Question:
How Long From First Visit to Surgery
I will be paying cash. No insurance forms to deal with - no credit or loans. I was wondering if that would make a difference in waiting timem for surgery. I want to start and finish witin 2 mos. Is this unrealistic? — Yakkity-One (posted on January 14, 2010)
January 14, 2010
I would say if you go out of the country 2 months is realistic. However if
your surgery is in the states it will depend on your surgeon and the
hospital. Most will require the same tests and classes that insurance
companies require so it will depend on how long it takes to get those done
as well as how long the wait is for the hospital operating room. The day I
was approved by my insurance my surgeons office called to schedule my
surgery. It was 2 months before I could get an operating room slot. Good
luck.
— Caribou ME
January 14, 2010
The time from my first visit until surgery was about 2 1/2 months. Whether
you pay cash or have insurance doesn't have any bearing on the time. It is
the pre-op testing that takes the most time. When I received my schedule of
appointments I immediately called all the doctors and labs and moved my
appointments up. Because I was able to move all the appts. closer, the
testing time was greatly diminished. I know people who kept the appointment
times the surgeon's office had scheduled and for some it took between 4-6
months. Once the testing was complete I only waited a couple of weeks for
surgery. I'm sure it depends on how busy your surgeon is - at one point my
surgeon said he had a waiting list of 3 months. I was lucky he had caught
up on his work! Best of luck!
— Cynthia T.
January 14, 2010
Nancy, not to rain on your parade here, but you do realize you'll be living
with the changes in your body for the rest of your life, right? What's the
rush? The longer you take getting ready, the more you may really succeed in
long-term weight loss. I can't recommend support groups enough, for
example. Weight Loss Surgery is just a part of a lifestyle change required
for success in the long haul. If you have an event you want to lose weight
for, maybe a crash diet is more what you need?
— Greg K.
January 14, 2010
I went to my first surgeon visit on September 2nd last year and surgery on
October 22nd. But my first seminar was June 24th so I would say two to four
months. But use the waiting time and try to eat and live like you think it
might be and try to lose any weight. Good Luck!
— postalmoose
January 15, 2010
From my 1st appt. to surgery will take 5-6 months. It would be quicker but
my surgeon is pretty backed up and scheduling 2 months out. I know how you
feel though because as soon as I looked into it and decided I wanted to get
RNY I wanted it right then!! When someone told me it would take about 6
months I thought that day would never get here...6 months sounds like
FOREVER! But when you have 1 or 2 appointments a month and you go from
appointment to appointment it flies by! Good Luck!
— babytmakes6
January 15, 2010
My surgeon has a "fast-track" for his cash patients. I'm sure
there are others who do the same. I don't think 2 mos. is unrealistic at
all. Hope you do your homework first though on the surgeon you choose.
Don't go with just anyone based on their availability to operate. There's
usually a reason why a surgeon has a waiting list (aka lower mortality rate
due to more skill, etc.)
— Arkin10
January 23, 2010
my clinic's rate is about 6 months. They require a weight loss and several
tests pre surgery, like a psych eval, labs, sleep study if necessary,
etc...best fo luck!
— gpcmist
January 24, 2010
I went to my seminar on Jan. 9th, and talked with my surgen about how soon
I could get in being a self pay.... he had me call the office the next day
and I was in for a consult on Jan. 12th.
We discussed everything, and because I smoked he wanted me smoke free for
a month.....I took chantix and it worked and I had my surgery Feb. 9th!!
He really worked with me.... I was on a Leave of Absence because I had
Knee replacement surgery, and was scheduled to go back to work March 1st.
So I guess it all depends on your surgen, Mine was WONDERFUL!! Best
thing I ever did for myself.
— chancie
Click Here to Return