Hey VS fam! I have been on here for a little bit now but this is my first official post :Banane55: .... I have started my journey to the VSG on 11/2/11 with all of my required appointments that are requested from my insurance. I am so0o0o0o excited about the fact that I get a second chance at life and because I have 2 little kids (1 and 3) that pushes me more. I want to see my kids grow up and get married and have kids and be successful :-) butttttttttttttttt I am so tired of these appointments OMG, One after another after another. It's becoming just a little over whelming, I can't wait to get all this paper work and appointments done so that I can breathe again lol.

I know everyone is different but how long did it take you guys to get a surgery date???

Hi there! Welcome to VST posting side.

Wishing you the very best in your journey - you will be SO glad you had this done. I'm over the moon with my sleeve!!! It keeps me in check when my brain won't. LOL

Looking forward to following your journey, please keep us all updated!!

From start to finish it will be three months. It feels like it's been a whirl wind of appointments trying to get everything done in this time frame. It's worth it though. I figure why wait to start living.

When is your anticipated date for surgery?

Hi! I just wanted to say I def understand the overwhelming feeling but keep up with it! It's so worth it. I went to my initial appt at the end of august and I also had to complete 3 months of supervised diet. I got my surgery date and approval from insurance the week before thanksgiving. Yeahhh! So it took me about 3 months to finish everything. Now I will be sleeved in December and sooo excited!

Mine went pretty fast. I went to the initial seminar the last week of June. I was on vacation the first week of July, and I came back to scheduling my first appointment with the surgeon. The rest of the appointments took up a lot of my time, but they went quickly.

My surgery was less than 6 weeks later on August 9.

Depending on your insurance requirements, it can take as long as they deem nessesary to qualify you for coverage. My insurance company took 6 months of appointments with the sleeve Dr. monthly, then the Dietician monthly, Phy. therapist monthly, then blood work, regular Dr. appoinments with my regular Dr., One with a shrink, more blood work, felt like a pin cushion and all this time, I own my own trucking company and when I'm not behind the wheel I loose money.

Was so happy when I finally got the go ahead. Don't give up! ever!

You can see at the bottom of my post the route I had to take. It's taken me over a year. I have alot of medical issues including Myasthenia Gravis (a form of muscular distrophy) so I'm having to go through alot of testing. My last test is Dec. 5 and hopefully soon after, I will get a date. It is a bit stressful but I've just been going with the flow as of late. I've let God have it and will get it in His time instead of mine Good luck and don't give up.

My Doc said they could get it all done in 6 weeks, but I chose to spread it out a bit longer. I was given a list from my Docs patients coordinator... it was about 20 things long! It really helped me to keep on top of things, and she helped me to get insurance approval for several of the tests and appointments for others. It was fascinating to get all the results... I felt like I was getting really good care and learning new stuff about myself.

Thanks so much!! I am sure, I love looking at everyone's progress whether it's fast or slow and see such the great and huge differences so that encourages me greatly!!! and I love the fact that my sleeve will keep me in check!! lol thanks again lilmissdiva :biggrin2:

Hi there! Welcome to VST posting side. :smile1:

Wishing you the very best in your journey - you will be SO glad you had this done. I'm over the moon with my sleeve!!! It keeps me in check when my brain won't. LOL

Looking forward to following your journey, please keep us all updated!!

I am nearing the end of my 6 months.. Time has flown!!! And I think the wait is worth it!!! I grew weary several times, but a lot of our fellow sleevers (hehehe) encouraged me and helped me see that I was preparing to change my life... in every aspect and that decision and action can't be made hastily or w/o going through the process... You'll do great!!!

Three months isn't bad at all I guess I am beyond ready lol, I agree wait wait to start living!!!! Umm I have no idea I thought I would have gotten one from them but haven't heard anything, Do they give you an anticipated date before your stuff is sent through to the insurance???

From start to finish it will be three months. It feels like it's been a whirl wind of appointments trying to get everything done in this time frame. It's worth it though. I figure why wait to start living.

When is your anticipated date for surgery?

I scheduled my surgery date about a month before submitting my info to the insurance co. It seems like every Dr is different, not to mention insurance, so it looks like there are huge variations in time frames. I just set a goal and by the grace of god I got everything insurance needed done in the nick of time. It added a lot of stress though. If you can be a little more patient than I am you can save yourself some headaches. Good luck!

mine has taken a long time. Mostly, that was me needing to wrap my head around such a huge decision.

Well I called them after I seen your post :biggrin: and they said my date will be Jan. 11th if all goes well I am in there!!! oh yeah :Banane55: LOL

I scheduled my surgery date about a month before submitting my info to the insurance co. It seems like every Dr is different, not to mention insurance, so it looks like there are huge variations in time frames. I just set a goal and by the grace of god I got everything insurance needed done in the nick of time. It added a lot of stress though. If you can be a little more patient than I am you can save yourself some headaches. Good luck!

Aboutmethistime, I totally sympathize with you. These last three months have been a very big journey! But it will be so worth it in the end. My surgery is on Monday and it seems like it can't be real for it to be here already. I met with my surgeon for the first time the first week of September and my surgery is the first week of December. It will go so quick!

Hi Aboutmethistime!

I am self pay, so my process is a little different, but I did an online seminar in mid-October, had my initial appt yesterday, and I have to have 2 other visits (pulmonary function test, and EGD) this month. They told me I will likely have the surgery 6-8 weeks from now, mostly depending on the surgeon's schedule. That's okay with me--worst case scenario, I'll get sleeved around my birthday (2/14). New life, new birth--sounds good! Good luck with all of your appointments--this is going to be great!