Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Wow all of you seemed to have your surgery right away. I started my appointments in October of last year (2014) and had my surgery June 1st (2015).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a six month supervised diet requirement that I started 10/2014. Submitted to insurance in early May, and got approved approximately 3 weeks later. Surgery was June 25. So overall eight months for me. It felt like a long time, but I am so happy I had it done!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Six months supervised weight loss 1/3-7/2/15. Initial surgeon & NUT appt 7/13. Psych evaluation 7/16. Final approval from insurance 7/21. Surgery scheduled for 9/8. Could've had an earlier date, but waiting worked better for my schedule.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Started in September of last year. Insurance required 6 months diet with monthly visits to dr. I used my lunch break for those. I thought I was done in February but the September visit counted as 0 not number 1. Finished in March. Insurance denied in April because of some missing info in my file. Approved in June. Had to wait until my work situation was more stable with adequate coverage for me to be out. Sleeved 8/18... 11 months after I started the process.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

10 months for me ~ I started the process in December 2014 with the 6 month pre op diet. To your point, because I have an 8-5, I tried to space my other appointments out so that I was not always going to the doctor. My pulmonologist appointment resulted in a sleep apnea diagnosis so I had to make a return visit to get my CPAP prior to release for surgery. Same with my cardiologist visit which required further evaluation. Insert a promotion to a new position to the mix, and I now have my date of September 30. So 10 months for me, but I have to admit that I have the best overall picture of my health today than I have had in years. Good luck on your journey!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was quick - only 9 weeks. I worked my butt off to get all my appointments in. Luckily I had an understanding boss and I scheduled most of my appointments either first thing in the morning or as late in the afternoon to minimize my time off. I did need a couple of days off? I took off for my colonoscopy and endoscope done at same time as I was overdue for the colonoscopy. I was very focused and persistent about getting everything done.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

After reading all of the responses, I was very fortunate! My sister and I did it together. We did our initial consult May 13. During our consult, we also had our physicals done. Once we discussed the procedure and how everything would work, we were given the option to have our physicals done and proceed with the process which included getting insurance approval. We had done our own research for quite some time, so we didn't have anything to think over! We were ready to proceed. We knew before we left the office whether our insurances covered the procedure, and there was no waiting period for either of us. We even knew the amount we would need to finance beyond what was covered by insurance, and they automatically financed it.

The only waiting we had to do was due to openings on the calendar for our EGD (which was May 29, and the procedure itself, which was July 14). After our EGD on Friday, our insurances approved us by Tuesday. From consult to surgery was 2 months. Had there been openings on the calendar, the process might have taken us only 3 (maybe 4) weeks; and that would have only been to get a 2 week pre-op diet in.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My first apt was in April 2015 and I was sleeved on July 24th.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Leesa926 : if your last appointment is in December but surgery isn't slated until February, it could be due to your surgeon's schedule. You can ask to be put on a waiting list, but if your doc is taking 2-3 weeks off for the holidays or something, that could be why the surgery is scheduled out so far.

I started the process in December 2014, had the last of my pre-op stuff done by June 6, but then couldn't get in for surgery until August 31, 2015. That was because my surgeon took a vacation of some sort in July. I did ask to be put on a waiting list in case someone cancelled, and luckily for me I got a date of June 26th instead. So now I'm over 2 months out, instead of going in for surgery today! :)

Edited by WingFan55

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My initial bariatric orientation meeting was mid February. I had 3 months of classes and dr appointments in between. Surgery was on 7/6/15.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@ I don't think so. I meet with the surgeon on Thurs, we shall see. The advocate just puts an estimated date. It is not really that big of a deal just wondered is all. I see others who after their 3rd NUT appt go the following month. She said 2-3 months after basically. Maybe it is worst case scenerio. Again not that in a rush just thought I would see if others had dates moved up from when they initially thought, etc.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

See that makes sense but my requirement is 3 months not 6 hence why i am asking.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe they are just preparing you for worst-case scenario. Two different people at my surgeon's office told me that they submit to insurance the same day as the last appointment, and then they get you scheduled ASAP after approval. They didn't submit to insurance until a week later and then even though I was approved in 2 business days, they didn't call me to schedule for two weeks after that and were then booking surgeries over 2 months out.

I almost wish they had told me to expect the 2-3 month delay so I wasn't so disappointed when it happened that way. Then, if you do get in sooner than that estimate, it'll just be an added bonus.

Whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck. No matter which of those months your surgery ends up being in, it'll be here before you know it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×