from consultation to surgery

[Mel Mel 0]

How long did it take from your initial consultation until your surgery? What did you have to do? I know it depends on surgery but what type of clearances can I expect? I know psych evals but how else do they follow you?

[HiMow 0]

How long did it take from your initial consultation until your surgery? What did you have to do? I know it depends on surgery but what type of clearances can I expect? I know psych evals but how else do they follow you?

One year and 3 months. I had to do the 6 month diet monitored by my PCP, psych eval, some sort of stomach biopsy that felt like a surgery in itself, dietitian appointment, loads of medical tests like ultra sound, ekg, blood, etc, lots of appointments with the surgeon. SEVERAL phone calls to the ins company (lets just say I memorized my policy number) Had to lose 10 % of body weight. Two weeks before the surgery all clear liquid diet. Thy will check your weight history for the last maybe 5 years to make sure you have been obese for a while and if you have diabetes or high blood pressure or some other things like that. Your family history. The surgeon has to write a letter of recommendation as well as your PCP. I think there was more but my brain isn't working very well on 300 cal a day

I think it took me a while because other than being overweight I am completely healthy.

Everyone says don't count on it taking less than a year.. and well, don't. They're right. And if not you can be pleasantly surprised.

[Mel Mel 0]

One year and 3 months. I had to do the 6 month diet monitored by my PCP, psych eval, some sort of stomach biopsy that felt like a surgery in itself, dietitian appointment, loads of medical tests like ultra sound, ekg, blood, etc, lots of appointments with the surgeon. SEVERAL phone calls to the ins company (lets just say I memorized my policy number) Had to lose 10 % of body weight. Two weeks before the surgery all clear liquid diet. Thy will check your weight history for the last maybe 5 years to make sure you have been obese for a while and if you have diabetes or high blood pressure or some other things like that. Your family history. The surgeon has to write a letter of recommendation as well as your PCP. I think there was more but my brain isn't working very well on 300 cal a day

I think it took me a while because other than being overweight I am completely healthy.

Everyone says don't count on it taking less than a year.. and well, don't. They're right. And if not you can be pleasantly surprised.

Oh wow! That is surprising. i was expecting maybe 3-6 months. I had no idea it would be about a year. Definitel helps. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me.

[TinaM 0]

depends on insurance really

HMO usually 6 months

PPO 3 months

mine was 7 months all in and I have an HMO

How long did it take from your initial consultation until your surgery? What did you have to do? I know it depends on surgery but what type of clearances can I expect? I know psych evals but how else do they follow you?

[btrieger 21]

Not banded yet but it's looking like it will be 5 months.

Initial consult was September 18th and I am hoping for surgery in early February.

[happymammaof2 0]

My initial consultation was November, 2009 and I wont be seeing the surgeon until after a 6 month 'training' period. I originally went to Geisinger in Danville, PA but chickened out 3 months into it. Then last spring I went to Hershey who denied me the sleeve operation. And now I am back at Geisinger. All three times, I was told the length of time was due to the insurance companies. But they agreed that it was a good idea to wait that long because of the lifestyle change that is necessary to do when we get banded (or any gastro surgery).

I for one am glad it takes that long because I am enjoying the learning aspect of it. I don't want to go through all of the surgery and then mess it up because I didn't have the knowledge to learn how to utilize the tool of having the lap band.

I guess it all depends on where you live and what insurance you have.

[kagead 0]

I went to my seminar on 11/24 and had my first appointment with the NP on 12/7. She told me that if all progresses properly, I can expect a March or April surgery date. I have BCBSIL.

Due to work obligations, I won't be able to be banded until May.

kagead

[adagray 1]

Just a little over a year for me, but I did not meet the insurance company's requirement for weight history and it took two appeals to finally get approval. If I had met all the requirements, it would've been more like 7-8 months.

If its any consolation, though, I consider the time it took to be time well spent because it really prepared me well for the surgery. I have no regrets and I feel 100% educated and have realistic expectations.

Edited December 21, 2009 by adagray

[baja pete 0]

I guess I am verry lucky. I decided I wanted to do it on November 17, 2009, I scheduled a consult for December 11, 2009, and I am having the surgery on January 7, 2010.

[MaryfromMI 5]

From my first PCP appointment telling my doc I wanted to do this to my surgery on January 4, 2010, it will be about 4 1/2 months. I didn't have to do the 6-month diet because my insurance doesn't require one if your BMI is over 40. During that 4 1/2 month span, I had to do blood work, sleep study, upper GI, psych eval., physical therapy eval, and a couple of visits to my surgeons office.

[sndycnrd 1]

5 months from seminar to surgery. That includes a 3 month medically supervised diet and all the other requried tests. Insurance approval took exactly 2 weeks from the time it was submitted. I have BCBS.

[dlm94 0]

If all goes well and I am banded on 12/29 as planned - it took 2 months. I have BCBS of MA and had a BMI of 43

[brat7169 0]

I had my consulation on October 9 and will be banded January 4th. No 6 month diet required for me, I am on Tricare.