Timeline from decision to go for it until surgery, how long?

Now that I have decided to have surgery, I'm curious as to when. Is it "necessary" to attend a free seminar? I hope to have mine by year's end.

I think it probably depends on your surgeon/surgical practice.  I made my decision earlier this month, and I will probably have surgery in December, after I go to all the classes and things that my insurance wants me to do first.  It's probably not a bad idea to attend the seminar, and you may get to meet your surgeon a little ahead of actually consulting with him/her.

Many surgeons require the seminar in order to even make a consultation appointment. Mine did, but I was glad because the seminar gave me a TON of great information and gave me a first glimpse of my surgeon so that I could form a first impression.

As for a timeline, I made the decision in November, seminar in December, consultation in January. I could have had surgery in March (my spring break - I'm a teacher) because I was able to quickly get together the 3 months of weight documentation that Cigna required. I ended up waiting until I got out of school, but had to reschedule to July after Cigna kept screwing around making us push things back.

Be ready to do some grunt work to get your insurance what they want. Find out immediately if your surgeon has an insurance specialist and let them do the submitting.

Good luck on your journey! I don't see why you can't have surgery by the end of the year, unless your insurance requires a long supervised weight loss period.

Thanks for the info.  I am scheduled to attend the seminar on 9/5, I'm just so darned excited/scared/nervous, I want it NOW!! But, I guess I can wait.  

I recently made my decision on the gastric sleeve.. my insurance requires me to do a 6 month supervised diet, before I can even meet with the surgeon (I chose him already though). I have already went to the seminar, and Im just finishing my first month with my primary care physician. Once Im done with the 6 months (febuary 1st!) Then I submit my surgery request... Then I will meet with the surgeon & take the necessary classes for him & if (hopefully WHEN) Im approved, the surgeon will give me a surgery date!!! Its so exciting... but seems like so much...

Hi,

My surgeon required the "information seminar" before they would book the Evaluation appointment that started the process.  I was also eager to start once I made the decision.  I went to the information seminar on Jan 14, and called on Jan 15th for the next available appointment which was January 17th.  I started my insurance-required 3 month pre-op diet that day, and had surgery May 1, 2013 - two weeks after completing the diet requirement. 

I am so glad I had my sleeve.  I'm feeling so much more mobile and more energetic.  The pain in my knees and back is gone, and I'm down 4 clothing sizes.  Its hard to believe after battling my weight for decades.  I'm finally winning.

I wish you the best in your weight-loss journey and hope you find your surgery as happy and successful.

best wishes,

Carol

I started in June.  I went to a seminar, and then my first appointment was in July with the surgeon.  I went to my first NUt class in Aug, 2nd one will be sept.  

I was going to be doctor for help in June, so that beings my time.  I have to be on a supervised diet for 6 months (not consecutive) I have counted and November will be month 6.  

I have already done the psychological review (did it this past Saturday) and I go to the pulmonalagist  on Tue  to rule out Sleep Apnea.  

Then I go on Thursday to my PCP for medical release letter, saying it will be fine. 

Then I go to the NUT classes, and hopefully be able to have surgery in December. 

I decided to do something, attended the seminar the following week.  My surgeon required it.  The whole process took me about five months from decision to surgery.  My insurance required psych eval, EGD, x-ray, non-stress test or something like that, pulmonary study which added an overnight O2 monitor.  I could have sped up the process, but I think I was probably dragging my heels a little.  I also used the time to lose weight and drop bad habits (like my pop addiction) prior to surgery.  SO glad I did.  Good luck with your journey!

I went to my seminar early April 2012, had my consult the next week, started my ins. 12 month program in May 2012,  and had surgery 6-25-2013.  

How quickly you can get it done will depend upon how many pre-surgical tests you need done, and any requirements that your ins. has. 

 

Good luck to you!

I went to my Informational meeting in June. I had my Intake meeting in July followed by my psych evaluation. I was not happy when I was told that I could not get in to see the nutritionist until Aug 19th! I so wanedt to get this process underway. I went home and after giving it some thought I decided that the delays have a reason. I took the time and started working on my addiction to food. I finally met with the nutritionist and now that I have started this stage (eating healthy and taking the nutrition classes) that I am so glad that I had that time. I am doing well with the eating and I am better prepared.  I decided to use any delays during this process to my benefit. I will save my energy to fight with the insurance company if needed. I hope to have my surgery done in about 6 months. That is what my medical plan requires. As others noted, contact your insurance company and find out what their policy is on Bariatric surgery including if they cover the Sleeve. Get it all in writing too! 

I am good friends with someone who had a bypass done. She admitted that she wished that she had done more "food/feelings" work before having the surgery.  She did experience gaining back some of the weight that she lost. Looking back on it she learned that she had not dealt with all the food thinking. She got stressed and ate to stuff/numb the feelings.  She gained back over 50lbs. She changed her thinking, got back to eating nutritionally, and lost the weight. 

I have found that I am someone who wants immediate gratification. That immediate gratification has me carrying around 100+ extra pounds. I decided that for this process, I am going to change things up!   

Just my two cents worth.