Question:
How long from your first appt to WLS date
It has taken 7 months for all my required appt's and now I called for a consult with a surgeon. (I have to take who they give me at Rochester.) Iwas told that I was #20 on the waiting list and it would be at least 6 months before I can get in to get a consult, and another 6 months to a year for a WLS date. Has any one else had this take 2 years to get the surgery? — Sue R. T. (posted on June 15, 2001)
June 15, 2001
My doctor didn't take near that long. Once I was approved for surgery I
had WLS 9 days later. I started all of the paperwork and tests and
appointments in April and I had surgery in September. I don't think you
should have to wait that long but I know each doctor is different. Have
you looked into other doctors? Best wishes to you...
— Sherri M.
June 15, 2001
I am one of the lucky ones. I had my 1st consult on 5/25/01, EDG done
5/31/01, approved by insurance 6/5/01, pre-op testing will done the wk of
7/9/01 and surgery is scheduled for 7/17/01.
— Cathy D.
June 15, 2001
Sue, It all depends on your location and if there are enough qualified
surgeons in your area. I started this process at the beginning of March
and now I have a surgery date of Sept. 5th. But, my surgeons office is now
scheduling for Oct. I was lucky and got a date that someone else had
cancelled out on. I have read other profiles where people are not getting
even the initial consult until 6 or more months down the line. The waiting
is tough, but at least your on your way. Good luck...
— Betty M.
June 15, 2001
I think all depends on your surgeon and your insurance. I switched from an
HMO to BC PPO on 4-1-01. My consult with Dr. Keshishian was on 5-1-01. My
surgery is on 6-22-01. While I wish it were faster, I think the timing was
reasonable.
— rkndna
June 15, 2001
Had first appointment on May 25th. Approval letter received June 15th.
Surgery date set for July 5. I could probably have scheduled the surgery
before July 5th if I had wanted to. I am lucky my surgeon is not swamped
and the insurance approval went off without a hitch.
— Anndrea H.
June 15, 2001
Had first consult Jan.11,2001.....Saw Endocrinologist 1/18.....Nutritionist
1/26, 2/2, 2/9.....Psychiatry evaluation 1/29. Physical Theraphy 3/15. Had
surgery 3/19. Didn't need pre-approval with my insurance.
— socco58
June 15, 2001
Doctors in Philly have incredible waiting lists and are not scheduling
initial consults until 2002 (I was told this in January of this year after
missing my December appt. due to my basement flooding!). I then searched on
the internet for other physicians the other direction in Bethlehem, PA
which were within the Aetna network. I might suggest that you at least
search within an hour radius of your home. Best Wishes! Oh and I got into
the new doc within 2 months, was approved in 4 days, surgery was scheduled
within 2 months and is set for next Tuesday. Very excited and a little
nervous. Good Luck in your journey. Molly Shannon
— Molly S.
June 15, 2001
First of all, I'm sooo sorry that you have to wait so long. Waiting is
TORTURE. I know, because I started this process in July 2000; had first
appt w/the shrink in November 2000; then appt with the internist in Feb.
2001; met the surgeon in April 2001; got my surgery date this week and it's
in July 2001. so a year from start to finish. I might have not gone so
insane if I'd known in advance that it would be july. Still would have
hated the wait, but the NOT KNOWING is MURDER. I agree that you might do
better with another doctor. I am traveling over 100 miles to get my surgery
done. I still have to go through pre-op testing too. The only thing I can
suggest is to keep in mind that GOD HAS PERFECT TIMING. When it's exactly
right for you to have surgery, you will. Hang in there...
— Veronica D.
June 16, 2001
Hi Sue - I called to schedule my consult in January - got a consult appt in
Apr. Went to the consult appt in April, got insurance approval within 2
weeks, surgery scheduled Aug 20th, 2001. Long process. Great surgeon -
I'm willing to wait.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 16, 2001
I called in March 2000 for consult, consult scheduled May 31, Psych and
Nutritionist June 7, surgeon approval for surgery was in mid-June,
insurance approval July 19, surgeon's office called to schedule appointment
in late July. At that time they were scheduling surgeries for mid-November.
I scheduled for and had my surgery on Dec. 11, 2000, roughly 8 months start
to finish. BTW, I understand that now, the wait after insurance approval is
almost 10 months.
— Maria H.
June 16, 2001
Called BTC on May 3, 2000. Consult May 10, 2000. Surgery July 25, 2000.
About 10 weeks.
— Allie B.
June 18, 2001
from my first appointment to talk to the doctor to final approval and
surgery it took 6 months. Hang it there, it will happen for you. Good
luck
— Tracy C.
June 18, 2001
After calling for appts in NJ and being told in March that I could not be
seen for an initial "consult" until Aug & Oct, I decided to
look for some surgeons in NYC. I called in March had my consult in
April(they booked the surgery before I even had insurance approval)got my
approval in May, and am scheduled for my surgery on June 28th! So about 12
weeks from start to finish.
— kimariem
October 14, 2001
I guess i was one of the lucky ones, i went for my first appointment to see
the nutritionist and get a physical, and then fortunetly i made the
appointment to see the lady who does the evaluations for the same day, and
it was really convientient for me because they were all in the same place.
So i got there at 10:00am and by 3:30pm i was done and i went to the front
desk and they said ok we are ready to schedule you for surgery, how is 11
days from now. I could hardly believe it myself. But i am greatful and
nervous at the same time. They said since my insurance (Medicaid) doesnt
require prior approval besides me seeing the psychiatrist, they could do it
right away.
— tracy G.
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