My surgeon's office called and said they are tentatively scheduling me for April 30th. We are still waiting on insurance approval but don't forsee any problems as I meet all the guidelines and have met all the pre-op requirements. I am getting nervous one minute and excited the next!

awesome. you will do great, write if you have q's or support.

@ AmandaBelle75 congratulations on having a tentative date. I hope all goes smoothly.

I am new and have not even had my first consultation appointment yet - it is on Monday April 9th. How long has the process taken - from initial appointment to actual surgery date? I know it is different for everyone, but I am just curious about the different time lengths people are experiencing.

@ AmandaBelle75 congratulations on having a tentative date. I hope all goes smoothly.

I am new and have not even had my first consultation appointment yet - it is on Monday April 9th. How long has the process taken - from initial appointment to actual surgery date? I know it is different for everyone, but I am just curious about the different time lengths people are experiencing.

My initial consultation was January 16, 2012. My insurance required that I do 3 months of nutritional counseling and have a psychiatric evaluation. I just had my last nutrition appointment this past Monday. I was really dreading the 3 months of nutritional counseling but I am so glad now that my insurance required it. She has really helped me and I don't know that I would be successful without it. She really taught me a lot not only about food choices and portion sizes but really showed me what to do after surgery to be successful long term. Since following her diet plan that she put me on I have lost 7 lbs, my husband has lost 20 and my daughter has lost 11. We feel so much better. I was even able to give up sweet tea which was my biggest vice! Prior to my initial consultation with her I was drinking 700-800 calories a day with all the tea I consumed. Yikes! I plan on continuing to see her post op as well to help keep me on track.

My surgeon's office was supposed to submit my paperwork either today or tomorrow to my Federal BCBS plan so hopefully I will hear something back soon. Fingers crossed! I consider myself lucky that it has only been a 3 month process thus far. My sister, who has Medicare, started her journey a month ago and she is scheduled for either April 26th or May 3rd. Her process was much easier than mine.

Hi Amanda,

It's encouraging to read your post. We are almost in the same time frames. I started my nutritional phase at the end of January and have my last appointment on Friday April 6th, then waiting to hear back from insurance. Of course after all this NOW I'm getting nervous. :-) My insurance required the 3 months too, and I am sooo happy they did. I don't think I'd have done as well if I just was able to jump right in and get the band. I've lost 25 pounds so far - it was really motivating. We are about the same age and in the same stages, so I added you as a friend - hope that's ok. :-)

Good luck!!! :-)

~Kelly

Hi Amanda,

It's encouraging to read your post. We are almost in the same time frames. I started my nutritional phase at the end of January and have my last appointment on Friday April 6th, then waiting to hear back from insurance. Of course after all this NOW I'm getting nervous. :-) My insurance required the 3 months too, and I am sooo happy they did. I don't think I'd have done as well if I just was able to jump right in and get the band. I've lost 25 pounds so far - it was really motivating. We are about the same age and in the same stages, so I added you as a friend - hope that's ok. :-)

Good luck!!! :-)

~Kelly

Kelly,

I am so glad you added me! Look forward to going through this journey together and hopefully we can keep each other motivated. Looking forward to it!

Amanda

I received a call from my surgeon's office this morning at 11:30. I'm approved! It was a lightning fast approval as they just submitted my paperwork yesterday afternoon. Surgery will be on April 30th.