I made the call in January, filled out a mountain of paperwork, had my first appointment in February where they did all the blood work and explained the process. My surgeon did a scope April 1st, I got cardiac clearance at the end of April, then consult with Dr Weiss at the first of May where he gave me a surgery date of May 21st.

My total out of pocket was $750 but after co-pays for the scope, cardiac clearance and other appointments I only had to pay $157.82.

I'm not sure I would have gone through with it if I would have had to wait a year even though I'm really happy that I got it done.

Well, it took me 31 years to get this big (I'm 37, but started putting on the weight when I was 6), what is one year working on myself mentally in preparation to lose the weight? It was helpful and necessary!

I went to my first appt Jan 22, did my 3 month diet while doing all my tests, finished everything May 8, approved within a week by Cigna and surgery is next week. I've had to pay my deductible of $3K so far

It took 10 weeks for all the tests to be run, and all the reports turned in. The next 10 weeks I have been waiting for my surgery date. My surgeon's office doesn't schedule surgery until all the requirements are met and he's in demand, so 20 weeks was what it took.

From start to finish it took 7 months for me. Probably would of been around 4 but the first 3 months of diet/nut classes my surgeon had me go too wasn't good enough for my insurance. So I had to start all over for the 3 month diet classes required from Cigna. I will probably spend about $4000=$4500 out of pocket when all is said and done. Surgery is scheduled for June 18th, had my pre-op today and had to pay my $1500 deductible today as well. I also had to pay out of pocket for my phyc eval. and I will have to pay 20% of whatever the surgery comes out to be.

First and only consult with surgeon Oct 28. Nov 15 Nutritionist appt. Nov 25 recieved letter of Medical Necessity, Dec 6 psych eval. January 23 surgery date. So less than 3 months total. Out of Pocket cost $509

star21nd - I was thinking I was the only one who has had to pay quite a bit with insurance - I have a $1500 deduct. but since I have a family, I had to meet the entire family deduct. of $3000 first. The office said I'll probably have to pay a total of $2000 more, which will be the 20% of hospital and dr. fees. ugh!

I had my first meeting with the Dr. On Nov. 26, 2013 and my surgery was April 7th, 2014. So 5 months. :-)

My husband and I did it together so we had to be fancy with our appointment scheduling so one of us could be with our kids. We started January 21st for a consultation and we were scheduled for surgery that same day, March 14th. Doctor said it was up to us to get the needed clearances 2 weeks prior to surgery...and so we spent most of February at doctors' offices, but we made it. Total out of pocket expenses was only the $10 copayment for each of the specialists we needed to see prior to surgery, we have Blue Cross NJ...they approved my husband right away, but denied my surgery originally and I guess my surgeon submitted other information because the eventually approved me just two day before!... Thus far, we've spent more on special vitamins and protein drinks than the actual surgery...LOL...but so worth it.

It shouldn't work like that...the whole you have to meet the family ded. first...that sucks. I too have a husband and 4 kids and our family ded. is $4500 max for family plus the $1500 ded. each person. I seriously don't understand how insurance works...they make the #'s look a little good than you still pay out the was ohhh. LOL We have a $3000 max out of pocket per person which doesn't include the $1500 ded. so im sure I'll be paying right around the whole $4500 for the surgery...another reason I plan on using my new tool to the fullest and praying extra hard to to fall back into any old eating habits. I hope if I need any other procedures done it gets done this year as well because in Jan. back at $0..lol

star21nd - I was thinking I was the only one who has had to pay quite a bit with insurance - I have a $1500 deduct. but since I have a family, I had to meet the entire family deduct. of $3000 first. The office said I'll probably have to pay a total of $2000 more, which will be the 20% of hospital and dr. fees. ugh!

Had my first visit with surgeon April 28th, pysch on May 20th, paperwork sent to insurance May 28th and now I am waiting to get approval.

Hey Ladykatie_ my surgeon is Dr. Welle in the same office as your surgeon. Did you get your surgery at TMC? What was the prep that you had to do? How are you doing since your surgery?

star21nd - My yearly out of pocket expense for the family is $8000, so I'd have another $5K to go. I don't know why I have to pay for the entire family's deductible...maybe because I am the only one using any of the benefits! lol Like you said, I'm going to use every benefit available the rest of this year since my out of pocket fees will have been met.

I did the initial informational class in the beginning of March, but I didn't submit my paperwork until the middle of April. My first actual appt was April 29th and surgery was July 30th. Everything was submitted to insurance July 3rd and I heard back July 9th.

From informational seminar to surgery....3 months.

I went to the informational seminar in August, had to jump through a bunch of hoops and finally had my surgery in late April. It cost $500 plus the copays for various doctors visits. All told, about $750.