I'm am trying to self pay to get banded. I am in Europe and considering 2 different Dr.'s, Dr. Weiner out of Frankfurt, germany, and dr. Mignon from Belgium. I am trying to make and appointment with one of them, and I would like to know how long the process takes to get banded after your first appointment, if you are not using insurance. :help:

Mine was 2-3 weeks, I didn't have to do all the extra testing insurance

requires.

MIne was about a month. But the doc took a vacation during that time too:) It was very fast. But i had to remind them everytime i called or had an appointment... then they expedited it. I think they are so used to having insurance issues. But it was pretty quick.

I was able to schedule at will.

I could have had my surgery done the next week if I wanted too. I had surgery several months after my initial consultation (my choice).

Melissa Lea

Once I decided to do it, I just told them when I wanted the surgery done, that's when they scheduled it.

Two weeks, but I could have scheduled the next week if I would have wanted to.

When you are self pay, you don't have to wait as long. Physicians love self pay patients. They know they are getting there money up front and they put you in the next available date they have. As long as your medical problems are not too severe

wow!! So monday I am seeing my PCM, for a referral, my loan will be done here in a few days, I will make an appointment with surgeon, wow, so I could get it done here in a few weeks! That is amazing, i'm hoping to have it done before thanksgiving, and before those holiday lbs. pack on. thanks guys for all the info!

What are the soft diet folks having for Thanksgiving???? I'll be one too!

It didn't take long at all. I went to the seminar and contacted Dr. Herrera's office the next day. He requires a psych. eval and nutritional consult prior to his approving you for surgery. I had the psych eval two days after the seminar. The day after that I met with the nutritionist and Dr. Herrera. I started my required two-week liquid diet the next day. During that time, I had the ekg, blood work and sleep apnea studies done. So, I guess from seminar to surgery date, I would say about 16 days.