Can i speed up this process???

I had my first information session oct 4th i believe. My program says it takes 4-6 months before surgery. My 6 week lifestyle change classes are booked and my last one is Dec 27th. After than i only have my psyc eval which i hope to get an appointment within a week of being done with the lifestyle classes. I have been stressing myself out over all of this... i have 16 more pounds to lose and that shouldn't be a problem but the fact that my deductible of $4,000 restarts March 31st and my current enrollment ends March 31st UNLESS i average 20 hours a week min and right now i have an average of 21.53 so i am concerned. How could i talk about this with my center and would they be willing to work with me? Technically my end of everything should be done by the 1st week of January the latest ideally FEB would be a perfect month because like i said benefits end March 31st. So after the psyc evail i only have meeting with the director and surgeon and then getting a date.. April 4th would be 6 months but i am hoping i fall between the 4-5 month mark.. is this possible? How should i approach this subject with my center?

I would just explain to them the situation and find out what tests and or doctors you could see while you are doing the classes. I'd call and get the psych exam scheduled now so you know you can get in right after that class. If they want you to go to a cardiologist and a pulmonologist for clearance like mine did those clearances are typically only good for 30 days I was told so ask them when would be a good time to schedule them to cut out as much time as possible. Perhaps the week after with the psych eval.  I'm sure they'll be willing to work with you the best they can.

Yeah i really hope they work with me because i am kind of in a huge bind right now time wise. I hear the time it takes to meet with my surgeon/medical director and the fact they wait over 2 weeks for insurance approval puts the process out longer.. i need to figure out something to make it not so long. I am going to call the mental health place tomorrow and see if they will schedule me a appt as soon as i am done my lifestyle classes dec 27th so maybe the next few days after that would be great!

Why do you have to wait until you're done with the classes to do your psych eval?

I would just explain the situation to your surgeon's office and see what they can do.  They can't do anything about how long your insurance takes to approve surgery.  But they should be able to schedule your appt with the surgeon in an timely manner - if that appointment needs to be after you've finished the classes, can't you go ahead and schedule it now so it could be right after you finish the classes?

Hi Kelly.....I am in the same program as Laura.
The program that we are in has a very precise protocol.  They make us wait until after the Lifestyles Changes classes to do our Psych. Eval.  to make sure we took in and "got" everything that was taught.  I agree....she should be able to at least book the appt for the psych eval now, knowing when the class will end, but everything else happens on their schedule. 
After EVERYTHING is completed, psych. eval included, the medical director of the program sees you to make sure everything is done and no furtther tests need to be performed.  SHE then approves for you to move on and see the surgeon.  This appointment usually takes a couple of weeks.  (in my case, 6 !!)  Once you see the surgeon and she clears you for surgery, the office will not book any surgeries closer than 4-6 weeks.  This is to allow for the time it takes for all the paperwork to be done and submitted to the insurance company, and the insurance company to process the approval. 
Personal example..........I was cleared by the medical director for moving on to the surgeon July10.  My appt with the surgeon was August 22.  RNY on Oct.2.
Not a quick process, but very very thorough.
Hang in there Laura!!!
Just keep mentioning that your insurance is set to re-set March 31 and you need to have surgery done before this date.  Be a squeaky wheel!!

I am trying Karen but man is this stressful.. i've been stressing everyday about making sure my hours maintain over 20 "just in case" The thing is if they don't i lose my insurance all together and then i am out of luck. The end of December i could have everything done then hopefully i don't wait more than a week to see the medical director... then hopefully not more than 2 weeks for the surgeon.. then the approval hopefully no more than 2-4 weeks that still puts me at middle of February early March.. but they did say it could take FOUR months lol.. let's hope i can make that mark... i will be talking to them on the 30th in person. I really need to move this along.. doesn't help that the lifestyle classes skip a week either. Wish i could have gotten into the Oct 22nd one... but then i would have still been put a month behind because i would have missed that support group.

Hoping this all works out and they work with me otherwise i may be out of luck as far as ever having this surgery anytime soon

Yay 3 more days until my nutritionist visit. 16 more pounds until WLS goal met... and i had my ekg done which came back normal