Many patients who come to the deep conviction that bariatric surgery is right for them feel a sense of pressure to do the surgery immediately. You’ve struggled for years against your weight, and there is an understandable sense of urgency at this point. It can be frustrating to wait for weeks or months while education and medical preparation are underway. But it must be remembered that surgery is not an emergency. Surgery must be considered carefully and everything possible should be done for mental preparation and risk minimization before and at the time of surgery. With this in mind, there are several ways that frustrated energy can be put to good use while awaiting insurance approval.
We strongly encourage your primary care physician to participate in the decision-making and preparation process leading to Weight Loss Surgery. If you don’t have a primary care physician, you may request a list of physicians with whom we frequently work.
Read this website thoroughly, and get involved in one or more online support groups. Visit other online sites and gain a broad perspective on bariatric surgery. Also get involved with a Support Group. By taking this action, you can come to your initial evaluation as a well-informed patient, who will not be surprised by the tradeoffs or risks that will be discussed between you and your surgeon.
A patient can reduce his or her risk by being in the best possible shape at the time of operation. In particular, if you smoke - stop! It is also helpful to lose weight - even if just a few pounds, and to exercise before surgery. These actions will improve your operative risk and put you on the right track for the habits you should acquire after surgery.
Your primary care physician may be as frustrated about your weight problem as you are - and also very helpful in preparing you for surgery as a potential cure. Work with your physician on a thorough medical evaluation and undergo any and all routine health maintenance such as Pap smear, mammogram and colonoscopy. Have your thyroid function evaluated, and if you have any suggestive symptoms such as snoring, you should be evaluated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is the most common missed diagnosis in our patients. We do not routinely require cardiac testing before surgery, though we generally defer to the primary care physician in this area. We will also require a psychological or psychiatric evaluation prior to surgery, mainly for the purpose of establishing an easy pathway for post-operative support. Please hand-carry copies of any medical reports or office notes, and bring them with you at the time of your initial surgeon evaluation.
Learn about what your heath insurance company will require in order to "cover" surgery in your case. You may be able to have your primary physician write a letter of support to the health insurance company in favor of surgery, which is very helpful. A letter from your primary MD should include:
This can be done before you meet the surgeon, and it is very helpful since the insurance approval is usually the "rate limiting step" when waiting for a surgery date. Even if you are not able to obtain pre-authorization for surgery, do identify what your insurance company’s diet requirements are for approval of bariatric surgery.
NOTE: Don’t quit if your health insurer says WLS is not covered. That may or may not be correct.
