The waiting game

[honeydue28 0]

Well my PCM put in a referral in for me on Monday (YAY) I called yesterday and they said I need to wait for a phone call to schedule a appointment with the bariatric nurse. Im so excited to get this whole process started I hate playing the waiting game. I was also told that the whole process start to finish could take around 6 months but some people get it done faster than 6 months. Did all the necessary labs, evals and paper work take that long for anyone?

[wishes 125]

Mine is only taking six months because I am required to have a six month physician supervised "diet". Some can get it done a lot faster than me just because there insurance requires less. It is all about what your health insurance wants if you want to get the surgery covered.

[Sunshinethatruth 0]

I too just got my referral on wed and waiting for that phone call!!! I know it may take a few days but I want it to hurry and come!!!! I'm anxious to get things started!!! So I'm right there with ya!!!!

[Bryn Dawson 9]

My process is actually taking slightly more than 6 months - the 6 months is due to insurance requirements, and then once the 6 months was up and I could be scheduled for surgery, I had to wait to be fitted into the surgeon's busy surgical schedule.

It is possible to get all your tests and evaluations done within a much shorter time, provided you are willing to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Seriously though, the long waiting period is usually due to insurance requirements, not the surgeons themselves.

Good luck on your journey!

[Heatherr 149]

It's about 4 months for me. Most of the time has just been waiting for other people to send, resend and sign off or approve on all the paperwork. My insurance said they'd approve or deny within 72 hours. That was over a week ago and I'm still waiting. Grrrrr. Everything is a go on my end, but I have to just sit and wait for everyone else to do their jobs and there's not a whole lot one can do about it. It seems most of the time is just what your doctor or insurance company require as far as a pre op diet plan.

[Heatherr 149]

Oh, and the pre op testing can take time if there is a waiting list. If you need a sleep study and they're booked 3 months in advance, there isn't much you can do about it, but that's not common.