What's The Fastest Pre-Op Clearance Can Be Done?

**unbesleevable** · 07-10-2015 10:17 AM

Right off the bat I want to say that i'm seriously not trying to rush things, I'm just curious about how fast the process can be done based on my situation.

I had the initial consultation on June 6th. My packet says that I have to do two nutrition visits and one support group, plus a ton of medical clearances. I had one nutrition visit in June, and I have one July 24th. I think that for most people the medical clearances take a long time because it takes awhile to get in with a cardiologist or pulmonologist if you've never had one before. However, I had a pulmonary embolism in 2013 and already have all these doctors so I was able to get appointments with them right away. My sleep study, pulmonary function test, chest X-ray, bloodwork, endoscopy, EKG, primary doctor clearance and psych evaluation will ALL be done by the last day of July. Plus, by July 24th i'll have completed both nutrition visits and a support group meeting.

It seems like everyone is saying that if my first consult was June 6th, I won't have the surgery until early-mid September. But i'm wondering if thats true for everyone if the requirements are met. Do I just have to sit around in August and wait? The only thing my Amerihealth policy says is "The individual must participate in preoperative surgical care through a multidisciplinary preparatory regimen including: a thorough medical clearance, consultation by a professional on low calorie diets and mental health evaluation" So it doesn't explicitly say 3, 6 or 12 months.

Is there any way my doctor could submit the packet in August and see what happens?

**SomeGuyJeff** · 07-10-2015 01:37 PM

fastest clearance?? cash

now if you want to have insurance pay for it - then you need to ask them or your doctor. theyre the ones setting the rules.

**Mikey-Might-Like-It** · 07-10-2015 02:23 PM

I went through insurance and was required to have a three month monitored diet, nut and psych evaluations, and a clearance/medical necessity letter from my PCP. I started everything on Feb 17 and had everything into my surgeon before the last day of my 3 month diet which was May 17. I got a phone call the 3rd of July to schedule my surgery for the 20th. My insurance denied the procedure once because the surgeons office didn't send all 3 months of the diet. That set me back three very frustrating weeks. So my best case scenario would've been a little under 6 months. It's a trying wait, add an extra month buffer into when you hope to have the surgery. There is a chance you could get a quick turnaround but plan for the worst and hope for the best!

**kenson** · 07-10-2015 04:21 PM

I had to have the same clearances as you did. My initial seminar and consult was October, and my surgery was in January. Most of my doctors were affiliated with my surgeon so that helped. One thing to remember is the doctor's surgery schedule. My surgery was in January only because the Christmas holidays were closing in. Also, if your doctor is requiring a pre-op diet, this may affect the timetable as well. Good luck on your journey!

**MClark** · 07-10-2015 08:09 PM

I just started the pre surgery process. The person I spoke with today said that after I complete all the requirements they schedule the surgery. My surgeons schedule is booking 6 weeks out. So, if everything goes smoothly I should be having surgery late September. I think that 3 months is pretty average wait.
I understand your impatience though....I think once we decide in our head we want it to happen.
Take care.

**Belle22** · 07-10-2015 10:15 PM

I had everything satisfied for the insurance company by the end of November. Unfortunately there were no surgery dates left until January. Then I got the horrible news that my insurance company was changing. I was told by HR that all the insurance benefits would stay the same. My surgeon just had to submit my surgery request. Then I find out that the new company DOES require 6 months instead of the 3 I had done with Blue Cross. Fortunately they counted the 3 months I already finished. I couldn't get into nutritionist until the end of January. Therefore my 3 more months was up end of March. The pre-cert was sent in. I was approved in 2 weeks. Then I had to get on the surgery schedule. I am almost done with my preadmission testing. Long story short. Don't get set on a certain time period. Some people have no problems at all. I had unusual circumstances that most people don't have. My point is that be prepared for more than 3 months. If it is sooner, that will be great. Sometimes things move quickly and other times they don't. Good luck. I hope things go smoothly.

**readytochangemylife** · 07-11-2015 06:24 AM

Yep, self pay is the quickest. I had my consultation on Sept 27th (2013) and doctor scheduled the surgery for Oct 24th. I already had my PCP letter and my release from my heart doctor. Did not have to have anything else. My doctor scopes the upper GI during surgery so I didn't have to have that done. All I had to do is start my pre-op liquids 5 days before the surgery.

**mackie0601** · 07-11-2015 09:00 AM

I had a few hold ups during my process...such as the consults from the specialists not getting to my surgeon in a timely manner. My sleep study was not sent to him for 4 weeks. I thought I was on the ball with things...but that one little glitch added another 4 weeks to my pre-op time.