Welcome to our group Heather! :drinker:
My surgeon, in southern Maine, performed only the RNY or LapBand so I knew, with the amount of weight I wanted gone, I'd would go with the RNY.
My very first visit required a 'sponsor' to go with me - someone (friend or family) who I could lean on for support as I went through the the initial steps to surgery. I was weighed and given the stern talk on 'this is not a joke or an easy fix' lecture.
My surgeon spelled out the steps to the surgery -
1. lose 30lbs,
2. see a nutritionist twice a month,
3. hook up with MyFitnessPal and log in all my foods and exercise and be prepared to show it to the nutritionist during the apt.
4. Attend at least 3 'group' surgical outreach sessions with all the pre-surgical candidates and those who had the surgery.
5. My last visit would be with the psychologist, who would talk to me about my reasons for surgery and my plans to keep off the weight - basically if I was a credible candidate for the surgery and would most likely be successful.
Took me from August 27,2011 until approval on December 14 to complete the pre-surgical requirements. My surgery was 1/17/2012.

My insurance only required that I have one life threatening ailment to qualify - it was sleep apea. I was cleared for surgery long before that January surgery date.

Mine went like this: In August of 2011 I went to a seminar in Houston--the first step.
Next I was required to do 6 months (6 appointments) with their dietitian to learn about healthy eating--which I already knew as I was a nutrition major in college. Needless to say, I didn't follow what I knew or I wouldn't have been in the shape I was in!
Next I had to do a consult with their psychologist.
Once this was done, I had to have a naso-gastric test done to test for bacteria in the stomach.
Then the preop.
I then purchased my supplies--Bariatric Advantage shakes and supplements required for pre op and post op diet, as well as the Isopure clear, diet jellos, broths, etc.
After all of this, I was denied by insurance company 3 times--errors in paperwork, things not properly submitted, etc. Most of the errors were on my endocrinologist's part, not my surgeon's.
I thought I wasn't going to have the surgery--which was RNY, by the way. I had a choice of the sleeve also, but due to my type I diabetes and other intestinal issues we felt that the RNY would serve me best.
I was finally approved and had my surgery on 9/27/12--a little more than a year after the process began.
I LOVE my surgeon and his entire staff. I have had no problems since my surgery at all. My blood levels are perfect, I don't "dump," I've never vomited once. My medications are either gone, or reduced to almost nothing. As a type I diabetic, I will always be on insulin and a kidney disease preventative, but other than that I am clear of all meds. No CPAP, no asthma, no problems at all. I would choose RNY again in a heartbeat. Oh, I hit normal BMI 8 months after surgery and am in the low to mid range of normal now, holding steady for several months. Good luck with your process and whatever you decide!

Thank you!! I didn't have a PCP either so I scheduled an appointment for a health physical at a local physician group. Then told them I was going to be getting it done. They were willing to write the letter.

I have been told since I was little to finish everything on my plate or no dessert. So I started getting smaller plates and bowls. It helps a lot for portioning yourself. Try some protein shakes. You can order sample packs from different places. Make sure you get in the habit of no soda , cut back on caffeine and carbs. Eat protein first , then veggies and last carbs or starch. They will go through all that stuff with you. I had a food funeral last weekend. It was really nice to have a taste of all my favorites but I realized after 6 months of dieting I felt sick afterwards. I am ready for the next step.

I had to have a PCP letter as well. It will depend on your insurance and your surgical teams requirements. You should discuss this with your surgeon early on. For my insurance, I had to show a history of being overweight and list everything I'd done to try to lose it. I also had to provide documentation of co-morbidities (HBP, sleep apnea, etc) This was documented by my PCP through my check-up records. I did get prescriptions from my surgeon for all my pre-surgery blood work, scopes, and sleep apnea test (although I had already had that). I also had a six month supervised diet that had to be documented - I could have done that through monthly visits to my PCP for weigh ins OR my surgeons office offered monthly nutrition counseling classes, which met that requirement I went with the monthly nutrition classes just so there would be one less piece of information to coordinate with the surgeons office. They also required that the psych evaluation was done through their recommended doctors, so that was easy to arrange.

Getting through the surgery is one thing, but the after-care and success is long-term. You want to make sure you have good medical support from a general health perspective as well as surgical team. After surgery, I met with the surgical team nurse at 1wk, 1 month, 3 months, and now will meet with the actual surgeon at 6 months and annually for follow up, not exactly constant follow-up - BUT I also see a PCP for managing my blood pressure and blood work etc. every 3-6 months. My surgical office sends copies of all blood work and tests to my PCP, and they do say call with any questions. It's important for all of your healthcare providers to be in the loop in order for you to get the best care. I know many NP's are just as skilled as PCP's for general care -so you'd just have to check on the requirements. Mine specified a medical doctor. Best of luck to you.