I have my first appointment June 1st, honestly, I'd love to get the surgery over the summer (as this is when I have the most help/time off), But.... I doubt this is possible? I have a couple friends who had surgery with the same guy I have a consult with. (A preferred surgeon through my insurance, thus being covered at a higher rate) And she said it took 6 months. She also said if I was to be more flexible with scheduling appointments. (With nutritionist, psychologist, etc.) It could go faster. But how much faster?

I started in February. It has taken 6 months to meet all the requirements of my insurance. Should be sleeved late June or early July. I was very disappointed having to wait so long, however the journey with all the appointments have taught me a lot. It has also taught me patience and to get my brain properly prepared. It goes by pretty fast. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

During your 6 months were uou expected to lose or just not to gain during that time?

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I prepared a document and gave the WLS team both soft and hard copies. I wrote it in the third person, so it read like a doctor or dietician had written it.

I had a written report from my PCP going back 7 years that diagnosed me as obese and prescribed a low fat diet.

I documented all the various diets I had been on. I had a 9 month prescription for Qysima and 4 months of testosterone injections. I also included 4 months of reports from my Fitbit demonstrating that I had exercised regularly.

I had no medically supervised diet and got approved in 5 days. I also went on the pre opt diet immediately after the weigh in and impressed the WLS team with my weight loss discipline.

Good luck, it's difficult, but not impossible. Once you get rolling it's like a snowball going down hill and it's over before you know it!

I had my very first appointment with my surgeon on March 30 and am having my VSG on May 25th!! I'm in NY and my insurance only required documentation of attempts at weight loss, which I had and 6 months of weights with my primary doctor, which I had already as I see my primary every month anyhow for pain medication renewals. So I wrote the weights on a sheets for the past 6 months and my primary signed off. Easy peasy.

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Weight watchers didnt count for me. Had to be a doctor, which seemed silly to me, but depends again on your insurance. They are sure different.

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seems silly to me too! My insurance stipulated 12 months of a conservative weight loss program (non surgical) so WW counted (since I have been a WW'er pretty much my whole adult life)

What did you have to show to prove your participation in WW?

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What did you have to show to prove your participation in WW?

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@@brandici I had my weight record booklet from the past year.

I also have my first appointment on the first, with the surgeon. Hoping to hear good news and get the ball rolling. Good luck tomorrow!

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I have my first appointment June 1st, honestly, I'd love to get the surgery over the summer (as this is when I have the most help/time off), But.... I doubt this is possible? I have a couple friends who had surgery with the same guy I have a consult with. (A preferred surgeon through my insurance, thus being covered at a higher rate) And she said it took 6 months. She also said if I was to be more flexible with scheduling appointments. (With nutritionist, psychologist, etc.) It could go faster. But how much faster?

It took me less than 5 months from my first appointment to the date I was approved by BCBS.

Had my very first consult with my surgeon on March 30, 2016 and was sleeved May 27, 2016.....1199 national benefit fund insurance in NY.

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I have my first appointment June 1st, honestly, I'd love to get the surgery over the summer (as this is when I have the most help/time off), But.... I doubt this is possible? I have a couple friends who had surgery with the same guy I have a consult with. (A preferred surgeon through my insurance, thus being covered at a higher rate) And she said it took 6 months. She also said if I was to be more flexible with scheduling appointments. (With nutritionist, psychologist, etc.) It could go faster. But how much faster?

Tina, I'm having my surgery on June 24th @ mayo in jacksonville. Because I had a lot of things wrong with me, like sleep apnea, etc.. It's taken me over a year. They want to make sure that you know everything & are ready for your new re-birth.

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@@marylu I am going to Mayo too. Approval today! Do you remember how long from approval you got a date?

Edited June 1, 201610 yr by CrazyHeart14

It took me a year to get my surgery date. Mine was unusual because I have some medical issues so they have done a lot of testing. I would suggest getting a copy of your insurance policy about bariatric surgery, then you know all requirements. There was some confusion at my hospital and it cost me several months.

I have BCBSIL and asked them to send a a copy of the BS requirements and no they do not require and type of weight loss program before surgery I was sooo happy to read that.

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I got a date today. I met with the surgeon for the first time last Thursday. I would have gotten it yesterday but the coordinator was out of the office. I asked for a tentative date while waiting for insurance approval.

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