Johns Hopkins/Dr. S

I was right at 4 mos from consultation date to surgery date.   For a while it seemed like the time would never pass, then YIKES -- where did the time go!!!!   I am 14 mos out from surgery now, and it seems like just yesterday.   You will be there in no time.  Use your time to prepare yourself physically and emotionally for the experience.  Take good care of yourself, increase your protein, drink lots of water, start taking your vitamins, if you smoke--stop,  walk walk walk, exercise as much as you can.   Good luck! Marcia

I also used Dr. S and I have Aetna. I was denied the first time be because of my company and I appealed. On appeal I was approved and did not have to do any pre-op classes or programs! So once you do the 12 weeks then are you automatically approved? Good luck to you! Dr, S is great! I have had no post surgery issues at all!

Lisa, I wouldn't say automatically approved, but for me, since I don't have a 6 month "doctor supervised" diet in the past 2 years, I basically have to do the 3 month program or a 6 month doctor's diet.  I "should" get approved based on their policy, since I have all the other requirements and my company covers it.  With insurance though, I won't believe it until I have the letter in my hand.

I will keep you all updated!  Thanks again for all of your advice!

I used Dr. S for my band in 2005, and he is doing my reviusion to a sleeve on Jan 17th..... fabulous choice on your part! Your shorter program wil speed things up, because his office will not schedule you for a procedure until they have your insurance approval on file. For example, we started the insurance process in late summer, and my approval came in November (Helpful hint: keep very  close tabs on his office staff....they are not very good IMHO.  It took 7 weeks for them to submit to insurance!).  With approval, my date was set for about 8 weeks out. Barbara

Thanks Barbara for your input.  Good luck with your revision!