Hi, this is my first time to post on bariatric pal. I have just made the decision to have the gastric sleeve. I have so many questions but the 1st would be for any of you who have been approved how long did your process take? Was there a wait period for any long length of time? I've read where some people had to wait 6 months or longer. I know waiting is the hardest part but I am so determined to have this surgery that I just want it as soon as possible. Any info would be so greatly appreciated! Thank y'all

I started the process in late August 2013.I have BCBs and I was approved in November 2013. I didn't have to wait 6 months... But if they would have wanted me to wait, the nurse said I could bypass that if I could get my doctor to send in his notes for the past year to show that I was having issues with controlling my diabetes. Luckily, I didn't have to wait though

Wow! That's not too terribly long. I am hoping to have it ASAP. My weight has been a life long struggle for me and I read that their criteria is a BMI of 40. I have a BMI of 60 with high blood pressure and secondary diabetes with arthritis so I am hoping that will push all of it through. Thank you so much for responding to my post.

I am in Australia and it took me about four months from the initial appointment. It's a big decision and one not to be taken lightly. For me personally (I am now two weeks post surgery) it's the best decision of my life. My weight has been my Achilles heel since I was young and I can only explain this as sheer relief that I now know something is working. I have a long way to go but I am just not that stressed about it anymore as I have faith in the process. Make an appointment and start the journey - I know I felt better just doing that. Very best of luck to you!

Thank you Kbee for posting. I have been over weight my entire life but now 380lbs I feel like I have to do something to survive. I am only 28 years old and I feel twice that. I have to nearly sit up to breathe so I can sleep at night with a fan blowing in my face. My knees and back kill me. Just walking to the top row of the movie theatre has me out if breath. I have high blood pressure which landed me in the E.R. Last year when it reached stroke level. I have tried for years on my own to achieve weight loss. It seems like every diet there is. The most I ever lost was 50lbs and that was working out 7 days a week and a very low calorie diet. I am most miserable now. My daughters are 5 years old and 3 years old. They are so active and there is so much that I would love to do with them but can't. My husband and I grew up together and were highschool sweethearts. He is very active and always on the go. He has also always been very attractive and people always make rude comments about Sam(my husband) just always having been into "big girls" or even smaller women hitting on him in public always assuming I am just the fat friend or relative. There are so many factors that convinced me to have surgery but the main reason is my quality of life. Being this overweight makes me feel that I am in a prison of my own making of which there is no escape. I have such a positive support at home with my husband, my family, friends, and co-workers. I know I can achieve my goal if I get the approval. Thank y'all for posting on my thread and y'all pray for me!!!

I have blue cross and was approved 3 days after submitting. Luckily my policy didn't require 6 mos supervised diet. I had my surgery at Duke regional in Durham NC on the 20th..Dr.Sudan is awesome..he said I took him less than an hour. I'm at home now..still some internal and external pain..five small incisions the size of pencil erasers..I been home since yesterday afternoon ..in and out of naps yesterday ...but up and alert wrapping gifts and took a shower...ill give it about a week for all the swelling to go down and do my first weigh in....hope your journey is swift and that your surgery goes smooth when the time comes;-)