Question:
How long does it take from the initial consultation to the surgery date?
— Shauna247 (posted on June 3, 2007)
June 3, 2007
For me, about 3.5 weeks.
— jammerz
June 3, 2007
I had my first consult July 18 and had surgery October 18. Thats 3 months
start to finish. I think it depends on your insurance and their
requirements..Lori
— Lori S.
June 3, 2007
WOW, the two responders before me were very, very fortunate! I had my
initial consultation in February of 2006 and am having surgery this coming
Thursday, June 7th of 2007!! Honestly, it all depends on the requirements
of your insurance company. My insurance required an 18 month doctor
supervised diet. I have learned through this process that a three or six
month diet is actually more common, but you never know. You need to
contact your insurance company and find out what they require before you do
anything else. Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky ones who only needs
three months! Good luck to you! Martina
— Martina B.
June 3, 2007
I had Blue Cross PPO, was approved before I ever saw my weight loss doctor,
and it was 2 months from start to finish for me. The approval took 3 days.
It's all according to your co morbities and your insurance company. Good
luck
— Diane C.
June 3, 2007
My initial consultation was May 13, and I am approved and scheduled for lap
band surgery on June 13. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield federal. It was
very quick!
maryannh
— Mary Ann H.
June 3, 2007
July 2006 I went to his seminar, first appointment - just to see the
nutritionist - was in October! This with this was I should not have just
waited for their call, as they told me to do.
Saw Nutritionist again in November and then again in February - which is
when I'd finally just given up. Of course, that was when she approved me
---------- seems they wanted to hear I was being perfect, which I've never
been, but I told them I was. And my surgery was May 7th, 2007.
— LilaCheryl
June 3, 2007
started in Oct 06.......today is june 4 07...still waiting
— LouAB
June 3, 2007
it's all my ins co.....rotten AETNA! Most people get a ppo I got a ppu!!!
They denied me twice already and now I'm in appeal for the last time and I
had to hire attys to help this time around!!! I NEED THE SURGERY
— LouAB
June 3, 2007
Hi There, It really does depend on a lot of things...the area you live in,
the doctor's patient back-up, your insurance requirements, including
nutritional councseling, physicals, obesity support group session
attendance, psych exam, mini diet, extra tests like for sleep apnea, and
bloodwork. They can spread these test appointments over 2-6 mo and when I
had the surgery 5 years ago, it was not unusual for people to wait 9 months
to a year to get a date. With the increase in doctors who have trained in
this procedure, I believe it is easier to get an earlier time frame, but
your insurance is the key to how long you will wait. Best of luck to you on
your journey! xxx Kathy in Massachsussetts :0)
— Kathy A C.
June 3, 2007
I had my first consult in January 2007, and had my surgery in May. I have
Aetna and they require 12 weeks of nutrition classes, so you've got at
least a 3 month wait there.
Then the surgeon also required the following clearances to confirm you're
ok to have the surgery, and also to make sure you'll be successful
post-op:
- cardiologist (including an EKG, and a follow-up stress test if the EKG
shows anything)
- pulmonologist (including a sleep study and pulm function test)
- psychiatrist
- an EGD procedure so they can look into your stomach and see if you have
gastritis or reflux
I know some BC/BS insurance plans require 6 months of nutrition classes, 1
class per month.
The bariatric program I used has the nutrition classes right there, as part
of the bariatric program. mostly they were going over good eating habits,
your post-op diet, and they even had one session that was a taste testing
of various protein supplements. Overall I thought the classes were good - I
knew just what to do after surgery.
Beth
— Beth F.
June 4, 2007
I started Aug 2006. My doctor was ready to schedule sugery in Oct or Nov.
I waited until Jan 2007 so I would have all my vacation and sick days.
Good Luck!
— barfiep01
June 4, 2007
I had the gastric bypass and my initial consultation was in December 2003
and I just passed this May.
— stephanienagy
June 4, 2007
well it depends on your dr. me i had my consulatation dec 5,2006. i had
requirment of getting test dont and seeing a psyc dr. prior to coming to
the consultation i brought in a file of my medical records. showing proof
that i was seeing a dr. for weightloss for 3 yrs. apon the consultation the
dr. saw my records and ask me when do i want the surgery i said asap. they
originaly gave me a date within a month. but i need to give my job moore
notice then that so i waited 7 weeks. insted of 4 wks. i live in nj. and i
never went to a seminar either
— yvettetas
June 4, 2007
I had my first appt with surgeon on May 31 2006. I had to do a 6 month
diet. I finishd my 7th appt with my internal med dr on december 1 2006,
got paperwork sent over and I had surgery December 8, 2006. I have Cigna
PPO in Texas. While waiting, I also had to do psyc eval, blood work, chest
xray and 1 visit with nutritionist. I also attended many support group
meetings, information sessions and read tons of profiles. I also read
several books on gastric bypass. I am now just short of 6 months out and
have lost 70 pounds.
Angela
— A Q.
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