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How long did the process take for you?

PTundra6

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PTundra6    8

PTundra6
Posted

Hi everyone! I'm about to start the process to get approved for surgery; insurance is requiring me to go to the doctor for a weight reduction program for 6 months and a psych evaluation.

My question for you guys that already have a surgery date:

How long did it take you from the beginning of the process to the time you scheduled surgery? Did you have to take any extra steps because of the insurance?

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PepperCat    30

PepperCat
Posted

I was shocked that I didn't have any extra steps with insurance. Start to finish it took me about four months from first appt to get surgery scheduled (which I just did today)! I know it can be different for different doctors and insurance companies though.


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PTundra6    8

PTundra6
Posted

Mine was less then 2 months but all carriers are different I heard Cigna take a while!

Sent from my Z981 using BariatricPal mobile app





Were you not required to go to a doctor for a weight reduction program first?


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bannsleeve    22

bannsleeve
Posted

Hi everyone! I'm about to start the process to get approved for surgery; insurance is requiring me to go to the doctor for a weight reduction program for 6 months and a psych evaluation.
My question for you guys that already have a surgery date:
How long did it take you from the beginning of the process to the time you scheduled surgery? Did you have to take any extra steps because of the insurance?


I just got my surgery date today and my insurance also made me do a 6 month program that was non affiliated with the surgeon. I finished it last week, scheduled surgery today but now waiting for insurance approval (keeping fingers crossed) that we have jumped through all the hoops and red tape they require. My only advice. . Put yourself first and DON'T GIVE UP...6 months goes so fast! !

Sent from my SM-S765C using BariatricPal mobile app

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NewEnglander    5

NewEnglander
Posted

I have FEP (Federal Employee Program) BCBS. It's a three month process under my plan. Three appointments with a nutritionist, to learn and lose. A cardiologist, a mental health provider, an endoscopy (due to a possible hiatal hernia), 2 support meetings, and blood work. Whew that seems like a lot!

Im on day three of earring healthier, and I already feel better!!!

xo

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KNJScorpio    11

KNJScorpio
Posted (edited)

I have Kaiser. After my referral I went to their Bariatric Options orientation then signed up for the Options 12 week course. The course was 12 weeks of learning how to eat well, emotional health, exercise, vitamins... Things like that. Then after the 12 week course I saw their bariatric doctor who referred me to a surgeon. I did a lot of blood work and tests in that time, the surgeon required three more tests and once it was done he approved me for surgery. I am scheduled for August 29th which is just over six months from when I started.

I probably would have had the surgery earlier but my doctor is on vacation from Aug 3 - 27th. So I will get it right after he comes back!

Edited by KNJScorpio
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xomariah    2

xomariah
Posted

53 minutes ago, KNJScorpio said:

I have Kaiser. After my referral I went to their Bariatric Options orientation then signed up for the Options 12 week course. The course was 12 weeks of learning how to eat well, emotional health, exercise, vitamins... Things like that. Then after the 12 week course I saw their bariatric doctor who referred me to a surgeon. I did a lot of blood work and tests in that time, the surgeon required three more tests and once it was done he approved me for surgery. I am scheduled for August 29th which is just over six months from when I started.

I probably would have had the surgery earlier but my doctor is on vacation from Aug 3 - 27th. So I will get it right after he comes back!

How exciting! I also have Kaiser and I was just scheduled for my orientation. I hope that my process goes quickly as well. :)

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KNJScorpio    11

KNJScorpio
Posted (edited)

It will! It went really fast, the classes seemed to fly by! The only part that is going slow is now... Waiting for my day to come LOL.

Edited by KNJScorpio
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Pinky Gadget    1

Pinky Gadget
Posted

My process will be 2 ½ months.


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MsNat3    24

MsNat3
Posted

It took me 3.5 months from when I started until I was approved. My insurance no longer requires supervised weight loss. I'm on day 4 of my pre-op diet, surgery date is August 21st.


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herewegoJ    18

herewegoJ
Posted

Also day 4 of pre-op, surgery 21st. Went to a seminar memorial weekend, that is when i started the process. Have lots of diets in my history.


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Deegil    42

Deegil
Posted

It took three months because I had to go to the gym three times a week for three months. I also needed a psych evaluation.

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AsianBeauty    78

AsianBeauty
Posted

I have Anthem BCBS-Ohio and Anthem required me to do a 6 months weight management program with my PVP. I started the program in January I missed my February appointment so Anthem made me start over. Because it had to be 6 consecutive months. They were supper picky. So my 6 months went from March to August. August 1st was my last appointment with my PVP. My info was sent to Anthem on August 1st and I was approved the same day . If you r insurance is as picky as mine do not mis any appointments because you will have to start your 6 months over. Oh I had to do a psych evaluation and blood work and all that. But I think that's the normal things that's need In general.

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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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