I am just starting the process to have the sleeve done. my doctor made the referral and on the 2nd of Sept I have to go to the hospital for a start up session. I have already got a kick start by seeing the psychologist,which he decided to split the sessions in a couple different parts because he wants to see how I feel after the hospital start up session.I'm doing blood work this month and also seeing the dietician.

how long would everyone say this process was? how long will it take me to get the surgery date from now you think? what were some of the appointments you had to do?

I'm also a smoker. I'm taking medication to curve the cravings and I'm down to just a couple of cigs a day. so getting this surgery means good bye to cigaretts cause I don't want to start again after.

I am beyond excited to getting everything done because i WANT this change!!

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I think all insurance requirements are different and you have to consider the doctors schedule too. My insurance required 6 mths of nutritional counsel. I started Dec 2016 and had my surgery July 6. During that time, I did all the tests, evals etc. it went very fast and I am so glad I had the nutritional counsel. It has helped!

Good luck to you!!! Best decision I ever made

My insurance doesn't have requirements but my Dr does. I have 3 nutrition appts that are 1 month apart. During that time, I have a psych eval, physical therapy evaluation and have to attend a support group. I started the process on 22 July. My last appt is 6 Oct. After that, my paperwork will be sent to my insurance company. Once the approval is received, I'll have a pre-op visit and surgery will be set. I suspect my surgery will be in November. So about 3 -4 months is my total.

I had a 3 month diet requirement. First visit April 5, sleeved on Aug 4. Went through a program at a hospital.

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I had a 3 month diet requirement. First visit April 5, sleeved on Aug 4. Went through a program at a hospital.

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I am a Georgia sleever too! Have you found any support groups?

doesn't sound like too bad of a wait. I can't wait to do the hospital start up session so I know everything I have to do. I'm happy I found this app. this is just what I needed to get me through all this and getting advice from people who plan on getting it or who have already gotten it.

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I was super lucky that my surgeon was willing to help me move through the process quickly. I attended seminar and support groups starting in May, but the first open surgeon appt was July 14. I knew I had to be back at work with no additional downtime on Sept 15, and asked if a mid August date was possible (my insurance required no wait). He was skeptical we could get all the pre-op testing and appointments in but....I get my RNY on August 18. Now, I do feel like I have been back and forth to their offices a few times each week to get it all in, but it all worked out. Depends on how booked your surgeon is, if there's a cancellation (that's how I got my spot), your insurance and surgeon requirements, and flexible you can be with getting all your appointments in. Good luck!

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I think all insurance requirements are different and you have to consider the doctors schedule too. My insurance required 6 mths of nutritional counsel. I started Dec 2016 and had my surgery July 6. During that time, I did all the tests, evals etc. it went very fast and I am so glad I had the nutritional counsel. It has helped!

Good luck to you!!! Best decision I ever made

I went through Emory Bariatrics, and their program includes their monthly support group.

Gwinnett medical center weight management Center in duluth has support groups and various informational Sessions that are available to the public

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I had six months medically supervised weight loss based on insurance. I started the process in December and just had my surgery this Monday on 8/8.

I started my journey in Oct 2015 and just got approved today by Cigna...

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I was a self payer (hiatal hernia discount) and from my first visit, followed by an ECG scope to confirm the hiatal hernia, sleep study, coronary MD clearance, nutritionist appt, pre-op diet...about 3 months total. Hat off to Dr. Frenzel and his team; easy process, easy operation, easy recovery and no adverse effects. Cast Iron sleeve!

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I was a self payer (hiatal hernia discount) and from my first visit, followed by an ECG scope to confirm the hiatal hernia, sleep study, coronary MD clearance, nutritionist appt, pre-op diet...about 3 months total. Hat off to Dr. Frenzel and his team; easy process, easy operation, easy recovery and no adverse effects. Cast Iron sleeve!

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Hi I am also using Dr Frnzel but I am in Alabama. I should be submitted for surgery in October. It's seems like you were very pleased. Did you stay in hospital a couple of days? I'm nervous due to I will be out of town but they are making my appt's easy for psych and dietary. I'm having EGD study done here to check for hernia. I pray I'm approved for surgery. If you have a hiatal hernia what does it mean to have discounted surgery ?

Edited August 17, 201610 yr by Dknal2

I started with my first appointment in March and went to meet my surgeon, received all my referrals for testing, and also got a surgery date for June 30th. Dated was set in pencil until I got every test done and results were in. The day before surgery they called to tell me what time to show up at the hospital.

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Everyone and all doctors are different, so please talk to your doctor's office staff for information. Every insurance is different too. The process seems long but it will as quickly as you prepare for surgery.

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^{I was already approved for the surgery from my insurance in April. I changed surgeons in May because I found one in my insurance network and still waiting. It can be a long tedious process. My Doctor office is the reason it is taking so long in my opinion but I keep telling myself everything happens for a reason.....}

^{Good luck & hopefully it will be a quicker process for you!!}