Wondering how long it takes from the first meeting with the surgeon till you get the procedure done approx?:thumbup:

There are so many factors here. If you are self-pay, it will be relatively quick. If insurance, you're gonna jump through some hoops. I started in September, had to do the 6 month diet, as well as finding out late that I needed to do a sleep study. I found out I got approved maybe in April, but it only took like 2 weeks from when my insurance papers were submitted. I could have had the surgery scheduled for May but chose July for schedule reasons.

I am being banded on 9/8/09 and the whole process has taken me about a year. I went to the seminar last September and insurance didn't want to cover my particular choice in surgeons. In January 2009, the surgeons signed with Humana and then I had to do six months of a supervised weight loss/diet program with my PCP.

I met with the actual surgeon in February and then finished my six month program in August. My paperwork was faxed to Humana on 8/17 and I got approval on 8/26. I had my pre-op testing on 8/28 and I have a final meeting with my surgeon on 9/4.

So, depending on your insurance, it could take a few weeks or a few months. Best wishes!

It really does depend on your insurance. I had my initil consultation on 6/29 and I was banded 8/27.

I consider myself lucky. I have really good insurance that covers this procedure without any jumping through hoops. No 6 month documented diet needed. I went to the seminar in July. They submitted the request to my insurance for me and I was pre-approved. Met with the surgeon for the first time last Tuesday. They lined up all my appointments and if all goes well and I lose 20 lbs by then, I'll be banded late Oct/ early Nov.

As others have said, it is all about the hoops your insurance company makes you jump through. Also, having a good case manager at the surgeon's office helps. Mine had my surgery approved in a few days and I had surgery less than a month after my first call to the surgeon's office. My friend, that I work with, had the same insurance and had the same experience. She was banded two weeks before me. If you can document a 5 year weight history, it helps. I had all of that and co-morbidities, so it was quick. Good luck.

It depends on your insurance or financial option and then on your surgeons requirments it could take anywhere from 4 months to a year

Mine was almost a year to the day of my first consultation. 6 month diet, psyc, nutrition, sleep study, then 4 months to get approval, pre-op testing, then 2 months later I had the surgery. I could have done the surgery in June or July but I had a scheduling conflict.

Good Luck!

Same here, with CIGNA I have to work with a nutritionist for 6 months, will be finished with all other appointments: pulmonary, cardiologist, and pshyc. I see my nutritionist in Oct...which stinks, I was hoping to get in there sooner. But it does take time...which could be a good thing. Good luck!

it honestly depends on your insurance requirements and how quick you want the procedure done. Although my insurance didn't require the 6 month diet, I had a list of test and doctors to see.....I took a week off of work and finished my requirements in 2 months. Now awaiting for the doctor office to submit to my inusrance

Hannah, the first controlling factor is if you are covered by insurance or not. I was self-pay and didn't go to a seminar at all but went to my initial visit on 1/2/09 and had survery on 2/10/09. Some self-pays get in even quicker.

If you're insured for this, it can take a while longer, even months longer, depending on the requirements of your insurance company.

It took me nearly six years as I could not self pay, and insurance refused. I had to go through a government program (DARS). With DARS it took around 2 or 3 years, the time before that was us scrambling around trying to get loans and talking to different insurance companies.

I hope your journey will be a lot quicker haha!

Mines took about 3 months. If you have good insurance it shouldn't take that long. Good Luck!! =)