Hello, My Fellow Sleevers

Im new to this website and im so excited to have made my decision to get a Gastric Sleeve. can someone please give me some info on the whole starting process to scheduling a surgery date? I have just begun my journey. I already took my nutrional class and in 2 weeks i have my pshyic appointment .do i have to turn in all those results so the insurance will approve my surgey? what was the whole lenght you guys went thru? and how long did it take you guys to get a surgery date from your surgeon?

Insurance depends on your insurance company. The consultations from the individual specialists, doesn't take long, but more likely than not you'll need 6 nutritional counseling sessions for insurance.

As far as self pay, it varies depending on your surgeon and the doctors you guy for consultation. I'm self pay and I want to say I'm having surgery 1.5~2 months later from starting.

I had Aetna and it took 11 months feom start to finish. I had to appeal a couple times due to my dieting in the past and not maintaining 40 BMI for 24 months. It's the best thing I've ever done, so the wait was worth it.

took me 6 months. It's different for us all, but when you are done, the time will have seemed to fly by.

IT TOOK ABOUT 5 MONTHS. after I DID EVERYTHING (TESTS) THE SCHEDULED IT AS SOON AS I HAD MY SECOND CONSULT.-GOOD LUCK

It really does depend on your insurance. I attended my first WLS seminar on June 25th (but luckily had two weigh-in sessions and diet discussions with my general doctor in May and June). Spent much of July having tests and evaluations. Was approved by my insurance company on July 29th. Will get my surgery date on Wednesday, August 7th. That's kind of fast I think, but maybe not- my insurances wanted three months of documented weight loss attempts. Others require six.

Jennifer

When I did the informational seminar, they indicated that the process took between 9 and 14 months on average. My insurance company requires 4 months of NUT visits, so it will be at least 5 months for me. It's extremely variable as you will see, and also depends on the patient load of your surgeon as well and insurance requirements. Best wishes to you!

I was very lucky. My insurance didn't require any supervised weight loss for 3 or 6 months. My first appt. with the surgeon was May 29 and my surgery was on July 22......7 weeks from start to finish.

I started in May... Finished my last approval from the Psych Eval Tuesday. So I'm waiting for the Surgeon to get that, then they will set my appt. I know b4 surgery they will send me to have a Endoscopy and 2 week liquid diet. So I hope I get my appt this month. (FingersCrossed)

Tc's Ready!

March 2012 I started searching for the right surgeon. In June I had my first appointment. Had surgery Nov 28 2012. 8 months from start to finish. Now I am 8 months post op. Down 80 lbs. Time sure does fly and I could have never lost this much by myself. Best of luck in your journey, It is definitely a journey.

I spent at least 2 months doing research, I was adamant on having the lap band done. After learning about the sleeve, I was drawn to it, and then I was against being banded due to many complications that I’ve read others have gone through.

Here is my journey:

July 8 – Met with surgeon for the first time

July 10 – Had upper GI

July 18 – Met with dietician

July 22 – Scheduled surgery for September 12

July 25 – Received a phone call saying that insurance has approved surgery

July 20 – Received insurance confirmation in mail

August 21 – Will have a 2-hour class with other soon-to-be-sleevers, to review pre-op liquid diet, what to expect while in the hospital, etc

1st week in September - Will have a pre-op pysical, do blood work, etc

September 12 - Surgery date!

2 months start to finish for me. I saw my surgeon the first time on May 16. I left there and right away scheduled and completed my pre-op requirements at my own Drs, not the surgeons. The same day the last thing was done we submitted to insurance and was approved a couple of days later. Surgery was on July 16 exactly 2 months after my first appointment. I have Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

I started the process in August 2012 and I was sleeved on February 19, 2013. I was on the three

month plan with my insurance which included three nutritionist visits, three exercise specialist visits and three different classes required by the hospital and one support group meeting. Labs and tests as well. I also had a psych visit. It was not a quick process to make all of this happen but it was worth it.By the way I had Aetna insurance.

Thank you all for your information I hope my approval goes as fast as all of you guys.I have Tricare prime a Military insurance. and i havent been able to find people who have the same insurance as i do .Im doing my Gastric Sleeve in Yuma, Arizona. im hoping to get good results from this surgery..I know that people in the consulation seminar looked at me and were waiting for someone else to follow me in but no it was me i heard whispers behind me as they all were saying well she doesnt look like shes 200 plus.. well im not my weight is 183lbs but im a very short person im 4'9inches tall and those extra pounds really looks horriable on me and i have high cholosterol ,high liver emzyens. I dont want to become diabetic. im a mother of 6 and i still cant keep up with my children without struggling my bmi is 39 which is under 40 so i really hope i get approved for this sleeve worried i might not ...

All the best for a very fast approval. I think you'll sail through.

Just under 2 months I hope. I have my date but still am going thru hoops. 1 nut appt and then approval to the insurance Hoping it stays on track.