Questions about Surgery dates!

Hey guys! I don't know if you all can help me, but I am in the phase of loosing my 10% of my body weight before the OK of surgery.  I turn 26 in August and my insurance will change and will probably not cover me for this type of procedure. Do you guys know about how long it takes for them to schedule a surgery date after you hit your pre-op? Or is it different for everyone depending on your doctor? Thank you guys in advance! 

It's hard to say honestly. Every program is different mine required psyc eval, 6 weeks of lifestly classes, 8% weight loss pre surgery, plus 4-6 weeks they book out to allow for insurance to approve.. i know every program is different though.

It depends on your insurance company and your surgeon.  Does your insurance company require pre-approval for WLS?  If so, when  will your surgeon submit your info to insurance?  And how long does your insurance company typically take to respond (call them and ask)?  Then, how far ahead is your surgeon booked?  If he's not very busy, he could get you in very quickly after approval.  If he's real busy, though, it could be a couple months before you can get in for surgery.

I've been reading all these forums about insurance, and to tell you the truth I have no idea. I have Kaiser Medical, and have never had to deal with approving of anything. I see the surgeon on the 21st. Would this be a good time to ask him? I feel so lost in all this talk about insurance approval and whatnot, it gets so over whelming! =( 

 

 You are absolutely correct: All centers and or doctors are different in deciding your surgery date.

Tell them your situation and they may possibly get you where you want to be for the surgery sooner.

There are pre-op tests and checks you do, and if you have completed them too you should not have to wait much longer.

 Best wishes.

Good morning - I recommend calling the surgeon's office manager and asking how far the doctor usually books out.  Ask "from start to finish, how long does the process usually take"?   In my case, I had 3 pre-op appointments done and out of the way even BEFORE I had any appointments with the surgeon.  If there's anything you can get done before your appointment - do it!

Best of luck to you - finger's crossed for sure!

Sandie

Does the insurance require the 10% loss or does the surgeon? if it is the surgeon,I would find a surgeon who doesn't require this.

 

There is no way to tell how long it will be to schedule after you lose the 10%.

GL

Good question. I did not have to lose 10% and I started at over 300 pounds.

At my hospital you are assigned a case manager. She/he work with you to make sure your approved by insurance and you meet the surgeons requirements. I only had to lose 10 lbs. (I was 327 lbs.) I had to go to a sleep study and ended up on a Cpap, had a cardiologist check up, had a colonoscopy, a 4 hour psych eval. On my own I had my gyn annual checks. So I knew everything was covered head to toe. Oh and I had a ultra sound to check out my gallbladder. He took my gallbladder, and said it was the worst he had seen. I had no idea anything was wrong with it.

Thank you all for your responses!  I know at some point I will lose my gallbladder too since all of the woman in my family have lost their around the age of 40. 

I will definitely call the Bariatric center and see what I can get done before the appointment. If I remember correctly, I just have to be up to day on all of my appointments and possibly do a blood test. But again thank you all!  Here's to a new start!