Average waiting time

I am just curious, what is the average time between making a decision, calling a doctor getting a consultation and actual surgery? I have an appointment scheduled with DR. maurie in DM in late January. But I also went ahead and set up to go DR. VerSteeg's seminar in Ft. Dodge in September. so those of you with experience can you tell me how many appointments will each one do, before calling the insurance and before surgery can be scheduled? I guess I need to know to help plan around my son and where he will go and what he will be doing, plus I am getting anxious.

Hi Beverly, I found from reading the posts on this message board that each doctors routine can be different. I'm seeing Dr. A.C. in Des Moines and before I could schedule my first consult with him I was required to attend a meeting with his bariatric coordinator Tammy. After this meeting I was then scheduled for my first consult with Dr. AC. At this appt. Dr. AC said no other appts would be made for me until my insurance approved the surgery. Five weeks later I was approved and then Dr. AC office made appts for me to see the nutritionists, psych eval and pulmonology work up which ended being over a 3 wk span. After the last of the third appt I was scheduled to see Dr AC 10 days later, which will be this Thurs 8/14 to set my surgery date. Once my insurance approved everything started moving quickly. Good luck with process. It's so exciting. Patti

Just to point out how different things can be.....I also have Dr. A.C. and I first got a referral from my PCP in Oct. of 2003, first appt with a.c. for Jan. 31, 2003. Had meeting with Tammy before first appt. (about an hour before) Before my ins. paperwork could be sent in, I had to do sleep apnea test, nutritionist, and psych consult. I already had a written approval from my pulmonologist and PCP. All paperwork was sentin the middle of April and a denial was returned in 2 weeks with a 60 day period to submit a reconsideration letter. I did this along with a letter from my rheum. (for fibro. and OA) That was sent in on June 14th and Ihad approval within a week. I called the same day I got approval to make appt. with Dr. A.c. and am still waiting for that date. (Aug. 19th) If from all the posts I have been seeing are any indication, I am looking at about late Sept. or early Oct if I am lucky. I am getting so impatient now but, I was warned it could be a year or more from start to surgery. Hopes this helps and not confuses. Elizabeth

Beverly, it has taken about 1 Year. I had my first consultation in Sept. Of 2002. My surgery date in Sept 2. But I also hadto change doctors for insurance reasons. Timeframes really are determined my the Surgeron and there requirements. I don't think it sould taken anyone a year but it seemd to be an average timeframe for most people I have talked with. Good luck.... Lisa J

Every doctor is very different, I am going through the same process as my husband, because I already know what to excpect, and have met with the surgeon and like him. Jason had been doing research for a few months but surprisingly everything went very quickly. He called a few docs to get an appt. It was a long wait for the DSM docs (as you already know) so he called Grinnell...there is no reqired psych eval, and he had openings available. he just moved into that practice from the Mayo clinic in Minn. Jason saw his PCP in 1 week, got an appt with the surgeon, Dr. Schwartz, the following week, was approved within 2 weeks and there was an opening for surgery 2 weeks following that...Jason waited a month due to our schedules and vacations. One week before he had to go to the hospital for bloodwork, EKG, nutricionist, and physical. His surgery was postponed 5 days due to someone being out of town...but all in all I think the process was very quick. If I hadn'y done research and gone through all this with him, I don't know who I would have chosen. I believe every doctor in Iowa has his good points and room for improvement. But Jason and I are happy with our choice. He's doing great....no sickness and minimal pain.

Yes, it all depends on the doctor & his practice. I am scheduled with DR Glas**** in Cedar Falls. His practice just opened ths spring & since it's the only one in the area, you can imagine the interest it sparked. I first heard about him in January, filled out the 25 page form, attended a seminar in Feb, saw him in April, I think, and am scheduled for surgery in Sept. He is so busy. At first I was kind of disappointed to not get it going faster but now I am kind of glad that I had this time to get ready, both mentally & physically. I tell everyone that for me it is like giving birth. It has been 9 months. Now, if you were in parts of Canada you might have to wait over a year for your initial visit with the doctor & then as long as 2 years to wait for the surgery. I love this country! Dixie