Hi I am going to my first orentation tomorrow evening. Just wondering how long from start to finish did it take to get your operation date. I know it different for everyone, just wanted to get a general idea. Thanks in advance Lois

I got a date only 3 1/2 weeks after my first meeting with the surgeon. I already have a lap band placed, im just going in to have a revision because my port flipped. So i think it all depends.

Feb 08 went to seminar, Mar 08 surgeon's ofc appt, blood work and pysch eval Apr 08, Apr - Sep monthly appts with primary care for 6 mo. Sep 08 - primary care submitted letter of history to surgeon's ofc. Had blood work done again. Sep 08 surgeon's ofc submitted paperwork to ins co..BCBS. Sep-Dec 08 called dr's ofc weekly for status - nada. Jan 09 - went to primary care dr's ofc for status - next day surgeon's ofc called with surgery date of Feb. 16. Jan 10 - down 85 lbs. 15 lbs from first mini goal. I actually gained weight the summer of 08 to make sure I was over 100 lbs overweight with no other medical conditions...I wished I had known about this site then bc I would have worn and hidden some ankle weights or something. It felt like a long time and it's still a journey but worth it. It takes time to get used to the band and your body. Follow dr's orders. I didn't see any real results until about 3-4 mos after surgery. Good Luck!

At the seminar I attended, they said the main variables were insurance obstacles and intervening medical issues that might delay surgery.

I believe in one case there was a particular insurance that several people at the seminar had that required enrollment through a primary care physician in a 6 month "wellness" program before approval would even be considered.

It was also mentioned that an older surgical candidate with a number of comorbid conditions that would need to come under control before surgery, such as losing 100lbs to make surgery safer, would see a longer intervening time between the start of the process and actual surgery.

On the other hand, they gave an example of a relatively healthy patient, age 45, 100lbs overweight, with no payment issues (either fast insurance approval or self-pay) & minimal testing required could go as fast as 8 weeks from seminar to surgery.

My surgery date was one month out. I set it up when I went in for my initial appointment on 5 Dec 09. Banded 4 Jan 10. I did not have to go through an insurance agency, I paid up front.

I went to the seminar on October 26, 2009. I received approval on January 19, 2010. My surgery date is March 10, 2010.

i was very blessed with great insurance and an amazing dr. my first appt. was dec 16 and surgery is feb 2

good luck

I will be self pay and the whole process was less than a month. My surgery date is Feb. 11, 2010, I am so excited.