Timeline to attain Surgery date

On Tuesday, June 3, I will have my final visit with my PCP, fullfilling my 6 month visits. I have completed everything else that is required. I plan to call my surgeon's office that same day to begin the process for my surgery. Any ideas what timeline I can expect? I'm guessing the process is I will see the surgeon, and after his approval they will file with insurance (Medicare & BCBS) for approval? Then once that is received I will have two weeks of a liquid diet. Would the middle of August be realistic for my surgery? Dr. Charles Morton at Baptist Hospital in Nashville TN will be my surgeon. Has anyone used him before? Thanks for your answers. Barbara

Congratulations on almost completing your 6 months requirement for your insurance company.  I can only tell you my experience with my insurance company....Humana.   Once I had completed my 6 months with my PCP, my doctor wrote me letter that I took with me to Baptist....my surgeon is Dr. Lynch.  It did take 6 weeks for my insurance to approve my surgery.  Remember, that insurances are all differnt.  Once approved, I called to get an appointment with Dr. Lynch....my appointment one week later.  YEAH!!!  Once I met with him, we set up my surgery 3 weeks later.  I love the office staff at Baptist.  They have been wonderful to me.  I worked with Ebony and she is absolutely the most caring person I have ever seen.  Now, I have a friend in my support group that was approved in a week by her insurance company.  I don't know if this has helped or not.   I do wish you the best of luck on your approval for the surgery.  Please let us know when you do.  My surgery is June 10th. 

Hey Baboo! I wish I could tell you it would be tomorrow, then again it might be!  I've heard all kinds of stories here on the boards.  Unfortunately,  all I can speak of is my experience,  If you would like to read my time line, just click here!  I wish you the best of luck and congrats on your the journey so far!

Thanks guys, I will post here as I progress.  Scott, I love your page and have bookmarked it to use as I take this weightloss journey.  Do you guys go to any support group meetings?  I went to the one at Baptist in April but didn't make the one in May.  Plan on going to the one next month.  Do you ever meet other places?  I would like to get to know others who are going or have gone through this surgery.  No one I know has had anything like this before. Thanks again. Baboo

We do meet at other times through out the month.   We have a Lunch Bunch that meets the 2nd Saturday of each month.  Although for the month of June it will be the 21st!  Just keep an eye out for Susan's post, she usually let's everyone know when that is upcoming.   Alyssa keeps us up to date on the Dinner Club that gets together the last Friday of each Month I believe.  Same with her, just look for her post.  She goes by the screen name of Sweet Tn Belle! A couple of weeks ago several of us got together for a WLS picnic.  And there is even talk of a group of us going bowling one night.  Baboo, we would love to have you join us.   Congrats and keep in touch!

Get Ready for the Ride of your Life!!!  You are almost at the top of the big hill on the rollercoaster of WLS, once you get here there will be lots of hills and turns, some will go slowly, some will go fast, but it will all be worth it!!  I will keep my fingers crossed and my prayers will be going up, for a speedy recovery!!!  Best of Luck!! Shelia

I am going to meet him tomorrow. I will be happy to try to get some idea of what we should expect from the insurance department. I am writing this in my notes right now. God bless you and we are almost there. Tina

 Want to wish you all the best and hope you get a speedy approval. Everyones experience is different. It only took me a week to hear back after my paper work was submitted.

Thanks guys, I will watch for iniformation on any get togethers.  I believe that support from others is one of the keys to successing in this endeavor.  My husband is very supportive, but since eating has never been a problem for him he can't understand what it's like for me.  I'm soooooooooooooo glad I found you guys before my surgery.  I know I will need all of your wisdom to see me through. Baboo

Please do plan on joining us for the Lunch Bunch and/or Dinner Club get togethers. You might also add to your calendar, the July support groups at Baptist will be a protein party. Shelia and I have done this in the past for both the RNY and LapBand support groups and have been asked to do a repeat. We will have samples of many of our favorites and will be mixing protein drinks for folks to sample as well. We will also have recipes and information on where to find the products we recommend.