Question:
Will needing Gall Bladder Surgery hasten approval for WLS?

I have been diagnosed with gall stones, my WLS surgeon is requesting approval for WLS and gall bladder removal to be done with one surgery. Will this shorten the time it normally takes waiting for approval from my insurance ?    — nay_nay45 (posted on December 28, 2002)

December 28, 2002
I doubt it will shorten the approval process. I had to wait 2 months from my first gallbladder attack to the time I had my WLS. They would have allowed me to have the GB surgery back during the attack time but the WLS is elective and they would not move it up. I chose to have the 2 ops down at once. I now wish I had had my GB out back when I had the attack.
   — Nell C.

December 28, 2002
Hi Renee. It should not shorten the time in waiting for approval. But, if the WLS is denied, it would be cheaper for you in the long run to have them done at the same time. That way all of your other expenses would most likely be covered (facility, meds, etc) and all you would have to pay for besides deductible and coinsurance (if applicable) would be the specific WLS charges. Good Luck
   — roryleigh