Question:
How long does the process take from beginning to end?

What are the first steps I need to take to get this process started?    — Tamika B. (posted on November 17, 2004)

November 17, 2004
Hey all surgeons offices are differant when I found my surgeon the one I actually used it took 37 days from beginning to end. First day went to seminar the last day had surgery. inbetween had about 5 doctors visits and 2 more seminars one dietician and one they tell all that happens in the hospital when You go for the surgery. I have heard some surgeons offices take up to 6 - 9 months. Best wishes.
   — Shell G

November 17, 2004
Tamika, It depends on whether you're self-pay or if insurance is covering, what your surgeon's office's protocols are, what your insurance company's back log is like, whether or not your insurance company decides to cover without a fight, stuff like that. For me, it took a year and a half - and then it only happened because I ended up self-paying - insurance just didn't work out to be an option. For most self-pay patients, you can get surgery in pretty quick order. Just depends on the surgeon. Have you decided which surgery? Which surgeon? Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

November 17, 2004
Hi Tamika...I had my consultation with BTC on July 26th and got approved by insurance November 9th. It would have taken much sooner but I had to wait 7 weeks for my sleep study and 3 weeks for an appt. with my PCP for blood work. When my insurance finally got my paperwork, it was approved in one day. I am just waiting now for BTC (Bariatric Treatment Centers-or their new name- Bariatric Specialists of Penn.) to contact me with my surgery date. They have told me that it will definetly be done before the end of December. I figure if you took away the time it spent waiting for the above procedures, it would be about 3 months from start to finish. Pretty good from what I hear. The hospital close to me now has a waiting period that averages 1 to 1 1/2 years so I consider myself extremly lucky. I am also glad I am going to BTC where they specialize in this surgery. Hope this helps and good luck!
   — Stephanie W.

November 17, 2004
I also went thru BTC (here in IL they are now known as Barix Clinics) I had my consult in mid july 2002 and could have had surgery by mid August, if I hadn't had to give 30 days notice at work. I had surgery 9/25/2002. And the results are incredible. I feel they have a fantastic program They did EVERYTHING for the insurance, I just sttod back and let them do their job and I was approved about 1 day after my insurance co got the paperwork from BTC. They know their stuff, and if there is a way to get approved they will find it! They have done over 20,000 surgeries which is why I went there. My individual surgeon had done > 1500 when I had mine. Good Luck!!!!
   — **willow**