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How long is the wait for surgery after first doctors visit?



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I just saw my bariatric surgeon for the first time on November 12th. I'm hoping surgery isn't going to be too far off, like 6 months. What are the next steps? They already told me my insurance will cover 80%. Is that good? Sorry for all the questions. Excited and scared!

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Its completely different for everyone. I have uhc. I saw my surgeon for the first time on oct 5th. I have surgery on 12/14. I busted my ass to get everything done and i was required a 6 month medically supervised diet, however i got lucky that they accepted my 80 pound loss from a year ago. Yes, i lost 80 on my own. And gained back 90. That was my last straw.

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To many variables to tell. It all depends on when you see your surgeon, what sort of pre-op testing he wants, what sort of pre-op testing insurance requires and how fast he schedules. It could be as short a 1 mth and as long as 1 year.

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I have waited almost 9 months. At first I was SO bummed but now I am so glad that I had this time to prepare. Each person's journey is unique to them. So is the journey of how much weight we lose and the amount of time it takes us. The important thing is to support each other and remember that if we do what we are asked to do, we will all make it to the goal line. After we get there and maintain for a few years, the differences in how long or short it took us to get there won't seem that important. Just that we made it and stay there! Good luck on your individual, unique journey.

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Quickest ways to get it done are self-pay or go to Mexico.

With my insurance, I had my first consultation in late August, then 3 months supervised diet and pre-op testing, the app sent in to insurance (BCBS Federal Employee). I was approved in two days (which is fast - some people agonize for weeks with an insurance delay here), then scheduled on the surgeon's first available date, which was three weeks out. So altogether, it took from late August to late December, four months.

Everybody's insurance is different, depending upon what your employer has arranged.

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Congrats on taking the first step. For me, it took about 8 months for me to meet all of the requirements for my surgery. It just depends what your insurance requires (most require a 6-month "monitored weight loss" program with your surgeon's office as a minimum) and also how far out your surgeon is scheduling. Once I met all my insurance requirements I had the surgery scheduled within the next month. Good luck! And yes, I think insurance covering 80% is great seeing as a lot of policies won't cover it at all.

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    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

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    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
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      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
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      1. NeonRaven8919

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