At Fort Worth LAP-BAND® we strongly believe the most successful patients are also the best-informed.
Therefore, we suggest you start with
STEP ONE : Attend a seminar/ Watch an online EMMI tutorial.
Our seminars are always hosted by a highly trained LAP-BAND® professional and are a great starting point to learn more about the procedure & our practice. The EMMI program is an educational online tutorial that takes about 20-30 minutes to watch on the computer. You may click here to request an EMMI access code. Please note that your name and date of birth are required to receive an access code.
While you are taking the steps to learn as much as possible about the LAP-BAND®, we will be more than happy to assist you with
STEP TWO: Verify your insurance/ Secure financing.
When you attend a seminar, we will direct you to the proper contact person to assist you with insurance or financing. Renee Rose will assist you with verifying your benefits and answering any questions about your coverage. Heather Earheart is our financing coordinator, and she will help secure funds for surgery. After we have verified your benefits to ensure coverage is available for the LAP-BAND® and secured any financing you may need, it is time for
STEP THREE: Make an appointment for a one-on-one consultation with the surgeon of your choice.
Before your appointment, it will be helpful to have the patient profile, insurance verification form, and consent forms filled out in advance. At the consultation you will meet the surgeon to discuss your weight & health history and ask any questions you may have about surgery. After meeting with the surgeon, you will also have the opportunity to meet withRhonda Power, our insurance coordinator. Rhonda will give you an easy-to-follow plan to fulfill all of your insurance requirements depending on your specific plan. She is here to make the insurance process more user-friendly and less mind-numbing. If you have any questions about what is required by your insurance, Rhonda is your go-to person!
Since we want you to be fully prepared for surgery both physically & mentally, we strongly believe in the benefits of
STEP FOUR: Nutrition & Counseling Appointments.
Both of these in-office visits are designed for one purpose: to prepare you & help you attain the highest level of success possible. Everyday life can change drastically for the banded patient in ways you might not expect, and our goal is to “coach” you to watch out for trouble-spots that might trip you up along the way and give you the tools to handle these situations when they arise.
After you have completed these steps & any other requirements, we can move along to
STEP FIVE: Approval & Scheduling of the LAP-BAND® Procedure.
After we submit to your insurance & receive an approval, Pat Wagner will help you schedule your surgery. She will set up your pre-op teaching class, surgery date, post-op meeting, and first fill appointments. If you have any questions about surgery scheduling, please feel free to contact her.
After your surgery, our promise to you is to help you every step of the way. Our clinical staff is trained to anticipate your needs and to always answer your questions in a courteous and professional manner. Above all, we are here to help & understand you. We hope you always feel welcomed by our office whether you are calling to make your first appointment, or coming in for a yearly check-up. At Fort Worth LAP-BAND®, We Believe in the Band!