Hi guys... i went to my GP tonight he gave me a referral to a surgeon... but he said the whole process with the testing can be about six months.. is that true>???? how long should it take??? :confused2:

It really depends on your insurance and your surgeon. Really, your insurance is a huge deciding factor. Some require a six-month supervised diet. Mine did not. I was approved in less than a week and then had the surgery 2 months later.

Good luck!

I was a self pay so I didn't have to do the 6 month weight loss program, but it still took me 4 1/2 months from seminar to surgery. It took about a month to get in to see the surgeon for the first time. After I was cleared for surgery w/ the preop testing I had to wait another month because my Dr was already booked a month out. It was a good opportunity to prepare myself.

I did not have a required 6 month diet either. Here is my time line

February 21, Seminar

April 18 & 21 All obesity institute appointments (blood work, ekg, psych exam, PT, Dietitian, nurse practitioner, & psych eval)

Lose 5%

June 24, Surgical consult

July 24, Surgery

It was almost 5 months to the day. It could have been faster, if I had lost my 5% faster. . . . but hey 16 lbs in 2 months is pretty damn good.

Hope that helps!!

I too was self pay 1.went to the seminar 2.3 weeks later went to consult was 1 week into my 2 week liquid diet ( did my upper GI and blood work in my home town I live 200 miles from surgeon) 3. 1 week after consult had surgey at the surgery center in Dalton GA. good luck

I was self pay as well. I had went to several seminars over the last few years and my doctor actually remembered speaking with me so I didn't have to attend another one. I had my consultation the 1st of Nov. and scheduled my pre-op testing and dietary class. After all of my testing and labs were cleared I was scheduled for surgery on Dec. 26th. I could have had the surgery sooner but I wanted to wait until after Christmas. I had a low bmi (34.6) so I didn't have to do a pre-op diet. I hope this help. Wishing you all the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Started in mid Feb 2008 got the band May 28, 2008.

It all depends on your insurance and your doctor.