I am in the appeal phase of my journey as my insurance denied me the first time. I am waiting for assistance from Obesitylaw and so I won't know for another week or two when my appeal goes in. Once I potentially have an approval, I am wondering how long is it before I can have surgery?

I know I will be going to do the 2 week liver shrink... so that's two weeks, but I thought perhaps I had to have other tests before I can schedule the surgery.

How long from approval to table did it take you?

I was approved for surgery on October 15th and I had my surgery on November 11.

I did pre-op lab work on November 7, which consisted of an ekg, blood and urine tests, and a chest x-ray.

I had completed several other lab test requirements prior to insurance approval. My insurance is Blue Shield/Hills Physcians.

You'll need to get that info from the surgeon's office because each require different preop tests depending on patient, and also it depends on how busy/booked surgeon is etc. For me it was VERY short...one month total from seminar to surgery (the 1st time). For some, once approved, the wait can be much longer.

So your answer is anywhere from 2 weeks (I had a 3 week preop diet) to 2 months or more, depending!

RestlessMonkey is right, it really does depend. My testing included EKG, upper GI, blood work, urine testing, and chest xray. All of those had to be done within 2 weeks of my surgery per my hospitals rules. Also, it was almost exactly a month from approval to surgery for me. It was supposed to be longer, but they had a cancellation and moved me up. Just talk to you surgeon's office. They will tell you what tests you need and when. Good luck on the appeal!

Thanks everyone! I did tell them I figured the middle of Jan because the letter won't go out until Nov 30 and gosh knows how long ins. can drag the decision for the approval. I also have been planning my life around this. I have been putting off things thinking I'll be prepping or having the surgery for months now... I decided to try out for singing in a show and I got a big part and so the show is going to be done in the middle of Jan. I mean I could potentially be approved sooner, etc. I just am so tired of putting my life on hold and missing out on fabulous opportunities. A month to be in the show isn't going to hurt me. I guess my way of thinking is I have been waiting on the surgery... now the surgery can wait on me. :thumbup: :thumbup: