How long is the process

I am looking into having surgery and my pcp has done all of my blood work. Results will be back any day. Then he will recommend me to the surgeon.
I will be self pay. i have not called for an appointment as of yet.
Thanks  

Hi Tommy!  Which type of surgery are you having? Most PCPs and bariatric surgeons only know about the RNY and lap band. But there are two other great options, the DS and the VSG.  They each have pros and cons, and you can get an overview of each here on their OH surgical forum sites.  For more info on the DS, (the one I decided on) you can go to www.dsfacts.com, www.duodenalswitch.com, and www.livingthedslife.com . 

The time from referral to surgery varies depending on your surgeon's program. Some of them can take self-pays and get them scheduled pretty quick, others require a certain amount of time doing a pre-op diet or nutrition program, psych eval, and other tests.  The typical time line is around six months, but sometimes that's insurance driven. I guess the first step would be researching and picking a surgery type, then selecting a surgeon who specializes in the type of surgery you've decided on. 

Best wishes!

I am looking at the lap band surgery as I Have app 90 lbs to lose. Plus it is self pay as I do not have insurance.
Thanks

I have a question first - why self-pay?  Is that because your doc is not taking a lot of insurances anymore?

If that's the case, where do you live?  Syracuse and Albany have great practices as well that DO take most insurances.

The process varies and timeline varies based on patient and surgeon.

Blood work, cardiac stress-test, psych eval, Endoscopy, H. Pylori Test, Sleep apnea test, diabetic testing, hypertensio testing, documenting of dieting from PCP, and then all those tests/evals documented.

Sounds like a lot and it does take time, but it's time you should use to get ready and at least start a little behavior modification....

I do not have insurance so it will be self pay.
Thanks

From what I've heard, the process can be a lot speedier if you are a self-pay and don't have to go through the hassle of satisfying your insurance company. I know someone who met her surgeon in Sept and was a self pay and had the surgery about 3-4 weeks later.

Thanks for the info.
I have my first appointment April 6th. I did not that it would take 4 months to get in to see the doctor.
I guess it won't be untill next summer before I could have surgery.  That is a disappointment waiting so long.

Hi Lyndsey!

Did GHI make you do the 6month diet? Just curious..I have GHI and I have decided to wait until I can use the insurance (11 month pre-existing clause) for my wls...I was going to self-pay and have the DS but we have had some unforseen things happen..so much for that!:( Thanks.


Kim

Yep, they require the 6 month diet.~

Yep!
The doctors office sent a letter to my pcp and wanted me on a 6 month diet. But in the letter it states that the insurance company wants a 6 month supervised diet. I am self pay so I would not think it would matter, but I guess it does.
I have done weigh****chers a number of times and  this last time has been about 4 years now and I get discouraged after a long period of time with no weight loss.