Today I went to see my PCP and so disappointed with my weight -249. I did let him know that I will be seeing the local surgeon to discuss gastric sleeve. I will be seeing the surgeon later this week for my first appointment. Does anyone know how many appointments you usually have to go thru in order to get approved?

Depends on the physician and your insurance requirements. It took me almost 4 months from consultation until my surgery next week. A lot of hoops.

I have Cigna insurance . They say they will pay. So hopefully once I see the surgeon I can get the ball rolling.

You need a bmi of 40 and up to be approved

3 nutritional visits in 89 days or more -- not 88

A letter from a doc that is not the surgeon so pcp, recommending you have surgery.

You can read full medical policy here:

https://cignaforhcp.cigna.com/public/content/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf

With my insurance, BCBS Federal Employee, you have to have a BMI of 40, or 35 with comorbidities. There is a 90 day medically supervised diet, plus you have to provide two years worth of medical records showing that you have at least tried something during that time. I had monthly nutrition and bariatric physician visits, saw the psych and the surgeon at the first and the last of my program.

depends on a variety of factors. for what its worth, first appointment with wls clinic was June 20th, sleeved on Sept 10th. I have BCBS Federal Employee Program

I have BCBS. My specific plan (because they are all different) requires me to have 6 months of visits with my PCP, a Psych Eval, 1 meeting with a nutritionist, 2 support group meetings, proof of obesity for the last 2 years, and BMI of 40 or above, or BMI of 35-39 with two comorbidities.

I have BCBS Federal basic. It took me four months

Due to my own deliberations about my decision and the fact that my local bariatric center of excellence was whelmed over with patient applications, it took 14 months from my first intro lecture by the WLS surgeon to surgery.

Get in line early is all I can advise.

Same

I have BCBS Federal basic. It took me four months