Question:
How long did the wait between now to the surgery take

I want to have the surgery now that I have had my miracle daughter. I am wondering how long from start to surgery does it take. I know that there's counseling, consultations, tests, letters to be sent. Say you get approved on the first letter or appeal approximately how long does it normally take to go through all of this and then get to the surgery? Thanks in advance for your comments! Alesha    — Alesha424 (posted on November 23, 2005)

November 23, 2005
From the first time I saw my surgeon which was 22June 2005 it took me 3 months and 3 weeks to have my surgery. But I was denied by the insurance 3 times and had to fight with them. As long as you have all the paperwork your insurance requires it doesn't take very long to get the rest of it done once you see the surgeon.My friend had her surgery 3 weeks after her first visit.. So it depends on the surgeon and the insurance and what they require...
   — thelindersmom

November 23, 2005
I first got a referral from my primary care doctor in April and had my surgery that Sept. I got my psyc evaluation, all medical tests and consult with surgeon done in May and June. From June til Sept. was waiting for insurance approval.
   — tazfan

November 23, 2005
First appointment---March 3. Surgery---October 3.
   — RebeccaP

November 23, 2005
I had my first consult after my six week post partum clearance from my ob-gyn. That was on 5/4/2005. I had my psych evals and all other paperwork done in June. It took 2 weeks to get my paperwork filled out by the psychologist and another 2 weeks for insurance to "find" my paperwork. Approval took 2 weeks. I got my approval over the phone on 7/21, and the doctor's office got my approval in August thru a fax. I had my surgery on 9/20/2005. That's roughply aobut 4 months. Good luck.
   — carjacks

November 23, 2005
Hello, I would say on adverage about Six mo. Some sooner some longer. But adverage I would give it 6 mo. A little tip. Squeeky wheel gets the oil. Know what I mean. If you have tests that an office needs to fax call them everyday to see if they have sent the results. Then Call the place to where they are supposed to be sending them to see if they have gotten them to make sure. So on and so forth. Do this with everything. They get sick of you bugging them and will get you stuff processed sooner... Post-Op 4 yrs. and everyond I have given this advise too says it works... Nobody likes a nag...Ha Ha.. but it works. Your WLS friend Jo
   — Jo_Michalko

November 24, 2005
The time from your first visit with your surgeon to the actual surgery can vary depending on what sort of preoperative workup your surgeon does. It also depends on your insurance requirements. In our practice it averages 2.5 months. Just a reminder, nutritional changes after bariatric surgery can result in less nutrients in breast milk, and resulting nutritional problems in your infant. - M. Brackman, MD
   — Dr. Brackman