question

Hi All.. I'm shocked at the time it takes to get approved and actually have surgery. i went to Dr. Chua's Seminar June 27th. Had my psych eval and saw my Pcp the following week. Friday July 27th I saw the nutrionist and was told I need two more dietician appts. before they'll even summit to the insurance. I have a feeling I'm look at a 5-6 month time frame. Does this sound right? Is this normal? My insurance is United healthcare Aurora direct Network. Any tips, words of wisdom etc.. ?? I'm one of these people once my mind is made up to go ahead with the surgery I want it done like now: ) I'm sure I'm not alone with this feeling. Thanks Much and hope to hear from some of you. Shari

I was told it was a Indiana state law that required you 6 months of evaluation with your bariatric center before a letter of approval could be submitted. For whatever reasons I've yet to figure out it took me a year before I got my surgery date. Good luck.

I feel your pain. I have been in my process since December of 2006. I also have United Health Care. I will be having my surgery August 23rd. It will all be worth the wait. Just hang in there. Be Blessed!

I live in GA. I started in February of '07 and am having my surgery Monday, Aug. 6th. Insurance approved me in 2 days. I had all my ducks in a row though. I think it took such a long time because the center I am using is very good thus has so many patients and not enough time. Jackie in GA

I hear you.......I started in April 2007 and had my surgery on August 1, 2007. I pushed really hard from the beginning, getting all of my pre-op testing, specialist appointments, and classes/evaluations in by the end of May. It took only two days for insurance approval, but four weeks to see the surgeon to get a date. There are so many people entering the program that I think the surgeons and office staff are overwhelmed. I was very impatient and thought the day would never come, but when I look back, it really only took three months from the informational meeting to the surgery day. Hang in there and keep plugging along.........

Hey Shari.. actually 5-6 months is very fast! It's taken me over a year to get everything done and approved. I did have some things happen like I moved and had to find a new program, hospital and surgeon. Then the surgeon quit and I was back to square one. But I've been going to support group meetings for over a year now at several different hospitals and have seen it take a year at least for most people anyway. I absolutely DO understand you wanting it NOW. I certainly did too. But now that it's taken me so long... looking back I am so glad it wasn't quick like I wanted it. Taking the time it did, helped me learn more and also enabled me to be very ready mentally. You will go though a lot of emotions over the time while you're waiting. Take advantage of the time and do a lot of reading here on the boards and elsewhere. Go to support group meetings as often as you can. The wait is very very hard but time really does fly and before you know it you will be telling us you have a date! Keep in touch! Hugs, Marianne C.

I had my initial consult May 29th and my surgery was August 2nd. Would have been sooner if my thyroid wasn't out of whack! My suggestions.. ask them what tests take the longest and try to get them scheduled. I was lucky to get to have my sleep study on May 22nd and had to be on the CPAP for 30 days before my surgeon would do the surgery. The next available date for the study had been the end of JUNE. Also. .a lot depends on insurance. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and was approved in 48 hours!!!

While I've seen some people have surgery 2-3 months after starting their journey, they are the lucky ones. Mine has taken at least 5 months from the time of my first doctor's visit in March. I had to wait 2 months just to see my PCP for a yearly physical and ask for a referral, so it really started in January. I got approval very quickly. It was scheduling the doctor's visits that took so long. The waiting kills you, but just keep yourself busy, and you will get through it. Donna

I have Kaiser. I started asking questions and got the referral last August (1006). Kaiser requires you to attend classes in their "Options" program for six months before you get authorization. I was resentful at first that it was taking so long but I have learned so much in the classes and it helped me prepare mentally, physically, emotionally for the surgery. I am having surgery next Tuesday (8/14/07).