I was wondering...

For those of you who have had your surgery approved- how long did it take from your first informational meeting until the date your surgery is set up?

I have been thinking of doing this for a long time, was recommended actually six years ago by my doctor after I had my daughter.  I now am ready to do it and have an insurance plan that will pay 100%  (in theory, I know :)  )

Thanks much!

Nobody so much wants to answer my question...so I'll clarify...it's a financial question based on my plan.  I am scheduling to go to an informational meeting once I decide where I definitely want to have this done- but timing will dictate my real possibilities with insurance.

I went to Unity in Fridley, I went to the info Meeting December 15th 2006 had my first nurse appointment January 3rd I believe 2007 and was approved in early March so I could have had surgery as early as April.  But I waited til August 23 2007.  Every insurance is different with the time it takes and the criteria you need to meet prior to surgery so hopefully this will help you a bit.

Kristi

 

Patience, grasshopper...   Please don't think that no one wants to answer your question, you need to allow time for people to come online and respond - it's not an instantaneous kind of situation.

As for me?  I went to PNC's information meeting in mid-December of 2006.  Sent in the application packet I picked up at that meeting in mid-January of 2007, had my first appointment (in-take) on Feb 5th, and had my surgery on April 27 of 2007.  So a little over 3 months from application to surgery.  I'm sure others will share their experiences too, and I'm sure there's a PLETHORA of different time frames from start to surgery! 

Good luck to you!!

Thank you!  I am trying to decide between PNC and Fairview Southdale.  I think my impatience comes from having finally made a decision that was first put in front of me...well, almost seven years ago now.  I let fear keep me from taking even that initial step.  I do have an appt with a nutritionist as I thought I would try a supervised diet approach...however I think that I am at a point where it's beyond what a "diet" will do for me.

anyway, thank you.  It's enlightening to read all of the stories and experiences on here.

Impatience is normal. 

When we come to the decision that this is OUR answer, we want it done YESTERDAY!

When we have surgery, we want to wake up in the hospital and be 100 pounds down already!

It's worth the wait...  Trust me on that. 

I don't know much about PNC, but when I started this process I was going for RNY, and was approved with a date with Dr. Benn at FSWLS.  I have since decided that a different procedure is a better choice for me, and switched surgeons because Dr. Benn does not perform the one I want, but I really had a great experience with Dr. Benn and the FSWLS team.  Had I decided to continue down the RNY path, I would have been very happy with them.  Hope this helps, good luck!
-Sarah 

I started in March, I go to Dr. Benn and fairview southdale weight loss....and they sent in everything last thursday to my insurance...so I am just waiting on that...its a great office to go to..I love them.

I had to do 3 months of dietician appts and switch insurance. So total about 6 months.

My info session was mid-Jan 2009. I had to go through all the appointments my WLS office required plus what my insurance required. I was done with my appointments last month. Now I'm just waiting for insurance approval.

Most of the responses I got were that the surgery will happen around 3-6mons after the info session, unless you're a self pay and then the process seems to go more quickly without the insurance loop holes. Have you called your insurance to find out if they have any requirements (supervised diet, etc) or other things you need to do for coverage?