Question about the sleeve surgery

[smilez19135]

Hello I'm new to the site. My name is Mercedes and I'm from Philadelphia, I went in for the consultation app. A few days ago and they said with my insurance I might have to wait 6months before I can get it. How long did it take after your first sit down with the doctors to get your app? Also how soon did you finish all the apps. That's you had to get done? I'm not sure where to start with getting all the stuff done. Please help

[speedracer]

First appointment was September 25th 2012, surgery was 2/18/2013, so 146 days. You dont want to rush this too much! There are tests that need to be completed, nutritionist's to be seen, diatician to be met, a few surgeon appointments to follow up with. Gives you time to prepare, and remember, nothing is stopping you from losing weight today! I started the day of my appoinment, because the weight they submitted, was the weight and BMI info of my initial appointment! Best of luck to you-

Sept 25th- 1st surgeon appt full eval on options: sleeve vs bypass
Oct 10th- Physc eval
Nov 1 met with nutritionist
Nov 15 met with diatician
dec 1 met with nutrtionist and surgeon
jan 2 met with nutrionist
jan 31st met with nutrionist and surgeon
Feb 1st got a copy of all of my medical records
Feb 4th did breathing machine test (to see how many calories I burn an hour)
Feb 7th did full blood work panel and pre op eval at hospital, EKG and urine analysis along with barium swallow and ct of tummy
Feb 9th wrote a living will
Feb 14th, met with surgeron and surgeons assitant (the person who actually did my stitches, I made good friends with him)
Feb 18th woke up at 4am, hugged everyone, and headed to hospital for surgery, 1st on the table
April 2nd- down 50 pounds, and wishing to hell I had done this 5 years ago!!!!!

Knowing hindsight is 20/20-----------------------P R I C E L E S S !

[smilez19135]

Thanks a lot

[Michael Smalley]

I had my first appt. with the surgeon on 8-30-12. I had the EKG, bloodwork, and psych eval done the same day.

Once all that was done I met with the nutrionist (I flew in to Seattle from Alaska so I tried to get as much done as I could in one day). After everything was cleared I began the insurance mandated three month diet which ended in December. I could have had the surgery mid-to-late December but had decided to wait until Feb or March to make sure I had all the time off from work I needed. Around January the surgeon decided he wanted me to have a sleep study to rule out apnea so I had that done 1-17-13. Once I had that clearance all that was left to do was make the date. I chose 3-21-13 and that was that. I flew in to Seattle 3-18-13 and had my pre-op consult, another set of labs drawn, one more consult with their pulmonologist for a few days of CPAP and then the day was upon me. Here I am. 12 days later.

[Debcan]

My first appt with the surgeon was Sept 4 and my surgery day was Nov 27th. My surgery came fast. It all depends on what your insurance requires. Mine only required one visit each to the psychologist and dietician. Between that time I also had an ultrasound of my gall bladder, an EGD, colonoscopy, chest xray and bloodwork. I know some insurances require 6 months of psych and diet appts. It was the best decision I've made for myself. The best of everything to you!

[MysticalMaybe]

You should contact your insurance and see how they run things. With mine they tell you that you have to do a 12 week class before anything. While in that class i have done my blood work, Ekg, x-rays. This friday i see the doctor that will preform the surgery after everything is completed and if i get the ok to have it. This is all part of that class and once your in it they take you through the whole process. This is only my 6 week in the class and i get to see the doctor for the first time. I have Kaiser and the class is called Options.

[laydlyke]

My first appointment was 3/18/13. I seen the Nutritionist the same day. I had an upper GI on 3/21/13. I have my psych eval on 4/8/13 and sugery consult on 4/11/13. My surgery date has been set for 4/23/13. I could have sped it up some with the psych eval but I had to give myself time to get the money together. I have BCBS and they did not require 6 months worth of doctor-assisted diet. That may be the 6 months they were telling you about. Check with your insurance company to see what they require. Good Luck.

[krwashi75]

My first appointment was on 12/27/11. My surgery was on 7/2/12. I know people who have been in the program for over four years because they don't want to follow the requirements. The best thing to do is try to absorb all the information they are going to give you over the next six months. Time will pass by very fast.

[ayoung]

Hi Mercedes! The best advice I can give you is to call your insurance company and find out who your case manager is. Then deal directly with them. Find out what all of their requirements are and then start checking them off your list. There should also be a web site for your insurance company for you to print the requirements off for your records. I have BCBS and started my journey with first consult 2/1 and had surgery 3/25. Their only requirements were 1 nutrition visit, 1 psych visit. It only took that long because I chose the sleeve and my Doctor requires an EGD with all of his sleeve patients. And that was his next available EGD appointment. So you see it really does depend on your insurance company. Good luck to you and this site is the absolute best. It has taught me so much, and it feels like family. So stay in touch.

[BlindJustice]

My pre-surgery informational seminar was March 2011. My United Healthcare required 6 month pre-op diet began in May 2011. I only had to have not gained a pound during that time frame to qualify. My BMI was 52 at my 1st dietician meeting on Oct 3, 2011. I weighed 357 lbs. On that day I had an epiphany. My new life started that day. I lost 40lbs pre-op. My surgery was on Dec 21, 2011. I was SO worried that I wouldn't get my surgery by the end of the year. (my deductible was paid). I kept in constant contact with my insurance and my surgeon's office until I got a date set. You have to be proactive to get this done! I didn't have to pay anything for my surgery. I got my EOB from my insurance in January and it said the expenses billed to my insurance was $30,000. Thank you Angels for my wonderful insurance coverage! My next step will be trying to get a tummy tuck covered. I have about 30-40lbs to hit my goal, but I'm starting the process to see if I can get this scheduled soon. I am SO happy with my new life!!

[Mermaidmb]

My first appointment was mid September and I had to have a visit with psychiatrist, nutritionist, an EKG, chest X-ray, ultrasound of my stomach, an endoscopy and I had some irregular on the EKG which I then had to have cardiologist clear me. The cardiologist made me do the venous stress test, ultrasound of my heart and scan of my leg veins. Once I had all that it took about 3 weeks to get a surgery date which was 12/26/12. I would say 6 months is average with insurance to get a date for surgery, each insurance is different so call and find out what you will need. The other option is to pay cash and go to Mexico but I wanted to use my insurance since I've paid for it faithfully for years.