Hello all
The first appointment at the weight management clinic (gotta love titles) is Monday, NY Eve. Have the pages of history and paperwork all filled out for the doctor and went to the "orientation".
All the posts and the library have been great reading, thank you!
There seems to be a lot of differences, however, in the waiting periods between talking to the doctor about the surgery and actually getting the date.
How long did you all wait? Was it insurance requirements that caused the delay or getting in your additional appointments and tests?
Thanks, I know I sound anxious and ....I am!
Happy New Year All!

I was given approval and a surgery date after just six days but the date was six weeks from the approval. That allowed for all the tests to be completed and the classes that I had to attend to be taken care of as well.

It was about six weeks for me from the date of attending an information session to having surgery.

It was almost a year from when I first approached my PCP about having the surgery done. Once I got the approval to see the WLS doc, it was 9 months start to finish. I had to go through classes and such...part of THEIR approval process. They are not into just doing the procedure and sending the patient on their merry way...lots to learn before going into such a thing. I had to lose 10% of my excess body weight, go through a psych evaluation and go to some of their support meetings. They wouldn't even put in for approval from my insurance company until I had completed all of those steps.

I wouldn't have changed a thing!

For me it took 6 months start to finish. I had to get a sleep study and then found out I had sleep apnea. Then I had to get another sleep study to get fitted for the CPAP mask. This process took about 3 months because I then had to be on the mask for a month before the pulminoligist would clear me for surgery. But once I got my insurance approval I had my RNY with a month or so. Seemed to speed by and my Surgeon was very strict about doing all of the pre-req's before they would even ask for approval from my insurance. My surgeon required me to see a nutrionist and got to 3 support meetings which are only held once a month. But my insurance approved the surgery in 2 days! I also had to have a pysch screen like Kim. Most insurance companies require that also. Then, once I got approved everything went to warp speed and it was just pre-op tests 2 weeks before actual surgery and then BAMMMM! 10 months later I have surpassed goal and am doing great! Wish you all the best and for a speedy approval if that's what you want.

I should add that part of the reason my wait was so short is that I had some major tests done this past summer so didn't have to have them repeated. If I had all of them between the OK from my insurance and surgery day it would have added about 3-4 weeks.
Jeanie

Welcome Nana!

I can see where you would be anxious! This is an amazing journey! And STILL is at almost 4 years out.

My process with Blue Shield took approximately 4 months. From the first visit to my PCP for a referral and then the seminar I had to attend, several weeks with a nutritionist, my psych eval ect. Once I was approved my date was 2 weeks later! WORTH THE WAIT!

GOOD LUCK on your journey! I hope to be a part of it!

Julie aka: Sunshine

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond. The really awesome thing to me is that, no matter how long your wait was, none have any regrets one way or the other. It's only a few days off, I'll let you know what my own doctor predicts>
Here's to an amazing 2008 for all!

I got serious about the thing in August and had the surgery that November. Part of it was the insurance, but part of it was that I wanted to schedule the surgery for a time when I wouldn't have to take time off of work. Blue Cross originally approved the surgery and they issued the date (I think it was for September), but the surgeon's office and I changed the date.

And get this: the surgeon insisted that I pay his fee with a credit card, then get reimbursed. That was a little scary, even though I paid it off immediately. If I didn't have really good credit, that could have been a hold up too. I just wish I'd have been able to charge it onto a card that would give me a free flight somewhere...

How strange. I've never heard of a Doc doing that when you have insurance.
a trip would have been a nice way to celebrate!!

Really Sandi that is too weird!!!!!!!!! He must of had some problems getting reimbursed from ins co or something I guess, but I have never heard of that before. Yeah some frequent flyer miles would have been nice. Jeeze you could have taken a trip to Italy or some where really great! LOL