Question:
How long from learning of surgery to having it preformed has it taken everyone?
I am very curious everyone's length of time from actually learning of surgery to you finally having it done. Was it a long drawn out process or were you approved in a flash? Did you have to fight your insurance co. or doctors? or was it simple and 'painless'? — Tracy L. (posted on November 27, 2002)
November 27, 2002
Tracy, for me, it was simple & painless. Day of surgery, 32, 5'5 and
304.5lbs. I started process in April of 2002. I had consult, nutrional
eval & psych eval and was approved by Healthnet in 5 days. I had my
surgery date by end of May (opted for 8-15). Could have had it earlier,
chose to wait.
— heathercross
November 27, 2002
hi :) i started in june and am having open RNY on jan 27th it would have
been a longer wait but i found a less busy DR to spped things up
— christine S.
November 27, 2002
It depends on the doctor and hospital that you are using. I called to make
an appointment for my initial consult in October 2001 and was given a date
of 4/25/2002. I was approved on 6/5, didn't receive my date until 6/10,
had my psych consult and nutritional consults on 6/19 and had my surgery on
7/17. There are 500 people at any one time waiting to have WLS at the
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania - at least that was the figure
quoted back in April. It may be larger now....JR
— John Rushton
November 27, 2002
9 months for me
— barbara A.
November 27, 2002
I researched it and thought about it for a year before I did it. Then one
day last January I found this site. I signed up and the next day someone
post op from here called me. She asked me if I had any questions and
recommended Dr. Valin. I had researched two other surgeons that I decided
not to go with before that. I called Dr. Valin office got an appointment
for March was in surgery on May 9th. When they sent in my insurance I was
approved instantly. It all happened really fast once I got the ball
rolling. I remember lying in the OR thinking this was just a crazy idea I
had a couple of months ago, how did I end up here? Now I am so glad I did.
I am below goal in only six months, and I never even thought it was
possible to feel this good!
— Linda A.
November 27, 2002
I saw the doctor in November, it took one week for the insurance to 'ok' my
surgery, then another month before I could actually get the surgery (Jan.
8, 2000). RNY open, I have lost 120 lbs. from 258, 5'3". [I gained 11
more pounds during that month eating everything I wanted and boy was it
fun, but I sure got sick of eating.]
— Betty Todd
November 27, 2002
I learned about the surgery in March... didnt look into a doctor till May
and had my operation in July.
— Valerie H.
November 27, 2002
I learned of wls back in July and had my surgery 6 days ago. It was really
simple for me.
— kandi S.
November 27, 2002
18 of the longest months of my life. Approval was a snap. It was the busy
surgeon that caused the delay. Hang in there. I am 10 weeks postop and
down 58#.
— Dana S.
November 27, 2002
Less than 3 months. I was very lucky.
— Traci A.
November 27, 2002
Research started in December 2001- surgery 3/20/2002~ It went fast for me-
I was lucky!
— ~~Stacie~~
November 27, 2002
hi there! :) research began 2 days beofore thanksgiving 2001,surgery was on
february 8 ,02. very fast! no problems! thank you god! :)
— carrie M.
November 27, 2002
I started research in September and Surgery is set for Jan. 7th. I really
didn't have any problems with the Insurance or getting in to see the
doctor. I guess I was lucky too.
— Elisabet B.
November 27, 2002
I first heard about the surgery about two years ago. It was just last year
that I went to the seminar, and decided to go through with it. I am now a
little over two month out, and as happy as a clam. Melody
— Melody D.
November 27, 2002
I started in depth research in October 2001. My date for surgery is
December 16, 2002, so that makes it about 14 months. I suppose I could
have sped things up a bit, but I think the extra time wasn't necessarily
all bad.
— Toni C.
November 27, 2002
I HEARD of surgery in 1976, and again in 1986. Then in 1993, I heard it
and the magic words that insurance MIGHT pay for it. Called that SECOND and
attended seminar within a week or two. Fought for 11 months against my ins
before finding another ins. Once I got the RIGHT ins, was approved &
on that table in 6 days. YIPPEE!10/5/94
— vitalady
November 27, 2002
only about 6 months from start of serious research to surgery date. BUT
considering that you are dealing with medicare/medicaid it may well take
longer.
— [Deactivated Member]
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