How Long Was Your Wait???

[JeriB 0]

I am going for my session Sept 10 and my consult Sept 14. I was wondering how long the whole process took for everyone. From consult to surgery. Also, what kind of testing needs to be done before surgery. I know that the session/consult will answer these questions but, I like to have a little knowledge ahead of time! Thanks!

[Maddysgram 6,159]

Everyone is different. It depends on your insurance, or if your self pay.

I have Aetna and had to go through 6mth Dr. Supervised diet, psych eval, nutrition class. The time really went by fast and it gave me a lot of time to research and study how the band REALLY works.

Best of luck to you!!

[suzeeq67 23]

5 months for me. could've gone quicker. But we had a summer vacation in between. My insurance doesn't require 6 month diet, etc. I am about to start my liquid diet very soon, last surgeons consult Tuesday! Woo hoo.

In total, I had to do the initial seminar, an initial surgeons visit for consultation/bloodwork. My physicians visit, my physicians physical, and a separate psych evaluation. Then pre-op testing - mine included bloodwork, X-rays, pulmonary (breathing tests) and an EKG. Then a visit with the surgery team and anesthesiologist. Oh and a nutrition class on lapband foods, Vitamins, etc. Whew!

So far so good, so excited! Good luck to you on your journey. Hope it goes by quickly.

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

[MrsJroChicago 32]

I have Blue Cross and it took 2 1/2 months from consult to surgery. Here is what I did:

-info session (early June)

-consult with surgeon (June 22)

-consult with psychologist (July 6)

-consult with nutritionist

-insurance approval

-consult with pulmonologist (July 24)

-nutrition class

-ultra-sound (august 6)

-started 15 day shake diet

-pre-op testing (August 15)

-final consult with doctor (August 20)

-Band day August 24!!

My doctor's group keeps you moving thru the process. Helps that I have Blue Cross who changed the pre-op requirements and didn't insist on months of diets pre-op. thry finally seem to realize that the surgery is what is life saving. I also didn't have any of the other co-morbities YET so that helped with the process. No extra doctors to release me for surgery. It was great because once I made the decision, there were few hurdles and not a lot of idle waiting.

Looking forward to sharing this journey. Good luck!

[NWgirl 574]

I have Anthem BCBS and did not have to do any doctor supervised diet. I went for my group consult on January 17 and was banded March 20. I received approval late February, but my surgeon was booked until late March.

The requirements by my insurance and by my Center of Excellence surgeon were:

- scheduled consultation with other WLS hopefuls going over types of surgery, expectations. We also took the psychologist test at this first meeting.

- metabolic testing

- sleep study

- initial complete blood panel, thyroid function, a week before surgery another blood panel was needed

- physical therapist visit

- dietician visit

- psychologist visit, including 400 question test

- surgical consult

- pre-op class

I got most of my testing done in the first two weeks after consultation.