Where do I go?

So I got over the insurance thing. I had Gestational Diabetes with both girls, lots of joint pain and a slight urinary issue since I've had my last child that may help with the comorbidity thing. I'm sure I'm prediabetic in some fashion and with my sleep disorder...who knows? Maybe sleep apnea can be part of it too.

I got the packet from my husband and the surgeon most recommended is Scottsdale Bariatric Group. However, looking over their stuff has me somewhat depressed. It seems they want you to do everything outside of their office and just give them all the completed paperwork to submit to insurance. I'll be honest. I'm kind of a baby when it comes to this kind of thing. I want someone to hold my hand and tell me everything I need to do. With this place, you have to have your 6 month diet completed (or you can do their program for $750 which to say the least might as well be a million right now) and all your comorbidity testing stuff done before your initial consult. You also already have to have a letter of medical necessity from your pcp. I thought the surgeon's office did most of this stuff?!?! I don't know...it seems with this place, while highly recommended, you're just another number. So I'm in search of another office to look into as well. Thanks to an anonymous post from my local area here in AZ...I'm going to start with WLIAZ and see how we feel about that.

The issue of cost has also come up. Without going into too much detail, my family's financial situation is rocky, at best. This is why it's so important for insurance to cover the surgery. I can handle copays and stuff (as long as it's not due all at once) but these program fees I'm seeing are crazy. The one I looked at last night has a $350 fee just for the initial consultation and another $350 for a psych eval. Another place I looked into last year, True Results, wanted $1000 program fee PER PERSON (my husband is getting the band too) due up front "in case we go through all this and the insurance doesn't give approval." I'm sorry but that's a lot of money for us and we just don't have that kind of cash.

I've decided to start the 6 month diet with my pcp because that's probably cheaper and that way I'm not wasting any more time than I have to. And if he wants to write a letter of medical necessity for me too (and he better), then that'd be great but no rush on that since I've got six months since I need to submit to the insurance anyway.

So that's where I'm at with everything. Got some researchin' to do today. Special thanks to Dash for following along with my blog! I've been checking yours out..I think I'm up to May. LOL. You're doing fantastic!