Hello. My name is Nicole and I have my seminar on Wednesday. I am just beginning my journey and have so many questions. I guess the first of my questions would be what should I expect for the amount of time until I am scheduled for surgery? I am planning on having my insurance pay for the surgery, but haven't even begun that process yet...

I would just really appreciate any input at all at as to what I should expect, not just about time...but everything

Welcome! Insurance requirements very from carrier to carrier. I was selc pay so I can't help much there. You will get lots of help from my fellow LBT friends.

Good luck on your journey.

My surgeons office submitted the pre-auth after I went to the seminar. They called me about a week later to ask when I wanted to have the surgery, I chose a date about 3-4 weeks later. I had my surgery on sept 19, 2012. I am doing awesome. My 1st fill is oct 18. I have lost 24lbs. Let me know if you have any more questions

_{I started my journey in Feb and I am being banded finally next week. It's been a long process for me, because of my insurance. Everyone's process is different. Good luck!}

I went for my initial visit with the surgeon in March and was just banded Monday. I went through my insurance and, from what i understand, fairly common insurance hoops including: 6 months of diet/nutrition classes, clearances from gastro, pulmonology, cardiology, psychologist and endocrinologist. Plus 3 weeks of "life skills" with a nurse and dietician which was basically how and what to eat before and after band. The 6 month diet thing was the big thing, the classes were once a month and we squeezed everything else in around them. All said mine was 8 months from initial to surgery with insurance. It's a drag but don't give up!! 6 months from now you'll be glad you started when you did.

Well I went to a seminar on january 2012, made my decision on june. I went to doctors consultation on July 26, 2012 and was banded august 21, 2012. I'm a selfpay so it's way easier.If you have questions on what to expect as in general I actually made a video on youtube about it if you have a few minutes check it out

Hey Nicole,

When I started my journey, it was only a week and a half that I waited from appointment with surgeon to surgery mine was very very fast!!! 

It took a full year for me, hugs