Signing consent on September 12

I have gone through all the steps with Dr. Cobean and I am scheduled to sign my consent on September 12. Does anyone have an estimate of how long it is between signing and getting a date? I have Anthem and I'm pretty sure they will approve me immediately. This process has taken me more than 2 1/2 years and now that it is getting closer, time seems to be crawling. I am having my surgery in Portland (Dr. Cobean), it is a revision from a failed VBG to an RNY. I live in Presque Isle so I am hoping that I can have whatever pre-op testing needs to be done at the hospital here and that the Anesthesiologist will be willing to see me the morning of surgery. It is getting hard (and expensive) to travel 6 hours one way for a 1/2 hour appointment. If anyone has any advice for me at this point, I would love to hear it.

I signed my consent on May 23rd 07 and my surgery was scheduled 4 weeks later.  They will schedule a tentative surgery date even before getting insurance approval.  I think mine only took about 3 business days to get approved by Harvard Pilgrim. 2 weeks later I had my preop testing (drew blood, weight taken, ekg) and I met the anesthesiologist the morning of surgery. Don't worry, it will happen for you!