surgery date before approval?

How do I and can I request a surgery date, I have submitted everything, and have seen the psych. just waiting for the surgeon to send in his letter. I want the surgery asap, so i doing everything now??? thanks

Elizabeth, Whoa!!!! Hold on there!!! Most surgeons (rightfully so) won't give you a surgery date until they either get an approval from your insurance company or you agree to self pay. The approval process can be lengthy, with lots of hiccups. The surgeons offices don't want to keep rearranging their schedules. Also, it's not fair to get your hopes up thinking you will have surgery on a certain day, and then having to postpone. For most of us, once we made the decision to have WLS, we wanted it yesterday. Morbidly obese people are famous for wanting what we want when we want it - now! It's called instant gratification. That's probably why we eat so many things without caring about the consequences to our health at the time. This surgery demands that we relearn a relationship with food. It's a much more emotionally mature way of thinking than what we are used to. The process of waiting actually prepares you for the days that lie ahead. Keep your chins up! Roberta

Elizabeth~~ I can understand wanting your date prior to approval, but I can tell you from experience, I wish I did not have my date. it was for this thursday 11/10, and my insurance denied me, based on the LapBand, they feel it is still "investigational". My heart and hopes were flattened, more so, since i had my date. I keep thinking of the "if's" if it was still this thursday, this weekend would be my last "un-banded" etc.. better to be safe then sorry, I will keep my fingers crossed that you do get your approval and date smooth. best of luck! Laryssa