Hi Steph - I think it depends on you, your PCP, your surgeon, and your insurance company. You: This is the MOST important - Because you are in control of the steps that need to be taken. It sounds like you know about the steps and you're on your way. If you know the surgeon, look on their website for the steps. You do not have to wait for them to get the referrals for the tests, your PCP can do it also. Your PCP: Your PCP needs to be on board (sounds like someone is because you're on your way) to get the referrals. If you know what your surgeon needs from their website, tell your PCP; they will give your the referrals (blood work, urine test, ultrasound, EKG, Chest X-Ray, etc.). My PCP was surprised because most people let the surgeon's office do all the work for them. Take charge of yourself and it will be much faster. Your Surgeon: You may know some people who have used the surgeon you are looking at. I encourage you to search this site for more individuals, that was a HUGE help for me. That helped me to know the approximate time-line. He/she may have a requirement of 6 months dieting, although I don't think most do that any longer. You just need to show everything you've attempted. I put mine all on an Excel Spreadsheet. Your Insurance: Now, I hope you've already read up and made sure your insurance will cover this type of surgery. You can also look up on this site others with the same carrier AND surgeon to see the timeline. If you know they will cover with XYZ, then DON'T submit it to them until you have done XYZ... I've always WANTED WLS, but never thought I could actually do it until I met an old friend who had the surgery. I talked to her for the first time about WLS on February 4th. She told me the different steps. I had my surgery last Tuesday, March 27th. I took charge of my own care and got it done! I had a FANTASTIC surgeon and I'm feeling wonderful now too! Please keep us posted and Good Luck! Jill

It's pretty new that they are sending people home on the 2nd day. It was actually the evening of the 2nd day. They don't send everyone home at the same time. Those who are doing well, walking, etc. go home. Those who have a lot of pain, nausea, not walking, don't go home. Once I ate the broth, and everything was fine, I knew I was comfortable going home. (Yes, I had the blue dye, but the broth felt like "food".) I'm still feeling excellent. I have had no pain at all since I've been home, no pain meds, nothing. I was sore until today. Today I feel like myself, completely and totally like myself. However, it is a great excuse not to do all the housework. Honestly, my surgeon has been fantastic. He is the Medical Director of the Baratric Unit of this hospital - all they deal with are those coming out of WLS. I received FANTASTIC care! I AM SOOOO happy that I did this! Tomorrow, I go back to the doc's office and then I'll get to eat pureed food! YIPPEE!! Oh, and I've lost 13 pounds!

Hi Tema, Thank you so much for sharing part of your story with me and for your words of encouragement. I'm sorry that you went through this same frustration but glad to hear that I am not the only one who is experiencing this. Keep up the good work on your end! Thanks Again! , Robin

Hello Robin no 20lbs want be all that you lose but the body has just been shocked and needs to adjust keep doing everything you need to do and the weight will come off in no time it is not uncommon for a stall right now....I just had a revision and lost 15lbs in one week but my first surgery i lost 23lbs in one month and nothing the second month and i do mean nothing but after awhile that weight just dropped off me...So stay encouraged Tema

I still have some pain on my left side where most of my incisions are, and I'm also 12 days out. It is normal. Your body is still healing and adjusting to the changes. I hear it takes about 1.5-2 weeks to recover from the surgery, so just give yourself a little more time. Sherry