New to All of this except the weight

Hi..This is my first post after just discovering this wonderful website. I am 41..have one child and are very interested in finding out if I qualify for one of the laproscopic procedures. Can anyone give me any advice on where to begin. Do you need to see a primary care person first or is that depending on your insurance? I am 5'6" and at about 250lbs. I have tried every diet known to god and man...and feel like I am going to be swallowed by depression as I get bigger and bigger. Thanks for any help.

Here in the Memphis, Tennessee area, there are a couple of surgery for weight loss programs offered through the various hospitals. I contacted the bariatric center for weight loss at one of the hospitals and they sent me a packet with all the information in it. After receiving the packet, a referral from my general practitioner to begin the process was required. One thing to look for besides a competent surgeon is a program that offers nutritional education and support. The program I went with has a nutritionist that worked with me throughout the process. I can even call her now, 18 months out, if I have any questions. I am 5'6" and weighed 256 at the time of surgery. The only co-morbitities I had were that my blood pressure was beginning to get high and my triglycerides registered at almost 500. To qualify for the surgery, my health insurance (federal employee blue cross/blue shield) required that I be at least 100 pounds overweight. Hope this helps. Like you, I tried just about every diet known to man. I could lose the weight.... I just couldn't keep it off. This is the best thing I've ever done for myself! Wishing you the best..... Wanda

Hi A.C. ! I would recommend you check the boards in Md - you can actually pull up your state (here on OH) and begin with recent surgery patients- and see who has had either the gastric buypass or the lap band- whichever you are doing. If that surgeon has a website- check that out too and see if you can contact some of his patients by email . If there is a few surgeons- round it ff to 2 and cntact them both and ask them if you need a referral from your PCP in order to see them for a consult. Many surgeons also have "open forums" 1-2x a month- where they want you to come and hear their presentaton on the surgery and usually book a consult after that. I also recommend you try to find out in advance if your insurance covers the type of surgery you are seeking. A good surgeon's office knows what insurance covers what procedure and usually how long it takes for approval . Of course each ins. company IS different- but many like Aetna, and I think BCBS, are requiring a 6 month physician weigh in- regardless of how many other medical plans a patient has tried. That is where I would start, and what I have done. I spoke with 3 different surgeons offices before I settled upon my Dr- and I could NOT be happier with my results.. I am post op 2 weeks and thrilled to be without any complications. Good luck to you! Donna

A.C. Hi! I'm new here to. I'd heard about this wonderful place before surgery but never seem to find the time to get here. Now with being off work, I have more than enough time. I am 47 at 5'6'' and I weighed 250. But I also was on diabetes medication, hypertension medication and cholesterol meds. I have been lucky I guess. I had no problem getting approved by my insurance. I did not at first contact my primary care physician, but later asked him for doctors names. I believe you should talk to more than one bariatic surgeon. The doctor I had do my surgery was the second doctor that I spoke with. You will know when you find the right doctor. I felt a connection with him that I did not feel with the first doctor. Your insurance may make you go through your primary care physician first. He should be aware of the surgery. Just a little over 2 weeks out and I have lost 20 pounds and some inches. I am at the moment off my diabetes and hypertension medication and have a blood test done in another week to see if I can quit taking the cholesterol meds. Its not been an easy time, nothing I can't handle but I do still crave foods. You do have to have willpower. I've heard that the first two months can be difficult. I just keep telling myself to hang in there and things will definitely get better. Keep in touch with others that have had the surgery. Good luck on your quest and I hope everything is successful. God Bless, Kitty