How long untill?

ChristinaDeguzman21
on 10/31/13 2:52 pm

I have a PPO insurance and have been referred by my PCP for Bariatric surgery.  Specifically VGS.  I have orientation on the 7th of Nov. and appt. with the surgeon on the 12th of Nov.  How long can it take before surgery is scheduled?  I know that requirements vary and I just want a ballpark figure. 

Any info is appreciated!

 

Thank you,

Christina

shoutjoy
on 10/31/13 8:16 pm - Culpeper, VA

Hi there,

 

Congratulations on your journey to good health!  There is no way of knowing how long.  Each case is individual and unique.  There may be some unforeseen setbacks, delays and tests that occur.  Just go with the flow and do your research.  Knowledge is very powerful as well as communication.  Keep up on upcoming appointments, set up your support systems (nutritionist, Life Coach, support group etc.) ahead of time.  Ask questions when in doubt.  Don't assume anything and be very proactive.  This is your journey, your path so pave it well and solidly.  Good luck!!

 

Clueless about weight loss and weight loss surgery of any kind.

    

        
ChristinaDeguzman21
on 11/2/13 12:56 pm

Thank you so very much.  I like what you say about the path.  It is my path and I will pave it well  angry

poet_kelly
on 10/31/13 10:52 pm - OH

It depends on how busy your surgeon is and on what pre op tests and stuff he requires and/or your insurance requires.  It could be a month, it could be eight months.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

Valerie G.
on 10/31/13 11:06 pm - Northwest Mountains, GA

It took a couple months to get appts with my PCP and Psych evaluation to get everything together before they submitted to insurance.  It took the insurance company 10 days to approve, but their policy is to give an answer within 30 days.  Once I had approval, it was 6 weeks before I had my DS.

Valerie
DS 2005

There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..
next to the mashed potatoes

TurnThePage
on 11/1/13 10:29 am, edited 11/1/13 10:29 am

Best to ask your doctor's office what their experience suggests the timing will be. It really varies widely.

Sometimes it is better to go slower. Give yourself time to fully understand and accept the changes that lie ahead of you and change many  habits than need to be acquired for your protocol  before surgery.   Live after WLS requires daily and lifelong focus.  Best wishes!

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version

on 11/1/13 1:27 pm - OH

Yes, ask your surgeons's office what to expect, because it depends on SO many different things.

Even with one surgeon, it can vary based on the time of the year, or from one year to the next.  I had my RNY with the same surgeon who did Valerie's DS, but I was on the table less than 3 weeks after I got my approval, but I know other people who had to wait 10 weeks from their insurance approval with our surgeon.

 

Lora

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

Sparklekitty, Science-Loving Derby Hag
on 11/3/13 4:09 am
RNY on 08/05/19

One of the big things that will determine the wait is your insurance company's requirement for a "doctor-supervised diet." You'll need to check in with a doctor (often your PCP) in each consecutive month. 2 months and 6 months seem to be the most common. While you're doing that, you'll also need to get other tests done-- psych eval, sleep study, cardiac test, maybe blood work, etc.

Once the diet is done, they'll need to assemble all of your paperwork and medical records (the insurance company often needs proof that you've been obese for ~5 years) which may take a bit. Then it can take about 2 weeks for insurance to decide if they'll approve. If they give the thumbs up, they can schedule a date, which depends on surgeon/hospital availability; from most posts around here, it seems like a lot of people get scheduled about 3 weeks out from their approval date.

Hope this helps!

Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!

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