I will be starting the bariatric surgery process shortly. How long does the process take from start to surgery

I can't answer for everyone, but for me it was 1.5 years from first appointment until surgery, it does depend on how much weight your surgeon wants you to loose before surgery :-)

The answer will vary widely depending on your insurance requirements (including observed nutrition program), insurance approval, and your surgeon's schedule.

My process took about 5 months, which included a 3-month observed nutrition program required by insurance. Some insurance companies require 6.

My understanding is that self-pay is generally the fastest option because you have no insurance requirements to satisfy.

My first consult was in September and I was banded in March.

It was 10 months for me.... a 6 months supervised weight loss effort with my PCP, while doing insurance requirements... then I got denied and had to go another 3 months to PCP, then another 1 month for surgery appointment.

MY INSURANCE REQUIRED 6 MONTH SUPERVISED NUTRITIONAL VISITS AND PRIMARY DOC VISITS SO I HAVE DONE IT TO WHERE I SEE BOTH ONCE A MONTH WHICH IS HOW THEY EXPECT ME TO DO IT AND ON THE 23RD OF THIS MONTH IS MY LAST VISIT.. THEN I WILL GO SEE MY SURGEON AND GOD WILLING EVERYTHING IS FINE HE WILL SUBMIT TO MY INSURANCE AND FROM WHAT I HEARD MY INSURANCE IS REALLY GOOD AND QUICK SO I AM LOOKING AT MARCH FOR SURGERY .. I STARTED SEPT 7TH WITH VISITS PRIOR TO THAT I WENT TO THE SEMINAR WHICH WAS ALSO A MUST. MY INSURANCE ONLY REQUIRES TO HAVE OVER 40 BMI TO QUALIFY. YOUR BEST PLACE TO START IS CALLING YOUR INSURANCE THEY WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU WILL NEED BEFORE SUBMITTING TO YOUR INSURANCE OR IF YOU ARE PART OF A BARIATRIC PROGRAM THEN THEY ARE ALWAYS VERY HELPFUL!! GOOD LUCK AND STAY POSITIVE TIME WILL FLY BY SOOOOOO FAST!!! I FEEL LIKE I JUST STARTED AND I AM ALMOST AT THE FINISH LINE...

My insurance BCBS of Illinois didn't have any pre-supervised requirements. I had my first surgeon appt on 1/23/14, surgery was 03/17/14 - just under 2 months. So, it depends on your insurance and you surgeons requirements. Good luck, I hope it goes quickly for you like it did for me.

9 months for me. It went VERY fast though.

Started my research in June, missed the every other month mandatory information session required by my hospital, did that in August and was banded early November. Hospitals have their own program requirements as do insurance companies. I felt impatient to get things rolling but in retrospect the extra time was valuable in terms of mental preparedness. I got a therapist for a while, to go through the process with me objectively and help me break down my eating habits, triggers, etc. And I didn't want to, but I upped my exercise as I was getting closer to surgery and that made a big difference. Best wishes to you! Know that whatever surgery you have, wherever you have it, the important thing is you are choosing yourself and your healthy future. You are showing up for YOU and that is a powerful thing. So exciting!

Thanks to everyone. Your responses were all very informative. I have another question. I know that I will be required to see a dietician to help me lose weight. Do they make this a requirement to see if you can lose weight on your own, therefore not cover the surgery if you do lose weight??

My dietitian requirement was in order to learn band friendly eating and start practicing new habits before surgery. I personally did not have a weight loss requirement pre op but some people do.