Hello everyone!

I am really thinking about getting banded...I am in Michigan and live in Royal Oak and my insurance will pay since I have been in the Beaumont Wieghtloss program for 6 months. I have only lost 15 pounds:(....So here are the questions...what is the typical timeline to get the procedure and what things need to be done before?

Thanks!

The timeline depends on so many different things including surgeon, office/program, insurance type, how booked up your surgeon is, how fast you can get in for preop testing, etc. I was banded at a "BCBS Bariatric Center of Excellence" so it didn't take anytime for me to get approved. My surgeon had a relationship with BCBS so the approval was almost automatic. I can't remember all of the preop tests/appointments but there were a lot, including 2 sleep studies, dietician, psych, pulmonary/lung, anesthesia, ultrasound, upper gi, group nutrition session, etc. There may have been a few others, but I can't remember now, but as I said, the amount and type of testing varies with each doctor/program. I went to an intro seminar at the end of April I think and had surgery mid-June. So a little less than 2 months? My surgery was also postponed for a week (long story...it was originally scheduled for June 11 2009). I probably could've done it faster but I was in grad school and needed to wait until I graduated to have the surgery. I started my preop diet right after graduation basically. Luckily, you've already taken care of the 6 month diet which some insurance company's require. So that will knock a big chunk of time off of your "wait time".

The banding center you choose should have all of this information available free pre-op. Many give free monthly seminars to inform potential banders of everything they need to know. It is also a great place to get straight answers from doctors. I am a guest speaker quite frequently at my docs seminars & I find that hearing from doctors & real patients really helps put people at ease about the whole process & get a lot of your insurance questions answered.

Hopfeully the center you choose has this. I would suggest you choose a center that has great comprehensive follow up care. Nutritionist, counselor, exercise phisiologist, & monthly support groups. Follow up support makes a world of difference. This is a journey and you need friends & support.

Congratulations on the 15 pounds and I hope that if you decided to get the assistance of a lap-band that you'll be happy and successful.