Surgical Weight Management Program

So, it's October and one of the things I found online was the Surgical Weight Management Program at the North Shore Medical Center in Salem, Mass. They were having an informational session on October 14. I decided to go. It was definitely interesting and, after hearing about both methods -- gastric banding and gastric bypass -- I was beginning to think that the gastric bypass might be the better option... at least for me. The gastric band needs to be filled and emptied periodically, so there is a port placed just under the belly skin through which fluid is added or extracted, as needed. I don't like that idea. In addition, weight loss is much slower than with the gastric bypass. I am looking for the faster weight loss so I can, hopefully, avoid having to start medication to control my blood sugar levels. Of course, the drawback is that gastric bypass is permanent. There's no turning back. The band can be removed, if necessary. The program is quite extensive. Before a surgical date can be scheduled, there is a series of evaluations that must be completed, including the information session, an initial consultation with the surgeon, heart and wellness evaluation, lab work, nursing evaluation, nutrition evaluation, stress test, sleep study, psychological evaluation and testing, and all surgical candidates must attend two sessions of the pre-op support group, held monthly. Then, there is a mandatory 12-week post-op risk reduction program, post-op support group meetings and long-term follow-up appointments at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and annually. Most, if not all costs associated with the program are covered by most insurances. But, we were told to call our insurance company to enquire about it. There is a $400 program fee that is not covered by insurance and must be paid at the heart and wellness evaluation appointment. My initial appointment with the surgeon was scheduled for November 18. I am still not 100%convinced that bariatric surgery is for me, but I decide to talk with the doctor and begin the evaluations process. In the meantime, now, I have also decided to change my primary care physician, so my new PCP has no idea I'm considering gastric bypass surgery. My first appointment with her was also in November. I chose my PCP because she is an osteopathic doctor (D.O.), rather than just another medical doctor (M.D.). As such, she is not one to jump to the surgical solution, if there is a non-surgical solution that will work. And I like that. So, I had to convince her that I had, indeed, done my research before deciding I wanted to look into this further. She agreed to provide anything the surgeon needed, as well as the referral. I called my insurance company and, yes, they will cover gastric bypass surgery. So, I've got all my ducks in a row... just in case I decide to go through with it.