So You Want to Pursue Weight Loss Surgery

You've decided you want to have weight loss surgery. By now you have thoroughly researched the weight loss surgery options and attended a surgical seminar. You've gotten professional advice about which weight loss surgery will work best for you. What's next?

Call the Surgeon's Office
Each surgeon has a procedure to follow to qualify for weight loss surgery. Once you inform the office that you want to pursue surgery, they will guide you through the process. It will likely include the following steps.

Have a Psychiatric Evaluation
The surgeon will have a list of referrals you can call to have this done. A reputable surgeon wants to be sure that you are mentally ready and well-informed about the decision to have weight loss surgery. You will be screened for emotional problems, eating disorders and other factors like use of alcohol and lifestyle considerations. It is important that you have a realistic view of what weight loss surgery can accomplish and what your responsibilities will be. Lifetime compliance with the consequences of weight loss surgery - like nutrition and supplements - are mandatory.

Meet with a Nutritionist
You may receive a referral to a nutritionist since weight loss surgery patients have specific nutritional needs. You will also be advised as to how best to prepare yourself nutritionally prior to surgery. The nutritionist will evaluate you and send the results back to the surgeon's office.

Submit Request for Surgery to Insurance Provider
Once you've completed all the evaluations and necessary paperwork, the surgeon's office will submit your packet to the insurance company for review. There is usually one person on the surgeon's staff who specializes in the insurance issues and they can let you know what to expect. The insurance company will go over your submission and request for weight loss surgery in the next few days or weeks and return a reply to the surgeon's office as to whether you have been approved or denied. You will then be notified of the decision.

Take Advantage of the Online Community
Countless people are somewhere in the process of having weight loss surgery and the best way to make contact with them is online. Find a forum dedicated to the type of weight loss surgery you have chosen to have and join in. There is invaluable support from others who are experiencing what you are and you'll be able to address all your concerns with them. One place to start is obesityhelp.com.

During this process you will have a lot of time to think and to question yourself. To say that weight loss surgery is a big decision is an understatement. Be prepared for a lot of conflicting advice from your friends and family. Some will be frightened for you and will have uninformed opinions of what weight loss surgery involves. Many will be supportive, others may be opposed. Your informed decision to pursue weight loss surgery will give you the confidence to proceed.

sources
ObesityHelp.com: Making the Journey Together
Matthew Hoffman, MD, "What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?", WebMD.com