Hi everyone....

I made the fist call to the Ellis Bariatric Center back in July. I was placed in the seminar on Sept 4th, it was informative, but I already had my mind made up. Then two more weeks pass and I receive the call saying my meeting with the surgeon is on Oct 27th.....ugh another long wait! So that is now almost here and I am wondering how much longer from that point? I know I have all of the pre-op appointments to get through, but I am so not a patient patient LOL!!! Anyone?

Thanks, and good luck all...

I felt the SAME way. I started with the process in February of 08. A few times I almost talked myself out of this. I said to myself "I can do this myself" or "by the time this is done, I could loose the weight myself". Well, I know that's not true, I've tried and failed - I'm a great yo-yo dieter! In March when I was being told September or October would be a realistic surgery date I thought no way! But my surgery is in 5 days and I am so happy I stuck to it. STICK TO IT. It WILL be worth it! Good luck!

socalfosh really says it all. It does take time and you do need to be patient. If insurance is paying for it then it will take longer then if your self pay. But remember this is your health your looking at changing. You can already be working to help yourself in preparing for the operation and the change in your life. Start cutting down the soda in your diet since once you have the operation it is highly suggested if not mandated to never have soda again. Start lowering your sugars and fats in your diet to help shrink your liver before the surgery. Many people are put on liver shrinking diets before surgery because it is a very large organ in your body and right next to the stomack. Shrinking your liver helps the operation go easier and be a success. Not to mention the other health benefits you will gain by eating better. If you are not exercising start by simply taking a walk several times a week. There is no need to wait for the surgery to make changes in your health and your life. Remember the lapband is only a tool to help you. It is not the cure. So be patient with when the surgery come and do what you can to help yourself along in the mean time.

I agree it is a long wait. There are so many various requirements which differ depending upon the bariatric center, insurance company, and surgeon.

I started the process in January 2008. Between Jan and October 2008, I had to complete many, many, many requirements before I could even meet with the bariatric surgeon.

I finally saw the surgeon October 8. I completed the H-pylori on October 10 and completed the upper GI on October 14. All paper work was sent to the insurance company on October 15 and I recieved approval on October 16. Looks like my surgery will be November 11, but I am waiting confirmation.

Don't give up hang on. You can do this!:smile:

Good luck to you..

Annie, I'm in the exact same boat as you, and I am going nuts waiting. I also started this process in July, and my consultation with the surgeon is October 29th, so we're really in this together.

After the consultation, the wait until surgery with my surgeon is generally 4-5 weeks, so I'm looking at first getting my surgery late November or early December. I'm going a little :willy_nilly:trying to be patient.

Do you know how long the wait for surgery is after your consultation?

Thanks everyone for the encouragement!

No, I won't quit...I want this more than anything. I am a nurse and we nurses make awful patients!!

After the surgical consult I really have no idea how much longer.....we;ll have to stick together!!!

Try and make friends with the appointment bookers. Ask to be on a cancellation list to take last minute appointments. I always do that when I need to see a specialist and they book me way out.

Sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn't. Are there any other options in your area for Doctors?

I went through the take forever process 5 years ago and was denied twice by Insurance.

So this time I was very pessimistic and everything just feel in place with this Doctor. And, I don't know why. I don't know if he has so many people working for him that they hustle to get stuff taking care of... I have no clue. But, I was floored...shocked, at how fast this has come to fruition. Less than a month from seminar to surgery date.

I would look at some other options and ask what their waiting period is like, besides how long it takes insurance.

I had my first appt back in Feb of 08 - then found out that my insurance makes you wait for 6 months. By the time the paperwork was filed, my 6 months ended on 10/2. Now, they are so busy with these surgeries, they are squeezing me in on 11.19 at a different hospital (same surgeon) because the other hospital is booked through December. Hopefully, now you can see you didn't have it all that bad. I was frustrated MANY times. I still won't believe it until it's actually over with.