Hello,

I am in the early stages of going through this process. I have Tricare Prime and just received my refferal letter from them. I also just attended my first dietary counseling session and she actually told me not to loose any weight because I am right at 40% BMI. But I also have severe arthritis in both knees and asthma and am well over 100lbs over weight so I think I am safe.

I have a physical Aug 12; Seminar the 16th, and surgeon visit the 19th....

How long will this whole process take before I can get a surgery date?

Hello,

I am in the early stages of going through this process. I have Tricare Prime and just received my refferal letter from them. I also just attended my first dietary counseling session and she actually told me not to loose any weight because I am right at 40% BMI. But I also have severe arthritis in both knees and asthma and am well over 100lbs over weight so I think I am safe.

I have a physical Aug 12; Seminar the 16th, and surgeon visit the 19th....

How long will this whole process take before I can get a surgery date?

It depends on insurance requirements, medical consult requirements and also the surgeon's schedule. I started in late May and have to have three nutrition and diet counseling classes. You will have to meet with a psychologist. There could be other specialists that the doctor wants you to see before surgery. If you are starting on the 19th, personally, I would not expect to have surgery before mid October. I am hoping for October myself. I need to get it done this year as I have met the out of pocket maximum for the year. Lots of good luck to you. Welcome to the forum. It has helped me immensely.

Melinda

Hey there, I also live in Delaware! Welcome, you will find the forum very helpful and inspirational in your journey. My seminar was October 2010 and my first dr appointment was in November. Because of insurance requirements and due to the hospital not acquiring their "Center of Excellence" in time for my first surgery date of May 27th, I finally had my surgery done June 30th, 2011. Hope your process goes well, it really does go very fast. Just have friends and family around to support you!

Best of luck!

Hi! I live in Newark. I went to my first seminar in late January. I had planned to have my surgery sooner, but I needed to have my surgery at a "Center of Excellence". I was banded on 6/27/11. The date will depend on your insurance company requirements, and the type/number of doctors you need to see for surgery clearance. Welcome to the journey.