Woot & a Question

Hey guys - I had posted a few weeks ago about how my PCP had told me I was too young to get WLS and how I was afraid the surgeon would say the same.  Well, I went ahead and saw the surgeon - I actually only got to see the PA but that's fine with me for now - and she took no issue with my age.  She did mention that it was a good idea to get my PCP to back me up, so I made an appointment there with a different doctor at the practice.  She's known me since I was like 7 - I was fat back then, too - and she thinks it's a great idea.  What a relief.  She started me on a diet just in case my insurance wants a 6-month supervised one - I'm soooooooooooooo hoping they don't - and she was happy to see I was concerned about my health. So I guess all that worrying for nothing.  I've made all my other appointments aside from the psychologist.  The recommended one who accepts my insurance is on vacation until Monday- boo.  I'm just hoping I don't get too many roadblocks along the way. I have a question, too - how long did it take you guys from start - talking to a surgeon and deciding you definitely wanted WLS - to finish - the surgery itself? 

WLS first crossed my mind in mid-June (I think) 2006, had my surgery August 21, 2006.  So 2-2 1/2 months from concept to completion.

THat is great news!

 

I went to my Seminar on June 6th, and had my surgery on Sept 7th, Not sure when the first time i saw my surgeon was.   But from the first step to the 'last' was almost 3 months to the day!

Wow..mine took much, much longer! I  I started my journey in Jan of 2006. I saw the surgeon a few months later, then after that we thought my surgery would be in October of 2006. However, my at that time insurance denied me. (BOO on them) We had Aetna at the time.  So, after switching to BCBS in Jan of 2007. We reapplied for the surgery. And found out in late Feb that I was approved! (WOHOO!) I had to go on a special diet and what not.. then I had my surgery in Late May. So, start to finish almost a year and a half. Each person's journey is different though.  Best of luck!  Zandra

I saw my PCP about it on September 13th, I got approval from the insurance on October 18th and my surgery is tomorrow...November 8th.  So a little less than two months for me.

 My Insurance does not cover any type of WLS so I Self-Paid...roughly $23,500 (worth EVERY Penny)

I decided in July of 07 that I would have surgery...In three weeks I attended the seminar,  had my Psyc eval, Nutritional Eval, Dr.'s Assesment and Lab work.  On 8/14 attended one mandatory support group meeting and THEN  I had surgery on August 20th, 2007

In 2006 I had done a 7 month Drs. diet...So that was done.

So it only took a month. Once I decided i was ready...I am guessing an insurance company could have taken up to an extra 6 weeks.

 

I wanted the surgery for two and half years before I actually had it! I changed jobs twice trying to find an insurace to pay for it! Finally, I said screw it all, went back to school for a second master's and used the money to pay for the surgery in August of 2006! I paid $15,000.00 worth every single penny! Holli

Hey, congrats on wanting to get the WLS.  Mine is a interesting one...I started out in Aug 06 wanting the surgery and I went to see my surgeon.  They then told me that my insurance BCBS of MN required 1 year of physician supervised diet.  So I started on the diet.  I went 6 months and just gave up, I was tired of working on another year for it.  So, jump forward another 7 months and I decided I wanted to pursue it again.  Well, low and behold, in Jan 2007, BCBS of MN changed their requirements to only 6 mths (WOO HOO)....which i had already met.  So I went and saw my surgeon again, and Tuesday I finished my psych eval, and all my paper work goes in to BCBS tomorrow for approval.....so hopefully within a week or two I'll have my approval letter.....and my surgeon is scheduling for end of Dec beginning of Jan right now, so hopefully I'll get a GREAT christmas gift.  :) :) Good Luck Thomas

That is weird, because I am BCBS of MN and they approved me in less then a week in the summer of 2006.

Thanks for all the responses guys :o)  It's reassuring to see so many people getting everything done within a few months - I might not be able to stay on my dad's insurance come my birthday in March and my school's insurance has an exclusion clause on WLS. 

And for those who had to wait a long time and those who had to self-pay - you should be proud of yourselves.  I don't know if I'd be able to do either of those things, not sure I have the resolve - or patience.

Good luck to everyone who's posted so far :o)