Hey everyone, I'm researching the lapband and I'm pretty sure I'm doing this. Can you share with me how long the entire process took from when you first inquired with a doctor until surgery? I'll be having mine in the US with insurance.

Thanks

Mine was an unusual case, in that it took almost a year from my first phone calls to surgery. Normally it should only take a couple of months, give or take, depending on how extensive the testing is that your surgeon requires and how slow you are about putting paperwork together. Typically there are several appointments with different specialists for tests or evaluations, plus whatever physical exams and/or bloodwork your doc wants. And of course, there's your surgeon's schedule. Some offices have lengthy wait times just because they're so busy.

Your insurance carrier should NEVER take more than 30 days to respond, and most do so much faster than that. But the biggest hurdle is getting that file totally complete before submitting the request for precert. Information usually has to be gathered from several sources and one or the other of them often hangs it up. If you're very diligent and ready to pester people you can speed the process up.

It took me 3 months.

Oops...I forgot to edit my signature profile. I fianlly reach my goal.

I first contacted ins and Dr. in Oct. I get my offical date for surgery tomorrow. So about 4 months.

No matter how long it takes, it won't seem fast enough to you! I had UHC-first denied, I appealed, 8 months later got my band.

Had my consultation on August 1, 2003 had the surgery on August 20, 2003

I started working with a group called TWIGS ( the weight is gone support) in June of 04 and had my surgery in nov. of 04. I has no problem with insurance (MEDICARE) because they did all my paper work and knew what needed to be done. There is a lot of paper work with this. Well TWIGS is no longer in business but at least I got the help before they went under

Good luck

Terri

I have UHC and after getting all my records together and my doctor sending the request letter, it took less than a month to get approved. It took about three months total for everything to be completed.

Mine took three months. I started with one surgeon, then changed to another though. My approval from insurance only took one day though.

Babs in TX

Went to pre surgery conference in April,04

Saw Dr for first appt in May, 04

Had difficulty getting in to see Physic Dr. he was on vacation for a month. When he got back they couldn't fit me in for two months. Got Surgeon to set me up with another Dr and had to wait 3 weeks for that appoint.

Saw phyic Dr second week in July. Week later all reports submitted to BC/BS of Michigan and I was called on July 28,2004 and told approaval was in and to go on liquid diet and had surgery Aug 10,2004. Went back to work Aug 13

If I'd been able to see phyic Dr quicky wold have been banded in June.

Seems like it took me about 3 months, start to finish.

I had my first consult last March 2004 and was approved in May banded in July due to financial problems if that had not happend would have been banded in June. Ins paid 80%

It took me about 3 months Good luck!