The first thing to do is exactly what you are doing now----get informed! This is a big decision and one that can make a dramatic change in your life. Learn as much as you can. One good way to learn more about the band is to attend a seminar. These are given on a regular basis and are free. You will be able to meet Dr. Ray as well as meet a patient who has gone through the program. These are for your information only. There will be no pressure for you to go further if you are not comfortable. Click here for a seminar schedule. Seating is limited, so please register first with Ashlee@JAmesBradleyRAyMD.com

Once you are comfortable that you are ready to move forward, you should call the office and ask for our Bariatric Facilitator. She will walk you through step by step. She will check your insurance to make sure it is a covered benefit. She can also set up your initial consultation. If it is not a covered benefit, she can help answer questions about our self pay option and financing.

The initial consultation often takes two or three hours, so be sure you set aside enough time. You will view a video which gives an overview of the procedure. You may watch this at home "on line", if you wish. When you make your appointment, our office will walk you through the log on procedure. In addition you will undergo a complete history and physical to be sure you are a good candidate for surgery. These appointments are typically made at the time of your initial consultation. If it is felt that you need a cardiologist or sleep study before surgery, these will be set up at this time. In addition, Dr. Ray will go over the details of band placement and discuss the risks as well. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, so feel free to write them down ahead of time. All patients must also undergo a consultation with a psychologist and have a dietary consult. This can all be done at our Center.

There are a number of things that you will need to do to get ready for surgery. Lap band surgery is not like getting your hernia fixed where you can be seen one day and scheduled for the next week. One of the most important but time consuming steps is that you must spend six months attempting to lose weight prior to qualifying for surgery. This is an Indiana state law. In 2006, Indiana passed important legislation regarding bariatric surgery and health insurance. Prior to this law, approval for bariatric surgery could sometimes seem haphazard. This law clearly defined who could and couldn't have surgery. One of the requirements was that patients the six month requirement. This must be six consecutive months. If you skip a month, you have to start all over. You must weigh in and discuss your weight loss with your provider-either a doctor, nurse practitioner or registered dietitian. You do not need to go on diet pills. If you have already done this within the past year and can provide documentation, you do not need to do it again. Also, you do not need to do this before your initial consultation with Dr. Ray. Most people find it useful to get started with their primary doctor while they are going through the work up with Dr. Ray. This can save time. Another important component of this law was that you must document at least five years of obesity. So go ahead and start gathering your old medical records. The good news is that once you have done these things your chances of getting insurance approval are much better. In the event that you are not approved, your chances of winning an appeal are also better if you have done these things.

If you have any questions, call us. This can seem like a complicated process but it doesn't have to be. Just call 812-330-9962 (or 1-877 LAP-CTR1, toll free) and ask for the bariatric facilitator. She is here to help you.