I'm new here and just decided to start the process of getting approved and scheduling a lapband. Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of how long all this will take? I have full BCBS coverage and know that they do in fact cover surgery. Is it still a 6 mo. wait? Someone mentioned that surgeons are taking much less "waiting" time to schedule now. I'm not in a hurry just trying to decide what time of year would be best for me and my young family to deal w/ all this...winter or summer etc. Thanks!

I have BCBS Anthem. It took less than a week to get approved. BCBS says 6 months, From the beginning of the process to time I was banded was 3 1/2 months.

I at the time of start to finish had BCBS of Michigan but live in Ky, was on my ex's policy at the time, from start to finish it was like 5 weeks from first visit to surgery day, my BMI was 52.5 and that is why I didn't have to wait and my surgeon's office called and got me approved and bam there I was sitting in the hospital ready for it before I knew it. Now I have Anthem BCBS of KY which doesn't apply since I've had my surgery last June. Good luck.

I also have BCBS...I stsrted my process Dec 12, 2012 and was banded Mar 27, 2013...it was pretty fast....the longest part was the weightloss classrs they require....good luck...

I have BCBS Illinois. My whole process took 2 months, from first visit to scheduled surgery day. My Dr. sent my info to Blue Cross on a Thursday and I had a verbal "approval" (over the phone) from BCBS the next day. My surgeon got the official approval letter the following week. Also, BCBS no longer has the 6 month supervision requirement, so as long as you meet the basic requirements, you should be on your way! Good luck!

I have experience with BCBS in NJ. It was a fast process. Approval was less than a week and from my first doctor visit until surgery was about 5 weeks.

I, too, have BCBS of Illinois. Just took about a week to be approved. I also found that they no longer require the 6 month medically supervised diet before having the surgery. This change went into effect on 2/1/12.

I wish you well on your journey. God Bless.

I have horizon bcbs and my plan did require a 6 month supervised diet- just finished it this week. The surgeons office says they have 30 days but typically it only takes 2 weeks.

I have Idaho BCBS and I had to do the 6 month supervised diet. I finished that yesterday. I meet the surgeons next thursday and have heard it should be within the next 60 days that I can have my surgery!!

I'm so tempted to start my pre-op diet now...so that when it is approved I can just scehduled it done...alshtough...looking at my7 work schedule...the soonest I could would be the first week in May....but that is only 3 weeks away... On my pre-op diet - it is 8 calories a day, made up of lean Protein, veggies and 1 dairy each day.

congrats to you gals on your 6 months supervised diet, you'll be on your way!!!

To icebergslim

Once I finished my supervised diet it was a matter of about 2-3 weeks till surgery and that was waiting on BCBS for finial approval....Good Luck to all...I am 2 weeks out of surgery...

Sorry that message was for mama angela...But good Luck to all

No problem, jblitch How has your recovery been so far?

I had BCBS of NC and I had approval in less than one week. The whole process from first consultation to surgery was three months (part of that was my schedule). Also, you mention it is fully covered - be sure that means you don't have to pay out of pocket. Mine was covered as well but I still had a 20% copay plus hospital fees. I just don't want you to get sucker punched like I did because I didn't fully understand what "covered" meant.

Best of luck to you and congratulations on beginning a healthier life!

Its going great....lost 15 lbs so far....2weeks out of surgery

to es1120 my surgery was 100% covered I had no copay or hospital payment...it all depends on your deductible I suppose...or at thats the way it was explained to me...

Good Luck all