Buncha questions...so excited!!

Hello all...I am very new to this all.  I hope to have surgery in St. Cloud, MN.  I have my first seminar on Monday night.  I am curious though, how long the whole process takes before I would actually be able to have my surgery??  Thanks.

First off, congratulations on making this life-changing step! I'm a year out next month(woohoo!) and down 135 pounds. Had to pat myself on the back for that one, lol!

As far as time-wise for surgery, it really all depends on what your insurance requires for the steps. Personally, I began my journey in October of 2006 and had surgery in June of '07, which really isn't bad in retrospect.

Call your insurance carrier on Monday and ask, or your bariatric center may have a list of what each insurance requires at their disposal. I had my surgery at Unity, and at my first nurse visit, I found out what hoops I'd have to jump through.

Good luck and let us know how the seminar goes!!

Hey Hey!! Nice to meet you and welcome! I started the process in Nov 2007 and got surgery (banded) May 2008. It wasn't too bad but 6mnths to a year is typical.

Welcome. welcome!  I remember being in yor place sending out this exact post.... I got a wealth of information and have been hooked to this site ever since.  You will get your questions answered here.  (Not to mention an amazing group of wonderful people, who have become some of my closest friends.)   I made my first post on Dec. 12, 2007.  I went to the info. meeting on Dec. 18, 2007, had surgery on March 18 and am mow down 50 lbs and am so thrilled.   It all depends on what you have to do.  If you need to have the 6 months of documented dieting that may hold you up a bit.  I had gone to slim 4 life others had done LA weight Loss and my insurance used that for the 6 month deal.  It all depends on your insurance, how available you are for the appointments and stuff.   With that said, this time before your surgery is so important to get your mind ready and prepare for the new you.  Exercise, finding proteins you like, getting soda out of the picture and a few more things will only help prepare you for this exciting journey!   

Welcome to the boards and to this new journey in your life.  I have to Echo everything that Lisa Joy stated as it was perfectly said!!

I began my process August of 2007 and had my surgery in December of 2007. I had to do 3 months of supervised diet visits as a requirement from my insurance which is United Health Care (Medica). That 3 months was a great time for me to begin to make the right choices and give up a few things. I actually lost 30lb prior to the surgery.  Feel free to ask lots of questions the people on this board are amazing.  Best wishes to you on your journey!!

Hello and Welcome to the MN Board!! This is a great place to be. So much information and caring. You will recieve wonderful support and meet some of the kindest people!! I love it here and have learned so much. A bonus of making wonderful friends as well! Are you having Dr. Glass/Dr. Bettendorf do your surgery??? Dr. Glass did mine. What a great surgeon and a wonderful person. Kristin rocks too!  I would agree with the others.....depending on your insurance and what other tests etc. that are needed 6 months to a year is about average. Some go quicker but it depends on each persons individual needs . Hope to meet you at Dr. Glass' support group sometime. Please try to attend those if possible. That too is an awesome group of people. Great support and info there as well. Hang on tight this is quite the ride!!!

Hugs, connie d

I have Healthpartners, I began my Journey in April of 08 and I am scheduled for surgery on June 24th of 2008. I just got on top of everything right away. Like the psych exam, and the sleep study. Im a teacher with summers off so it was very important to me to get in during the summer.

I went to my info session 12/19/06, sent my packet in on 1/17/07, and had surgery 4/27/07.  No 6 month requirement for my insurance, tho. Just wanted to wish you the best!  This is a fantastic journey!