I have been approved for the gastric sleeve procedure. I got my approval last week. My surgeon's office is very slow to call me back and now I just found out that my surgeon will be in Africa for 2 weeks in January-so now we are looking at February-at the earliest. (and if they don't call me back soon, even later!)

I liked my surgeon, but I have my reasons for wanting to have it done at a certain time. My original plan was to have it done at the end of the year. However, it took them 17 days to return a phone call, and that bumped it so far that I now can't even consider that option.

My thought was-what if I changed surgeons. I have talked to two-and I liked both. I just chose one over the other-no real reason. Would it take long to change the paperwork for the procedure for my insurance? (My insurance approved me in 3 days-they were very quick-doctor's office? Not so much.)

Is this even possible? How soon do most surgeons schedule out? Days? Weeks? Months?

I would either call and bug your surgeon's office to death or switch. You might call your other choice and ask them how long it would take to switch and how far out they schedule.

My surgeon worked pretty quickly. I heard from them on a Friday that my insurance would not pay for band removal, decided I would self-pay and was de-banded the next Tuesday, just 4 days later. His office was also very good about scheduling my sleeve around my holiday break from school so I wouldn't have to miss work.

This would annoy me as well. My surgeon and office staff were very responsive, BUT it still took from mid-May's seminar until the beginning of August's surgery. I had to go the seminar before I could even call to schedule a consultation, even though I had already started the process with another surgeon, and had to wait four/five weeks for the next opening for new patients. I was also self-pay so didn't have insurance to deal with, but I'd think since they already approved you for surgery, it should go quickly.

I agree with annak4, maybe call the other office and ask your questions, share your hopeful timeframe, and see what response you get.

Good luck!