Hello,

I've just started this process. I went to see a PCP for the first time in years just yesterday to see about getting the lap-band. (I went 2 years ago to a different doctor who told me fat people were just lazy and he would never recommend anyone for the surgery ). Anyway, the new doctor is much better and is going to check with my insurance. What I'm wondering is how long did it take you to get banded from the time you first visited your PCP?

If you are going through insurance, it is going to depend on your requirements. Mine was pretty straight forward, not a lot of requirements if you hit the BMI mark of 40. So, I went to the seminar on June 17th, found out what I needed to be approved from my insurance, and took care of all the appointments before I ever saw the surgeon. (I did go into his office when he wasn't there to get the ball rolling with the Medical Assistants and found out what they recommended to me to have before I saw the surgeon) Anyway, I saw the surgeon on July 2nd, and the actual hold up after that was waiting 10 days for my PCP to get to sign the paper releasing me for the procedure. (he only does paper work on the weekends, and the weekend before was 4th of July weekend, just my luck) As soon as he signed it though my surgeon's office sent the info to my insurance on Wednesday July 14th in the afternoon and they had the approval back first thing Monday morning, July 19th. Then my doctor's office put in a rush for my preop testing, (have I mentioned how great they have been!!!!) and I am having surgery Monday July 26th. If you are self pay, I can't see why it would take very long. You should just have to see the surgeon and any preop testing he requires I imagine. Good luck. I hope your process goes as smoothly!!!

Yes - mine was delayed just because I was on vacation. My longest wait was the period leading up to my surgical consult - everything else has been quick quick quick. As I said, the delay in my surgery date only had to do with my 3 week vacation.

Insurance approval is the pain. But I think that when you have a good doctor and they are organized and submit well, this can be made easier too. I realized some time in the process that they are fighting WITH ME to get approval - it is how they make their living, no?

I got banded pretty fast. I attended the seminar on June 9 and I was banded on July 21. I didnt have to do a 6 month supervised diet though.

I started looking into it the last week of May and my surgery is set for August 6th. I was lucky and it only took 8 days for my insurance to approve me.

Good Luck to you!