I have just now decided that I think the sleeve is for me, I have not yet gone to a Dr just hoping I can have it done. I would like to know, Once you went to the Dr how long from then before you have your surgery ??

With the insurance requirement of a 6 month pre-op diet it took me 8 months.

It really varies from person to person, and wat insurance they have. I first met with my surgeon on May 24th, and I am having my surgery on Wednesday the 5th.

It really varies from person to person, and wat insurance they have. I first met with my surgeon on May 24th, and I am having my surgery on Wednesday the 5th.

Awesome, good luck, sooooo close !

I have Humana !

I started my pre-op diet well before I decided to have surgery. About 1 year to be exact. I had my first appt July 18 and got approved 8/29. Still waiting on surgery date.

Check with your insurance company ASAP to see what their pre-reqs are. Even if you're not sure yet, you can at least get the ball rolling. Some take 6 months, some 3, some none at all.

I had my first appointment with Doctor on July 23rd and my surgery schedule for September 7.

At the risk of having things thrown at me from the peanut gallery.....

I had my first visit with my surgeon on May 4th, got insurance approval within 2 days of submitting the request, and had my surgery on June 19th. (I have Harvard Pilgrim Insurance.)

I am definitely the exception, and not the rule, I think. LOL

Also....when you contact your insurance company, verify that they will actually cover a "Laproscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy". Many insurance companies won't cover this particular procedure, because its not been as common as other procedures (gastric bypass, lap-band, etc).

Wow, Thanks everyone for the fast reply. I'm hoping for it soon but, will wait as need be. I have a BMI of 44.4, I don't have high BP or anything like that, I have tried for years to lose weight. My Mother had gastric bypass about 7 years ago. Hoping to be approved and get this show on the road ASAP.

It does depend on your insurance and doc requirements. My doc required a few classes (given by his office) and other things. My first appt was April 11 and I had surgery July 3rd.

I attended a free bariatric seminar on July 21st, I am having surgery on Sept. 10th. There were a lot of pre-op hoops to jump through and I think I had an easy insurance policy that didn't require a weight history or pre- diet. Every doctor and insurance company is different so none of our stories are the same. After I attended the seminar I met with the surgeon that day, the next week I met with a NUT, the following a week I had my psyc eval. (took her a week to write and submit the report) then it was submitted to insurance- took about 7 days for approval. I then got my surgery date and had my second dr. visit. Then I had my EGD and Cardio clearance. I have since had my pre-op blood work done and I start my liquid diet on Sept. 10th. I have BCBS IL. I hope this helps some, but like I said everyone is a little bit different.

Oh I had the sleep apnea test done- Twice! forgot that! So you will see alot of doctors in a short period of time.

I attended a free bariatric seminar on July 21st, I am having surgery on Sept. 10th. There were a lot of pre-op hoops to jump through and I think I had an easy insurance policy that didn't require a weight history or pre- diet. Every doctor and insurance company is different so none of our stories are the same. After I attended the seminar I met with the surgeon that day, the next week I met with a NUT, the following a week I had my psyc eval. (took her a week to write and submit the report) then it was submitted to insurance- took about 7 days for approval. I then got my surgery date and had my second dr. visit. Then I had my EGD and Cardio clearance. I have since had my pre-op blood work done and I start my liquid diet on Sept. 10th. I have BCBS IL. I hope this helps some, but like I said everyone is a little bit different.

Sorry, you have surgery on 9/10 you start your liquid diet on 9/10 also? you mean you don't have it before surgery?

I had six months of NUT appts- so when I have surgery on the 12 th it will be 7 months