The whole process for me took maybe a month counting the time I had to go to my PCM to get referrel then docters offfice contacted the nutritionalist who did phone interview then got aprroval a week later for the surgery got my surgery Aug. 3rd the only money I was out was the $25 ambulatory surgery cost also got doc. to keep me in hospital for one night because my hubby is currently in Iraq and it felt good knowing I had IV and the nurse there if needed if any more questions feel free to ask away