Hi there.

I have Aetna insurance and decided to do the 3 month program through my surgeon's office. My last appt. will be December 1. I am really trying to get my surgery before the end of the year. I have been for my psych eval, surgeon visit, dietician, exercise coach, etc. but they didn't mention any pre-op testing like blood tests or upper GI, etc. Does this happen after I am finished with the 3 month program? Is it a realistic expectation to try and have this completed by the end of the year? I have emailed my coordinator at the surgeon's office to put the bug in her ear.

I don't want to get to the end of the 3 month program without knowing that I had another step (if there is one)

Thanks for all the help !

I didn't have an upper GI; bloodwork was scheduled once I got a surgery date.

I think it's probably not realistic to expect surgery by the end of the year. I started the process in early July, and was banded mid-January.

I was approved in November, but December surgeries were limited because teachers being banded on winter break had booked their surgeries months in advance. That, and the surgeon took time off for the holidays, as well.

The surgeon's office will guide you, impeccably, through the steps--I really don't think you have to worry about important tests falling through the cracks. But you do need to be aware that the process can be slowed by things like holidays.

My seminar was August 5th and my first appointment with my surgeon was August 26th. I have Aetna too and I decided to do the 3 month history with them as well. I have already done the psych eval, the nutritionist appointment, and gotten all the paperwork from my primary physcian. The last appointment I need to finish is the fitness appointment. My final diet history appointment is scheduled for Oct 7th and my paperwork should be submitted for approval then. As long as everything still goes smoothly, they said I could have a surgery date as early as Nov 1st. Right now my tenative date is Nov 15th just because they are giving me more time for approval but said they can move it up if the approval comes back quickly and I am ready to move forward. I've been cutting back my calories, cutting down (almost cut out) sodas and I have been trying my best to excercise although it makes my knees hurt. I haven't been this motivated for alifestyle change before and with the support I get from people on here and at my doctor's office it is just making me more sure that I am making the right decision and that I will succeed.