Most people know that most insurances require 6 months of supervised doctor visits by your primary physician. Anyone who had had to get these done, have you been approved for surgery and given a date - before or after the entire 6 month period?

Most people know that most insurances require 6 months of supervised doctor visits by your primary physician. Anyone who had had to get these done, have you been approved for surgery and given a date - before or after the entire 6 month period?

I was given a month of surgery estimate when I started the 6 months pre op requirement, assuming I would have lost the required 20 pounds and been approved by my insurance company. What actually happened was that my doctor's office submitted my papers for approval, even though I didn't lose the 20 pounds, I was approved and then received a surgical date.

Good luck! Joan

Depends on the doctor. I went through it with Kaiser about 2 years ago and ended up not doing it with them, but basically they wanted you to lose 50 pounds, then they'd say if they'd allow you to do it. But if you lost 50 pound you probably wouldn't qualify. They also REALLY didn't want to do the lapband. Ultimately they had denied me because I was 250 and had no medical problems.

I guess it's different for everyone, but that was my experience. So I ended up switching to a PPO and that was instant.

I had my last required 6 month visit in August. My PCP faxed all of the required paper work to my surgeon's office. Then, they immediately faxed it to my insurance company. I got a denial letter from my insurance company in September stating that they did not receive my PCP's letter of support. Actually, they had received it! My surgeon's office went back and forth with the insurance company until I got an approval the middle of October. Then, I saw my surgeon the day after my approval and was scheduled for surgery on 11/22. My surgeon could have done the surgery the first part of November, but I wanted to wait until I was off work (teacher) for Thanksgiving Break.

I had my last Appointment in July with my surgeon, but since he wasn't taking my insurance at the time I had to go meet with a different surgeon first. Met with him Aug 2nd and that day I got to schedule surgery, which was 10 days later.

Most people know that most insurances require 6 months of supervised doctor visits by your primary physician. Anyone who had had to get these done, have you been approved for surgery and given a date - before or after the entire 6 month period?

I was denied by my insurance in July. The hoop I had to jump through was a six month supervised diet by my family doctor, not any other company...just doctor. She put me on a diabetic diet. I weighed in every single month, and made an effort to excercise. I lost a total of seven pounds from July to December doing the yo yo. Right before my surgery, my bariatric center had my doctor send the files which showed documentation of honest effort on both doctor and patient side. This was submitted and approved just before the six month mark. I was supposed to have surgery August 3, my surgery was last week Dec. 21.