How long for IDPA approval letter? Oliphant

Hello!  I am new to your board, but have been admiring it for some time.  The time has finally come that I get a Lap Band.  I am a Carle patient and have seen the Nutritionist & Dr. Oliphant.  I have completed the first support group meeting and now I am just waiting on my approval letter.  No one at the office can give me a straight answer about the time frame I am looking at.  They are all saying soon, but I don't know if that means weeks or months.  It has been 3 weeks since I saw the Dr. and so I called the office today to inquire about the meetings.  I thought I had to go to 3 meetings THEN they would submit the INS request.  The lady on the phone said it has been submitted now we just wait on the letter.  Has anyone here had this experience with this group?  How long should I expect before I hear something?

Thanks!!

Hi Melissa,

We are so glad you found us! I am not familiar with your Dr, but just wanted to welcome you. This is a great group of friends and we will givve you all the support we can. Please feel free to join in on the daily roll call.

LISA

Melissa, sorry I am also not familiar with the system you are asking about. You could call the doc's office and sweetly ask your questions. Just remember that honey draws and vinegar (sour) detracts. You always have to have a smile on your face whenever you call to throw them off. They will answer questions if you are really kind even if you call every week.

Welcome to the board.

Come into the daily roll call. It seems that Dave has taken it over lately   Okay, I will be nice as he just organized that last get together on Saturday. Let someone else post first Dave.

Thanks...  I called this morning, and the lady didn't know.  But the funny thing is, I directly asked the nurse, the doctor, and the front desk/phone answerers and no one can give me a straight answer.  It is pretty strange.  I know they can't be sure, so they don't want to give me bad information.  That is why I was hoping someone in here might have had the same experience.  It is just odd to not have any sort of expectation of timing.  So far, my experience with the Dr.'s office has been, pleasant and they act like it is no big deal.  I think it is, I know it is!  So far nothing has gone as I had expected it to, but maybe that is a good thing!  Thanks for the welcome... I will keep everyone updated!