I'm just trying to get a feel for how long the process is. I know it is different for everyone depending on insurance and other circumstances, but I would like to hear from as many of you as possible to see the quickest, longest and average times!

Thanks everyone!

hi

it has taken me 11 months. my seminar was 8/12, i get banded 7/23.

Four months for me. Insurance approved me right away and I didn't have to do any supervised diet programs, nor did my doctor require me to lose weight first. My doctor just didn't have a surigical opening for four months; others can get you in a week or two later. SO many factors go into how long it will take!

I had my first visit at the end of March. My surgery is tomorrow (June 18th). I could have done it sooner (probably middle of May) but I was finishing a master's degree and wanted to do it after graduation. Originally the surgery was scheduled for June 11th, but got postponed until the 18th because of a test I needed. Hope this helps!

3 weeks and 1 day from initial consult. It could have been 2 weeks and 1 day but I was not available on the surgery date. I was self-pay which makes a BIG difference in the amount of time you have to wait. I couldn't be more pleased!

Four weeks. Self pay.

I put my timelines in my signature block - like you, I wanted to keep up with how long it took. I never gave it a chance to stall out anywhere, I kept pushing.

Thanks everyone! I knew there would be a pretty wide range (never thought about how much quicker self-pay would be!) but this gives me a good idea of different timelines.

I went for the one-on-one Seminar on June 9 and am getting banded on June 25. I am self-pay and I am sure that speeded things up considerably.

January 2008-Made appt with dr.

March 2008- Actually got in to see him (busy guy!)

March 08 to Feb 09- My 1 year with the nutritionist/psychiatrist

March 09- Made appt with surgeon

April 09- 1st meeting with Dr. Rosen put on 4 week diet

May 09- Check up with Dr. Rosen

June 09- Pre op appt... start liquids

June 19- SURGERY DAY!!! It's tomorrow :thumbup:

I have BCBS and the whole process took about 18 months. Well worth it.

I saw my doctor first on May 18th, the first week I was home from school.

I got a surgery date that day (July 31st) plus a list of all the doctors I needed to see first. I did all that and then the other day my surgeon called and asked if I wanted to move my date up to July 22nd, that was a definite yes! lol.

I originally tried looking into lapband last year but my insurance would only cover bypass I think and I didn't want that. My dad's insurance recently got updated (BCBS anthem) and now everything is smooth sailing (knock on wood :thumbup: ).

So I guess... a little more than 2 months from my first dr visit to my surgery!

I have Fed. BC/BS. I met with the suregononapril 15th I had all testing completed by April 29th I was apporeved on May 22nd. My first date was June 10th then it was pushed back due to overbooking. My new date is June19th which is tom.:thumbup:

I went to my seminar 8/08, was approved by insurance 3/09 and had surgery 6/5/09(two weeks today!). My insurance was pretty quick but my hospital program is very busy and I waited for awhile for several appointments.

Good luck on your journey!!

I'm just trying to get a feel for how long the process is. I know it is different for everyone depending on insurance and other circumstances, but I would like to hear from as many of you as possible to see the quickest, longest and average times!

Thanks everyone!

I started with a seminar in September. Bariatric coordinator appointment in November and then an actual visit with the doctor in December. My surgery is set for July 7th. So, right almost 10 months. My insurance changed, which is why I think mine took a little longer. My new insurance required a 3-month or 6-month supervised diet, and I opted for the 3 month.

Good luck to you! :sad:)

took me one month to do all my appointments pre approval. got the approval in like 2 days from my insurance. Then they scheduled me the first week in May, and my surgery is July 8th.

so about 3 months and 1 week from the very first appointment I had with the Dr.

Well....let's see. I have Cigna insurance.

First Dr's(primary care physican) appt- Oct-08 thru June-09(insurance required 6 mths of Dr. supervised diet)

Phsych evaluation - April-09

Nutrional evaluation - June-09

Surgeon seminars/clinics - 2009 - I attended 2 so far.

Final clinic and pre-op admission - July 6,2009

Surgery date - July 7, 2009

So in all approx. 9 mths....most of that is due to insurance requirements. But in the long run...it is well worth it because I only had to come out of pocket with $2000. Everything else is taken care of by Cigna at 100%.