How long after you attend a seminar does it take to get surgery scheduled? I will be self-pay since insurance won't cover the cost. Is there a better time to start the journey? I know this summer we have a really hectic schedule until August, a lot of trips. Thanks, Liz

From what I have read on this site self payers seem to get to banding very quickly cause they dont have to do all the extras that insurance requires. I have my seminar on the 23 hope things move quickly for me after that especially with insurance. Good luck to you.

Honestly depends on your doctor and what s/he makes you do as far as pre surgery testing. Good luck!!

How long after you attend a seminar does it take to get surgery scheduled? I will be self-pay since insurance won't cover the cost. Is there a better time to start the journey? I know this summer we have a really hectic schedule until August, a lot of trips. Thanks, Liz

VERY QUICKLY! As you can see from my signature my process was less than 2 months and I was self pay. I guess it just depends upon your surgeon's schedule and whether or not they require you to see a nutritionist, therapist, etc. As the old saying goes there's no time like the present! If you have too much stuff going on you may need to schedule this at a time when you are not busy because it indeeds needs dedication, committment, and you never know if you may have complications. Also, you must think about whether your trips will agree with your post surgery diet and you should give yourself at least a week to recover from surgery. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I am self pay as well. I went to the seminar like 4 years ago, but well obviously didnt go thru with the surgery then. I had my initial consult on april 8th.....pre-op testing may 6th....pre-op diet start may 9th and surgery is may 20th! so it should be pretty quick. I got to choose when I wanted my surgery it just had to be on a mon or fri.

Jennifer

How long after you attend a seminar does it take to get surgery scheduled? I will be self-pay since insurance won't cover the cost. Is there a better time to start the journey? I know this summer we have a really hectic schedule until August, a lot of trips. Thanks, Liz

It depends very much on your doctor. My insurance did not require a 6 month diet. However I'd had a blood blot in the brain that needed to be completly resolved before I could have surgery. Also my surgeon required that I lose 30-34 pounds before surgery. I lost that in 2.5 months but had to wait because of the blood clot. If your doctor requires you to loose a particular amount of weight that could determine how quickly you can have surgery.

My pcp referred me March 16th 2011. Surgeon's office called me to fill out a screening form. I emailed it to them to save time. They called me a few days later to schedule my first appointment on March 25th. On the day before March 24th I went to the seminar and also watched and online "webinar" that week. March 25th first appointment met with nurse and had EKG. March 28th had my social work appointment (just like the psych eval) and my ultrasound appointment. March 30th had my nutritionist visit and Medical Director visit. April 12th got a call saying I was approved for surgery (by their medical team, not by insurance yet) and scheduled surgeon visit for April 22nd. April 22nd met with surgeon and sheduled my surgery date for May 16th 2011 pending insurance approval. They had dates available as early as May 2nd and 3rd. I was lucky and got my ultrasound appointment early because of a cancellation, but it didn't take too long for me. Depends on doctors office availability, your own availability, and how many tests you need.