How long did it take from first going to a seminar to the actual banding procedure? I am going to a seminar next week, will most likely be self-paying.I am 43, 5'9 @250 ponds w/a bmi of 37 but a family history of heart disease & diabetes. I also have high cholesterol.

I am so worried I won't qualify but I am sicking of living this way!

Any thoughts/encouragement are appreciated. This is a great forum!

I didn't go to a seminar. I went to a personal consultation on Januay 2 and had my surgery on February 10. This may be skewed as a comparison because I was self-pay and knew I would be self-pay when I went to the consultation, so there was never any interaction with insurance to deal with.

As for qualifying, many insurance companies have a minimum BMI that you must have been at for a certain amount of time. My best friend had to have a BMI of 37 for 3 years (she didn't), so she ended up a self-pay. I'd say call your insurance company, make sure they cover the procedure and then ask for their requirements. That way, you start out well-informed on that part.

It depends a lot on your doctor and what his specific requirements are. Most of the hoops we all jump through are to satisfy insurance requirements. My experience - as soon as the insurance was approved, they wanted to schedule surgery 2 weeks later. That would have been in the middle of my vacation, so I had to put it off 2 more weeks so that I could avoid the preop diet while in Mexico!

Good luck to you! We all see the band as a tool to start life over and live healthily every after.

I had seminar in early April and my surgery date is early June (a little over two months). I am self-pay too so it made the process a lot quicker. However, you might have to be cleared for certain things prior to surgery which may delay the process.

Thanks so much for your esponse (and to the others who responded as well!). I just had a complete physical/bloodwork done so maybe this won't be part of a possible delay...Thanks, again!

hi

i went to my seminar on wednesday and had the operation on friday.

i was also self pay and healthy

that's the only way to go.....for me! less time to think about things.

Wow congrats on your weight loss and best of luck w/your tt and lift!!! You are gonna look amazing and feel even better, I bet! Thanks for your response and GL tomorrow!!

I attended my seminar 12/8/2008 and am being banded 6/19/2009 so exactly 6 months, 11 days! It flew by so fast with all the things you have to do prior. It might be faster for you if you are self pay!

I went to the Seminar on Feb. 24 and just got my date today, I will be banded on June 22nd. Big Ali

6 Weeks! Seminar last week in April, consultant/psych exam May 8, will be banded June 4th. Could have been May 18th but I couldn't arrange to get out of work.

Lisa