What are the steps you have to take before surgery?

[Minniemouse 0]

I am going to my doctor on Friday to try to set up the surgery. What are the steps I will have to go through before I can get the surgery and how long does it take?

[lapbandtalker 0]

Hi and welcome! I wondered the same thing and I was scared that it was going to be a long and drawn out process.

By the time someone makes the decision for WLS, the last thing they want are more delays....haven't we delayed it enough with the years of diets, programs, pills, etc.

First, make sure this is what you want.

Next, find an excellent doctor, a skilled surgeon.

Then that doc will have a checklist of things for you to do. Every doc is different but it will generally be:

thorough examination

blood work

further exams by cardio and psych - to make sure nothing is left uncovered

ensuring you understand all the risks and costs - not just money but changing your lifestyle

Then set a date for surgery.

So really, your doctor is your only step. If you are going to use insurance or something there will be more- check out the thread for insurance.

Good luck and come back to let us know how things are going.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

This actually depends on your insurance requirements (does it even cover lap band) and then what your surgeon may require. For example I did not need a cardio exam although I did get an ecg. Don't pick a surgeon until you find out if insurance covers it and if so, who is on your "list"....my PCP sent me to a group that my insurance didn't cover! It worked out well though; I love my doc...but start with insurance and proceed from there. I didn't even need my primary to recommend the surgery.

And while Lapbandtalker gave good advice too, I don't think you can be sure this is what you want until you've researched it some, and that, to me, includes the informative seminar that your surgeon holds. I was already "into" the process when I attended that. Had I not liked him and what he had to say I would've stopped it. You can change your mind up to the time just before they roll you in to surgery. It is a big change and you have to educate yourself before you make it. At any point in the process you may decide against it. Many of us don't, but some of us do!

Edited April 20, 2009 by RestlessMonkey

[zukagirl22 1]

i signed up for a seminar. i just googled lap band surgery and san antonio tx and found one. at the seminar i gave them a copy of my insurance card and set up my first appt. with the doctor. first available appt was 2 weeks later. in the mean time the patient advocate contacted my insurance to see if it was covered and what steps were needed by the insurance. i needed a 3 month suprevised diet with no weight loss needed. i also needed a psych test and a swallow study done under furoscope. I first attened my seminar in march. surgery done in august. it can be a long process. many insurance companies require a 6 month supervised diet and some even want you to loose 10% of your body fat. It can be a long process but first you need to attend a few seminars. then they are usually more than happy to call the insurance company to find out if your insurance covers weigh loss surgery or what they require to have the surgery covered.

hope this helps

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

In addition to whatever testing, etc. your surgeon may require, each insurance company is different in its requirements. They may require nutritionist visit(s), psych. evaluation, monitored diet for 3 or even 6 months, a letter from you about why you want the surgery, a letter of recommendation from your PCP regarding medical necessity. Look to your surgeon's front desk people to guide you but don't be the least bit hesitant to call your insurance company your self and ask what they require. You may be able to go ahead and start on some of it.

[circa 0]

It varies based on insurance provider and even surgery center. This is my second go-round with this and its so much easier this time around. I have to jump through a few hoops with priority health, but none that are on FIRE like they were with Aetna The surgery center in some ways was easier to deal with in Dallas - just because they're bigger. Here, not so much - but they're very very nice.

[reneek 1]

I know what you mean about having to wait so long for something you want so bad. I have Highmark BC/BS of Pa and this is what i had to do

Month 1 Seminar and appointment with PCP

Month 2 Appointment with PCP

Month 3 Appointment with PCP

Month 4 Appointment with PCP

Month 5 Appointment With PCP

Appointment with Surgeon

consult with Nutritionist

exercise consult

psych consult

Month 6 Appointment with PCP

Wait for Approval

month 7 2 week Prop Appointment

surgery

So when it is all said and done it is about 7 months and that even depends on how backed up your surgeon is. Even if you have approval you may have to wait to be scheduled for surgery.

It is such a long process but i know it will be be worth it in the end. I guess when you have tryed eveything the long wait doesn't seem like so long.

Edited April 21, 2009 by reneek