total time from seminar to banding

[ruthpets 80]

How long did it take from first going to a seminar to the actual banding procedure? I am going to a seminar next week, will most likely be self-paying.I am 43, 5'9 @250 ponds w/a bmi of 37 but a family history of heart disease & diabetes. I also have high cholesterol.

I am so worried I won't qualify but I am sicking of living this way!

Any thoughts/encouragement are appreciated. This is a great forum!

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

I didn't go to a seminar. I went to a personal consultation on Januay 2 and had my surgery on February 10. This may be skewed as a comparison because I was self-pay and knew I would be self-pay when I went to the consultation, so there was never any interaction with insurance to deal with.

As for qualifying, many insurance companies have a minimum BMI that you must have been at for a certain amount of time. My best friend had to have a BMI of 37 for 3 years (she didn't), so she ended up a self-pay. I'd say call your insurance company, make sure they cover the procedure and then ask for their requirements. That way, you start out well-informed on that part.

[june09bandit 0]

It depends a lot on your doctor and what his specific requirements are. Most of the hoops we all jump through are to satisfy insurance requirements. My experience - as soon as the insurance was approved, they wanted to schedule surgery 2 weeks later. That would have been in the middle of my vacation, so I had to put it off 2 more weeks so that I could avoid the preop diet while in Mexico!

Good luck to you! We all see the band as a tool to start life over and live healthily every after.

[2009LB 0]

I had seminar in early April and my surgery date is early June (a little over two months). I am self-pay too so it made the process a lot quicker. However, you might have to be cleared for certain things prior to surgery which may delay the process.

[ruthpets 80]

Thanks so much for your esponse (and to the others who responded as well!). I just had a complete physical/bloodwork done so maybe this won't be part of a possible delay...Thanks, again!

[JosieK 120]

hi

i went to my seminar on wednesday and had the operation on friday.

i was also self pay and healthy

that's the only way to go.....for me! less time to think about things.

[ruthpets 80]

Wow congrats on your weight loss and best of luck w/your tt and lift!!! You are gonna look amazing and feel even better, I bet! Thanks for your response and GL tomorrow!!

[Lady Lap Band 71]

I attended my seminar 12/8/2008 and am being banded 6/19/2009 so exactly 6 months, 11 days! It flew by so fast with all the things you have to do prior. It might be faster for you if you are self pay!

[BigAli 0]

I went to the Seminar on Feb. 24 and just got my date today, I will be banded on June 22nd. Big Ali

[RUKidding 0]

6 Weeks! Seminar last week in April, consultant/psych exam May 8, will be banded June 4th. Could have been May 18th but I couldn't arrange to get out of work.

Lisa