Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Waiting time on Lap Band surgery



Recommended Posts

Hi all! Just starting on my adventure of joining "The Lap Band" group! Went to see the dietician day before yesterday. And I will see the Dr. in a week. Can you tell me about how long from the initial visit that you received the Lapband?:confused2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It took me about 3 months to get the lap band. The first thing I did was to attend a seminar. After that it went rather quickly. My insurance was great also, so I did not have to do the six month diet like a lot of others.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

From the first consult with the surgeon to having surgery took about six or seven weeks. Altogether with referrals, insurance approvals, other appointments, ect. it took about four months. I really think it depends on if you are paying or covered by insurance, what your insurance requires for prerequisites for surgery (sleep studies, nutritionists, ect.) and also how booked up your surgeon is, and also what your surgeon's requirements are......it sounds as if you almost there though, good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My Surgeon said he'd have me ready in 8 weeks..well l'm at 12 weeks now, still waiting for my insurance company to say OK..appartently they are usually the biggest hold up...no reason for them to move fast l guess:redface:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

3 weeks to wait for the seminar; 1 1/2 months to wait for first appointment (I did the psych eval and pulmonary eval in there; after the seminar, everyone and their uncle called for appointments, and I waited until 11:00 or so on the Monday following to call in.); 4 weeks to wait for insurance approval; then, I didn't want to have the surgery for another month after that (travel, medication scheduling). So for me, 4 months.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Started my process april 5th and I will be banded sometime in November. 8 months :unsure:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, it has taken me (so far) since November 2007....which included initial consultation with surgeon, a slew of testing (stress tests, endoscopy, upper GI, psych etc.) supervised diet of 6 months, diet history and finally letter of surgical necessity. I finally have my date of Sept. 2 (only because I have to be out of the country in Aug. and the docs do not want you out of the country for atleast 6 weeks after the surgery.

My insurance (cigna) required the 6 months supervised physician diet, or else the process would have gone easier.

Hope this helps you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went for my first evaluation and consultation April 22 and was banded July 10. Much of that time was waiting on insurance approval. I have UHC and they denied my claim the first time and we had to submit an appeal. After waiting the required three weeks for the appeal to reviewed, we called and they never received it so it had to be submitted again. After another two weeks, I got the approval on June 20. During that waiting period, I was able to have all the tests and evaluations done so was ready to go as soon as my doctor had an opening. I'm so thankful I didn't have to go through the six months of doctor visits to discuss my weight.....I've done that for years! Good luck to you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Liz R

      Trying to update my ticker - I'm down 100 pounds!! 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • alisasings

      I joined BariatricPal in 2008 & I FINALLY made the descision to have WLS!! I'm so excited & not sure what I need to do to get the ball rolling, but I made an appointment with my PCP for 7/19. It's a start I guess.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Elnaz

      Losing weight is my dream
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • OhMyGawdItzKla

      I joined yesterday when I was struggling with this preop diet... 
      It typically comes and goes, the hard times and easier times. I'm on day 6 of 14  shakes, water, sf Popsicles and jello. And I might actually be losing my mind. But, oh dear lord has the fear set in. Not about the surgery itself, but life afterwards. If I feel this crappy on the preop diet, am I going to feel like this forever after? 
      I know most of the answers are no, not forever. It might be worse after for a while, then get better. I know it's a more of a mental challenge than physical after the first couple weeks of healing. I get all of that. But I'm starting to feel scared about losing myself afterwards. 
      It might be my hormones or desire to chew something salty talking.. It may go away soon or tomorrow.. I can hope, anyway. But right now.. The fear is real. 
       
      And this liquid diet can bite me. 
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Fear is normal, but if it makes you feel any better, I'm 4.5 months post-op and the pre-op diet was by far the hardest part of the whole process. There will be challenges and a lot of new things to learn, but I can honestly say at this point I feel so much more "back to normal" and was even able to go on a week-long vacation with my kids without stressing over it. It's so worthwhile.

      2. OhMyGawdItzKla

        @NickelChip This actually does make me feel better! Thank you so much! After the onslaught of Covid, we've all had to deal with a "new normal", so I know it's possible. It's just the fear and frustration in this moment that makes me question if I can find another "new normal" afterwards. The thought of just a few more months seems daunting some times, but I really do appreciate input and real experience. I'll use that to get me through for a few more hours! LOL. Thank you so much! And I'm glad everything is going so well for you! ❤️

    • mamabear30106

      I started my 10 day pre op diet yesterday I need flavor!! I'm not big on the chocolate protein shakes so I just got to use up what I have was thinking about freezing it to make it like a ice cream so its something I can chew a little. Idk this is hard but I know I can do it just need to find new things to try 
      · 1 reply
      1. JennyBeez

        You can try. I've read other people have had good results with protein-shake popsicles, etc. My personal experience with it? Sucked.

        I tried making 'fudgesicles' with a couple different flavors of a premade shake, as well as a protein powder I blended myself and all of them came out revolting? The powder ones, all the protein sunk to the middle; the premade shakes, the popsicle had a disgusting texture and the protein seemed to leave a weird fluffy film on the outside? I couldn't stomach it.

        Maybe look into flavoring additives? I was able to have sugar-free coffee /soda syrup flavorings, sugar-free drink flavorings and baking additives like almond, rum or pepperment extract. The extracts helped me the most as they added no extra sweetener.

        On the other hand, if you can get your hands on an unflavored/unsweetened protein powder, the syrup flavorings are perfect. I love to use Boost "Just Protein" (which is unflavored) with milk and a Chai-flavored sugarfree syrup.

        Good luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×