Appointment to meet with surgeon set

Sorry, I should have been more specific in my earlier post. I checked with my insurance co. right after the information session, and WLS is covered. I've met with a dietitian, I've had the psych eval, and I'm currently in a 3-month behavior modification program, which should be completed in about 8 weeks.

I have an appointment to meet with a bariatric surgeon, which means things are moving along (I'm excited and very pleased!). What happens next, and how long does it typically take to get from this point to actual surgery?

Thanks for your help!

If you're self-pay, it could be a matter of weeks.  If you're going by insurance, they usually have several hoops for you to jump through from 3-6 month diets, psych evaluations, clearances from other docs, etc.  This can take several months before you can even request pre-approval.  If you've not found out anything, definitely call the insurance company today to see what else you can do.

Thanks, Valerie. I've already jumped through most of the hoops (dietitian, psych evaluation, in the process of 3-month behavior modification program) required by the insurance co. and the clinic.

Okay, so once you've completed your requirments and submitted to insurance, they usually reserve a month to respond, but many get approvals within a week or two.  I recommend calling a few days after submittal just to make sure they have everything they need.  Once you're approved, it's up to your surgeon's schedule.

Thank you, Valerie. The process is unfolding at its own pace -- I'll just need to develop some (more) patience : )

It took me nine months from my first appointment with the surgeon until the day of surgery.  Mine was paid for by my insurance.

Wow! Nine months after your first appt with the surgeon? I was thinking things would move fairly quickly once I'd reached the visit with the surgeon and completed the 3-month class/meeting requirements. Hmm. Maybe not.

Thanks, Kat.

Perhaps yours will be faster.    

I actually am glad that I had that time to prepare and ready myself.  I needed it.

Thanks, Kat. I'll try to look at the extra time spend waiting, for one thing or another, as a time to learn all that I can before the procedure. It took me years to come to the understanding that I needed to take this very drastic step, and I can wait several months for things to come together. I have no choice! : )

I checked with my insurance to make sure it was covered and set up an appointment for the surgeon consultation in March, decided that day which surgery to have and actually had surgery June 13th. It only took me three months. Granted I did a lot of research prior to meeting with the surgeon and had already made up my mind to do it. Fortunately, I didn't have to do a long supervised diet program, I just had to document all of the things I had tried in the past. Good Luck!