, 2007

I went to lapband.com and they had a step by step process. There is a part where you find a doctor in your area just type in your zipcode and go from there. When I called the Dr. they said I had to go to a seminar first, which is a month away =( Hopefully that site helps you, I know it help me to get the ball rolling.

mrspruett · October 16, 2007

Definitely begin researching doctors in your area. Get your name on some lists for seminars and go to the first one you can to get some info. You will be under no obligation just for attending an informational seminar. Call your insurance company and make sure you do not have an exclusion in your policy for weight loss surgery. If you do, that will throw a monkey wrench into the process. If you are a self-pay, it will speed up the process. If your insurance does cover surgery, there will be steps to follow. Some requirements may include psychological eval, nutritionist consult, and some insurance require a 6 month supervised diet. You will also need to involve your primary physician. They will be helpful in showing how long you have been obese and some of the problems it has caused you. They also will have records of any supervised diets or weight loss meds you have taken. I know it sounds like a lot to do but the results are worth it!