Question:
how long does it usaully take to schedule surgery after you meet with the surgeon?
— maderm85 (posted on August 11, 2003)
August 11, 2003
I saw my surgeon last Monday, Aug. 4. Got a call today that my surgery is
scheduled for next Tuesday Aug. 19. That having been said, my circumstances
are a little different (check my profile). I don't think there is a clear
cut answer. It mostly depends on your insurance, if they will approve and
how long they take to approve. Some take months, others days. I had to have
two different approvals, the first in 3 days, the second in 2. Good luck on
your journey!
— Denise B.
August 11, 2003
My Surgeopn you have to have all tests done first before you even get a
consultation, then after first consultation his nurse sumits all in into
Insurance for approval.Put it this way had my 1st consultation on June27th
and I already had my Surgery on August 7th.. But every doctor is different
and everyones Insurance is different. Good Luck. Christine
— blainejrjeni
August 11, 2003
My doctor has a long waiting list for surgery. It takes 4-5 months after
you have completed all your surgical consults (ekg, upper gi, psych,
abdominal ultrasound, etc.). It is frustrating but he is very good and
worth the wait. Each doctor (and practice) is different.
— Maridee B.
August 11, 2003
Every doctor handles his patient scheduling differently, but usually after
you meet with the surgeon they try to get your insurance approval first.
Once it is approved, then you get scheduled. My surgeon scheduled me for 3
months after my approval came through, but there was a cancellation and I
got in within a month. So, it can be from a couple weeks to months and
months.
— bethybb
August 11, 2003
It depends on both your Dr's schedule and how he schedules with or without
ins approval. You can wait anywhere from 1 week to 1 year for a first appt
depending on the Doc. I live in the Metro DC area. I had mine done w/i 10
wks of my 1st appt. I called many Dr's before I found one I liked with good
credentials and a fairly open schedule. Several things fell in place
quickly - 1. my doc's schedule was not filled, 2. my health was good enough
to do it right away, 3. the insurance company approved in 3 days and 4. the
hospital my Dr was using had space. Actually 1,2,3 would have had me in for
surgery sooner, the hold up was the hospital schedule. RNY is considered
elective and takes second seat to other surgeries. My sister is in Florida
and called quite a few practices. All of them told her the same thing. -
After her initial consult, it could take up to 1 year before the surgeon
had time to do the surgery even if insurance approved in 4 weeks.
— M B.
August 11, 2003
With my Kaiser plan, I am pre-approved before I can even make a
consultation appt. Once I saw the surgeon then I was told it would take 2
to 3 months for the surgery according to his schedule. Each doctor is
different and a lot will depend too on your insurance and how quickly they
approve the procedure.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 11, 2003
Had my consult in Aug of 2002, surgery scheduled in Jan 2003, Surgery date
was APRIL 23rd. 8 Months from start to finish.
— Jamie M.
August 11, 2003
my first consult was may 2002 and my 1st surgery appoinment was the last
week of oct 2002 and actual surgery date was 11/12/02. best luck, kimberly
open distal rny 11/12/02 -120lbs
— kimberly T.
August 11, 2003
HI there. Every surgeon is probably different depending on hoe
busy/popular they are...but you probably already know that. I saw my
Doctor on May 13th and my surgery was on July 10th. 6 weeks?
— Michele B.
August 11, 2003
Once you see the surgeon and he dcides what testing you need. gall bladder
ultrasound, sleep study, chest X ray, PCP approval, tests for GERD, cardiac
clearance and many others depending on your situation. Then these tests all
have to be complete and any others as these tests may lead to other ones:(
Around here its about 6 months but that varies widely.
— bob-haller
August 11, 2003
I saw my surgeon on 8/27/01. Paperwork was sent to the insurance company
on 9/8/01. Approved by insurance on 9/11/01. Scheduled for surgery on
9/18/01.
— Patty H.
August 11, 2003
It varies widely and depends on one thing the most: Insurance. Your
insurance company holds your life in their hands, literally, and then will
decide how long it takes. I hope that your insurance company is quick and
easy to deal with. My process was as follows: Called surgeon's office on
April 24, 2003 to set up an appointment - got an appointment to see the
surgeon and attend a seminar that night. June 6th - surgeon's office faxed
paperwork to insurance company. June 30th - received approval letter from
insurance company. July 7th - had sleep study done. August 1st - had
pre-op testing done, received surgery date of September 18th. So, for me,
the whole thing, from start to finish, is/was almost five months. Good
luck to you!
— kristynush
March 7, 2007
I have medicare yes I pay a premiun every mo. I called 8-31-06 10-26-06
consult 11-27-06 surgery at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Wongsa laporscopic Houston Tx.
Everything was fine feeling great do as surgeon tells u.
— yorkie
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