Question:
Can anyone tell me how long it takes from the time you decide to have surgery, and
you have the surgery. Will I have already finished weight supervisored progam, will get psyh evaluation on Dec 26, 2007. I was hoping to have surgery in Feb. or March. Gerry — whitetiger58 (posted on November 30, 2007)
November 30, 2007
When I first decided to have the surgery I had been told that it would take
about 8 months in total BUT from the first appointment witht the surgeon to
operating day it was exactly 4 1/2 months. It really all depends on how
quick you get all your doctors appts in and how quick the response is from
your insurance company. It can be relatively quick or can take up to a year
(I had heard). It will all depend on you and your insurance. Good luck, I
hope it's quick for you!
— KATHY1025
November 30, 2007
I had my first consultation with the surgeon on May 15 and finally had the
surgery on November 19. About a month of that was related to insurance
approval. My original surgery was scheduled for October 29, but the
approval didn't come through in time.
I treated the project like a "job" ( I'm retired), and sometimes
had 3-4 medical appointments or tests in one week. I couldn't believe how
many hoops I had to jump through in order to get the approval. Perhaps
some of that was due to my age, and the results of my two sleep studies.
ALso, my doctor is known to be a stickler for the details of the protocol,
and is very busy, so there was his surgery schedule to deal with as well.
Do you have to see a pulmonologist or endocrinologist? I had to be cleared
by both.
Good Luck, Gerry!
Flora
MusigalF
— MusigalF
November 30, 2007
It depends on your insurance company. Most insurance companies that cover
this surgery require an educational class of about 6 months duration, exams
from multiple doctors, psychological exam to see if you are OK for surgery,
etc. They want you to be as informed as possible about what you have to do
after surgery. It sounds like if you're having the psych exam, you are
within a month of surgery. The psych exam was the last thing I needed, and
I had RNY surgery within 2-3 weeks. The time of surgery also depends on
your surgeon's schedule. There are cancellations sometimes, and you can in
quicker than normal.
— Dave Chambers
November 30, 2007
It really depends on the type of insurance u have. My processs took 2
months. I am a year out now and happy as a lark.
Good Luck
— Porsha
November 30, 2007
I had my initial consultation with my surgeon on October 15th. They were
luckily able to have my lab work done the following day along with my psych
evaluation and nutritionist. Believe it or not, 15 days later I had my lap
band surgery. Mine happened so fast because I was a self-pay and didn't
have the insurance barriers to deal with. I'm still glad I had the
surgery. Best decision I ever made! Good luck with yours. :)
— Michelle661
November 30, 2007
It took me 17 months to get approved, one yr of insurance dr visits in, and
paperwork, appeals, etc. but my sister paid cash for hers and waited only
2-3 months.
— shalmar
November 30, 2007
Hi Gerry! Congrats on your empowering decision for your life already! =)
Have you been approved already thru your insurance? From my first inquiry
with my insurance company assuring me they would cover it and I was within
the guidelines (BMI, etc) until the day I went to surgery was appx 4
months. But that wait time was only due to the fact that the surgeon I
originally chose was booked up and busy and and.... so I found another
surgeon, in a neighboring state, made sure he was a provider and he was
able to book me just two weeks after my first contact with him... So,
assuming you are pre-approved or self-pay, it really is the surgeon's
schedule that will determine the delay! =) Good luck and Blessings!!!
ChristiMNB
— ChristiMNB
November 30, 2007
I wasn't covered by insurance and had to pay myself and so I met my surgeon
and they scheduled my surgery 1 month later. I had to get a ekg, blood
tests and meet with a psycologist with in the month. It was a little
stressful going so fast but so worth it.. Good luck on getting your date..
— gabbyjane
November 30, 2007
It could happen that soon should all of your pre-tests come out normal.
It could happen.
— the7thdean
November 30, 2007
From the time i went to my first appointment to surgery was 6 weeks.
— Rebaboh
November 30, 2007
Although we all want to get it over fast, we were MO probably most of our
life. Now the early days after WLS can be kinda rough. A long delay before
WLS like 6 months weeds out those who truly arent commited. This reduces
dramatically the number who regreat wls in the first weeks / months post
op. So rushing isnt always a good thing....
— bob-haller
December 1, 2007
Hi Gerry. You are writing the wrong place. Please ask your surgeons
office. They have the schedules and know what is what. For me it was a 9
month wait because of their schedule, not because I didn't get my stuff
done. I was ready in 8 weeks, but they weren't for 9 months. I think your
schedule can work for you if your insurance approves and your program you
are in now supports the decision, the final thing is your physical and your
surgeons schedule. Check with them and they should be able to help you out
with a "non commital" timeline. Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
December 1, 2007
It took me 4 months. Good Luck
— John C.
Click Here to Return