How long did it take for you to get all of your ducks in a row..Seminar, doct's apt's, insurance, ect?

I started looking into it the first part of June and was banded the first week of August. It would have been quicker than that but I had issues with my doc's insurance lady.

Information session was May 26, 2010. I could have had surgery on Sept. 8, 2010 except I had a 9 day cruise booked for Sept. 9th. Had surgery on 9/27/10. Note that my insurance did not have any requirements other then BMI above 40 or BMI equal to or greater than 35 in combination with one or more co-morbid conditions AND Psychiatric evaluation

About six months. I made my decision before the surgeon's seminar, had my first appointment a few weeks later, and had an insurance-mandated 3-month supervision. Paperwork was submitted, and I was approved about 5 months from the day I registered for the seminar. My surgery was not for an additional month, however (due to holidays).

One year minus four days!

Informational seminar 09/26/2009

Banded 09/22/2010

Technically 5 years. I attended a seminar in 2005. Our insurance didn't cover it and there was NO way I could've come up with it out of pocket. In Fall 2009 I switched to my husband's insurance because they covered it. In February 2010 My husbands employer switched insurance companys. So with the NEW insurance company I had a 6 month waiting period. Got that done, March thru August, filed in September and I will be banded October 13th. FINALLY!!! Although I won't truly believe that it is complete until I wake up and they say everything went FINE.

My "to-go" date as of now is November 8th. I attended my first seminar around November 15th of last year. Because of my HMO and medical group I was required to do a 6 month medically supervised diet (December thru May) then there was some delay from my PCP office (surprise surprise) on referrals and such. Just finished all my pre tests about 2 weeks ago and see the PCP tomorrow for my medical clearance. The final surgeon appt (next week), final insurance approval and 2 week pre op diet will put me there! :thumbup: Finally...

I attended a seminar late November 2009. 1st appointment with the surgeon was January 2010. My insurance required 6 months of medically supervised weight loss (7, actually). Approved in August 2010. Surgery was September 7, 2010. Down almost 27 lbs, including pre-op diet.

It took me about 3 months from the date of my first Dr. appointment to get everything together and get approval from my insurance company. My surgery is scheduled for 10/19. Good luck!

well i researched for about three years beforei finally decided. From there, i made an appointment and that took about three weeks to get in. From there it was about two months...oct 12 is the day!

5 months....I went to a couple different seminars in April of this year to choose a doctor. Then, I had the insurance hoops to jump through. Finally banded on Sept 30th!

Six weeks.

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I'm starting the process right now, but its going fast. I went to the first seminar on 9/27 , I'm required to do a 3 month diet but I will be banded Mid to late December. So that's just 3 months! but it does depend on your insurance and what they require.

I went to the WLS seminar on June 15. Had my 1st doctors appointment on June 21, did the 3-month supervised diet. My surgery date is for October 15. I completed the 3-month diet in August, and was hoping to be banded in September, but my regular doctor took a little long to prepare the letter of medical necessity and that's what delayed my process.

I had my first consult April 4, 2010, and had all my requirements done for a Mid July surgery date, but I had a very hard time losing my pre-surgery weight. It was only 15 pounds. I was able to get 10 off, then I gained 3 more back, and my surgeon saw me in early September and said "You lost 7 pounds, that is great, keep it off and try to lose more and you will be fine" then they scheduled me for Sept 22nd.

I researched for about 2 years then started the process in September of 2009. I am now 2 days away from surgery, so it took a little over a year. Not typical since there was payment issues for my prep and keeping insurance coverage in the state of Massachusetts is H@*&!.....Although, once your there, none of that matters! Good luck!