I am researching the Lap-Band and a surgeon right now. I am wondering how long pre-op can take. How much weight or percent of your weight do the doctors want you to lose? I see people who are waiting one month for surgery from the beginning of finding a surgeon and some waiting 3 or 4 months.

I am emotionally ready if I get doctor approval and just want to get started!

Please comment if you can. Thanks much!

For me, it has been a quick process. My insurance will not cover wls, so we are self paying. My initial consult was 2/12, my surgery will be 3/6. I am glad it is going quickly, I am really ready to get started. Are any of the rest of you having banned plication? I am.

Hi,

So glad your process is going fast! Good luck on the 6th!!

What is banned plication?

Vacationgirl

Banded plication is where, in addition to the band, you have a fold or pleat put in your stomach to reduce the volume of your stomach. Nothing is cut away.

Oh, thanks for filling me in on this. I hadn't read anything about it.

:-)

With my insurance, it could take several months. You have to be on a medically supervised weight loss program for at least 3 months. Additionally, you have to have a nutritional assessment and psych eval. Waiting on the paperwork can take a while as well. I had everything ready to go but the nutrional assessment and psych eval before going in for a consult. Even at this point, I have waited a month and have around 2 weeks more before approval. In other words, I'd say it could take up to 6 months on my insurance, but as little as a month depending on how fast the paperwork takes and how much of the preapproval steps you have to take.

I hope that helps.

As a diabetic with high blood pressure my weight losses and gains were well documented and my BMI was high enough it took longer to fill out the paperwork and schedule the Psych appt. than get approval.

Thanks for the information about timing everyone :-)

I am going to my 1st seminar tonight. I'm looking forward to asking more questions and hearing from the surgeons.

I too have well documented weight losses/gains with having diabetes. I hope the appointments don't take too long to get.

Heading out to the seminar. And, it begins!

Thanks again!