I am having my first consultation on May 11, 2005 I an happy, nervous , scared, anxious etc. How long does the process take before you actually get to surgery?

I am from Michigan, I have been fat all of my adult life, the last time I weighed

a normal weight was in high school. I have a grandson, 8 1/2 who has muscular dystrophy (Friedrich's Ataxia) which will cripple him to a wheelchair by junior high. He will need lots of care and it is important to me to be healthy so I can help with him.

My biggest new learning will be how to be thin. I have never been thin, so I don't know how it is.

Hi Starbright!

Welcome to LBT!!!!

Are you having this surgery filed with your insurance??? OR are you a self-pay?

If you are going through your insurance, then the time from your initial consult to surgery is usually 4-6 weeks. Usually!!! Possibly longer. Seldom shorter then 4 weeks, but could happen.

Good luck, and again, WELCOME!

Welcome to LBT!!! Feel free to browse the posts and get as much info as possible. This is an awesome place to make new friends AND gain a TON of knowledge too!

If you have any questions you can PM me anytime!

Take Care, ~Kelly

I have my first consultation on May 10, 2005 with my chosen surgeon....I had one other consultation, but we realized we were not on the same page....he was a really nice doctor, but had never done a lap-band, only RNY. He referred me to the surgeon I had already called for the May 10th appointment. I will consider that a stroke of luck!!

I will think of you on May11th...good luck

Margo

Paula....

Did you set your surgery date right away with your doctor or did you have to wait for the insurance people to O.K. it?

Margo

My Lap band will be insurance paid. My heart doc is all for it, which kind of surprised me. I do not have a heart problem, but started going to him at 48 because my Dad dropped dead at 49 with plaque in the artieries, unknown to any of us. My heart doc has been perscribing diet ever since, and when I questioned him about wls, I thought he would be opposed. Lap band seemed a lot more sensible to me, it works slower, but it will provide me with the impetus I need to get going. Thanks for all the encouragement, and the knowledge that some of you went through it fairly smoothly. Now I am getting excited.

star,

You should be excited! And welcome to LBT! I hope you post here often as you go through your journey. I always swear that if I have a question I can always get it answered here through archives or posting!

Paula....

Did you set your surgery date right away with your doctor or did you have to wait for the insurance people to O.K. it?

Margo

Hi Margo,

My surgeons office called and let me know they had recieved my ins. approval paperwork - and that is when they gave me a surgey date.