Timeline: How long did it take?

Hey everyone, I am wondering how long each of your journeys have taken. I am curious to know how long it took from the time you attended a seminar to the time you went in (or are going in) for the surgery?

Also, how long did it take for the insurance to approve your surgery?

Thanks :)

time line is basically defined on how long the insurance takes to approve, also when the surgeon has a available date to schedule your surgery.   Some it takes a month, some 2 or 3 months.   I see insurances approve if meets criteria in 1 week up to 30 days.  

I started  January '09.  My insurance was submitted Feb. 6 and I was approved Feb. 13.  I had all my testing etc done and could have had surgery sooner but my surgeon changed hospitals so I was delayed slightly due to that.  Had my surgery 4/29/09.  But it varies per person depending on your insurance and their requirements, how quickly you can get all your tests done etc.  I thought it was never going to happen but it did.  It just takes time but when it starts happening it all goes very quickly.  I was very surprised.

Good Luck on your journey.

I went to my second seminar  on 12/2/08.  I turned in my packet the next day on 12/3/08.  I had my surgery on 2/13/09  I just keep doing the next step.  My surgeon sent in my paperwork on 1/9/09 to my Insurance.  I got the call on 1/16/09 that I was approved.  My surgery was scheduled that day for 2/13/09.  It almost seemed too easy.  I am going to chalk that up to answered prayer.  This decision was one that I had researched and contemplated for years.  I still can't believe it's been 3-1/2 months since surgery.   Down a total of 77lbs. 

I went to a seminar in September 08.  I started all my pre-op requirements in October 08.  I have Humana Insurance and they require a 6 month supervised diet.  So I had to see my family physician for six months and they  had to submit documentation on my progress and I had to attend nutrition classes for six months through the Surgical Weight loss Program at the hospital just to meet insurance guidelines.  I finished all that and jumped through all the right hoops and got approval from my insurance on May 19.  Today I'm attending a pre-op education class and should get an appointment with my surgeon to actually schedule a surgery date.  Also, my insurance request was submitted on May 18 and they came back with approval the next day.  I feel so lucky!