Hi, My name is Kathy and I am new to this group, site and WLS process. Does anyone know a time frame from taking a Seminar to actually getting the surgery? I have no idea what time frames are for this process. I am blessed and already know my insurance will cover this. I am supposed to hear from the office of the surgeon for my first appt date next week. I am not the most patient person so if I know how long I need to wait I can prepare myself.

I have been dealing with hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, insulin resistance, asthma, GERD, Chronic Fatigue syndrome and several other issues. I would be happy to offer info on handling these to anyone who has questions. I am 46 years old and I work from home. I look forward to making some new friends here.

Hi' date=' My name is Kathy and I am new to this group, site and WLS process. Does anyone know a time frame from taking a Seminar to actually getting the surgery? I have no idea what time frames are for this process. I am blessed and already know my insurance will cover this. I am supposed to hear from the office of the surgeon for my first appt date next week. I am not the most patient person so if I know how long I need to wait I can prepare myself.

I have been dealing with hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, insulin resistance, asthma, GERD, Chronic Fatigue syndrome and several other issues. I would be happy to offer info on handling these to anyone who has questions. I am 46 years old and I work from home. I look forward to making some new friends here.[/quote']

Be glad you have insurance to cover - but that also may be a time-lengthening factor. Some insurance can make you do 6 months medically supervised diet beforehand. Your biggest factors are going to be your insurance requirements & then the other is doctors requirements.

Welcome to the forums!

Thanks Susan, I see that your surgery is coming up next week. You must be getting excited and nervous that it is finally here. I wish you all the best and will be looking for your posts on how your process goes.

Hi Kathy, All in it took me about 8 months from the time I picked up the phone to set a meeting with a surgeon who was part of my insurance plan. (Jan 2012)(about 3 weeks of that was getting on his calendar). That was followed by 4 meetings with him, 5 or 6 with the nutritionalist, several other test (blood, lungs, heart, gastric exam, psychiatrist, sleep study) etc. All this to get insurance approval...at least that's why I started it. But, at least some most of it frankly should do whether insurance requires or not. Get's you prepared and time to really think through getting the surgery and learn that it's just a tool. A bit of a reset. But, success will depend completely on the work I'm willing to put in now and later.

Btw, some more timeline stuff...since that's what you asked.

* Feb 1st Dr meeting

* March to July - lots of appts (see above)

* August - approved by Ins (Yipee!!!!)

* Sept 11th surgery

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

Wow, that is longer than I thought. But you are right. It gives time to really get your head around the lifestyle changes. I am a self professed caffeine addict and I am in the process of weening off of it now. I have done it before but always go back to it. This time is different.

I can so feel your pain on the caffeine. I cut mine way back to just 1 cup of coffee in the morning starting in July. That cup of coffee was the thing I missed the most the two week prior to surgery. My Dr and Nut had me do two weeks of liquids and 'mush' (think sugar free applesauce) prior to surgery with zero caffeine. I REALLY missed my morning coffee. At this point I've been without it long enough that I'm used to it.

As far as the timeline. I had some travel for work, a family vacation, and kids starting back to school that all together probably added a month or more to my time. Really depends on the rules of your insurance. But suspect I could have focused on each appt as quickly as possible vs fitting into a schedule, I might have compressed it to 6 months.

Good luck to you! I know if you're like me 6-8 months probably seems like forever. I think it's so cool you already found this site. I really wish I had prior to surgery. Lot's of good information and support out here!

I finally got some info today from the Dr. Office. I have my 1st appt on 10/16 and I am very excited that I am finally moving forward in the process. I did find out that my insurance requires a 3 mth supervised diet so I will have to do that but I am figuring I will be able to have my surgery in January which will be the perfect time for a new start.

That is awesome. Excited for you and your visit next week! And, January will be here b4 you know it!

Hi, My name is Kathy and I am new to this group, site and WLS process. Does anyone know a time frame from taking a Seminar to actually getting the surgery? I have no idea what time frames are for this process. I am blessed and already know my insurance will cover this. I am supposed to hear from the office of the surgeon for my first appt date next week. I am not the most patient person so if I know how long I need to wait I can prepare myself.

I have been dealing with hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, insulin resistance, asthma, GERD, Chronic Fatigue syndrome and several other issues. I would be happy to offer info on handling these to anyone who has questions. I am 46 years old and I work from home. I look forward to making some new friends here.

Hi, My name is Kathy and I am new to this group, site and WLS process. Does anyone know a time frame from taking a Seminar to actually getting the surgery? I have no idea what time frames are for this process. I am blessed and already know my insurance will cover this. I am supposed to hear from the office of the surgeon for my first appt date next week. I am not the most patient person so if I know how long I need to wait I can prepare myself.

I have been dealing with hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, insulin resistance, asthma, GERD, Chronic Fatigue syndrome and several other issues. I would be happy to offer info on handling these to anyone who has questions. I am 46 years old and I work from home. I look forward to making some new friends here.

Hello Kathy Welcome to the forum. It all depends on your surgeon and your insurance requirements. Each is different! I started my Journey in Sept and I have one Pretest to complete. ERD, the light down my throat is scheduled for 10/31. After that, then paperwork will be submitted to insurance company. I am hoping for end of Nov or beginning of Dec surgery date. Caseworker at surgeon office said timeframe should not be an issue. You will have a better idea once you have your first visit with surgeon and they inform you of the testing needed before surgery. I too stuggle with GERD and other health issues. Good luck!!

Hi Kathy,

My wait was about 9 months in all, however, I pursued WLS for about 3 years. Once I was ok'd through my insurance (Kaiser), I had to go through a 6 month waiting period and then 2 months of nutrition classes, 2 mental health assessments, and a battery of blood tests. Once in the nutrition classes, things began moving very fast! Within two weeks of meeting with the surgeon, I was in surgery. It would have been sooner, but I chose a date that would work with my work schedule. Looking back, it was all worth it. The classes were great because they really prepared me for life after surgery. I am now 2 week post-op and down 23 lbs! I feel great. This was totally worth the wait.

Good luck and enjoy all the benefits of WLS!