Mine was a year, almost 13 months from when I went to my family practice Dr and then started the insurance paperwork so I could get approval to see a weight loss surgeon. then the Insurance required supervised weight loss. Then all the pre op consults and nutrition counseling and surgery was scheduled for November. Then I had to have emergency gall bladder surgery so I pushed the procedure back 3 months after that. Finally, on Feb 12 of this year I had surgery. When I started the process, I really thought I'd have the surgery last summer but it took me until September just to get all the pre-op consults completed. The good thing was that I had plenty of time to make some lifestyle changes, change some habits and make the mental changes needed.

I'm just starting as well! Good luck!

It took 9 months for me to get my surgery date. I got pretty impatient towards the end of the process, but looking back I was glad to have the time to make the changes in my life that would help me post-surgery. Having surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only has my health improved, so has my quality of life! Good luck to you!

My experience has been just what was described verbally and in written form through my weight management team. I had to get through exercise level, psychological and health clearances in order to move forward, which happened quite fast. I was sleeved on 2/5/14 after much research and thought put into it. I attended an information meeting open to anyone in late October and started the process in early November 2013. It was extremely helpful to have the time prior to surgery so I could get used to eating protein first and not drink with meals (my hardest part), and break my meals into 5 - 6 small meals per day and at least start some type of exercise.

10 days prior to my surgery I went on a special diet rich in protein and fiber that was purchased through the program. My recovery was very quick, I had no nausea and followed the in-depth instructions for post surgery and eating stages. I have just started to eat soft foods, and have no problem as long as I remember to eat and chew slowly no more than a few ounces at any one time.

I hope your surgery and recovery will be as quick and pain free as most of us have experienced. In fact, most days I have to remind myself that surgery even took place.

Keep us posted and feel free to ad me as a friend and there are no silly or stupid questions or concerns with individuals in this group and I have gained plenty of first-hand information and guidance from several people.

12 months for me, my insurance required me to take nutrition classes and psych classes for six months. Once the class was done and the instructors cleared you, they would send a letter to your insurance and pcp letting them know your done and recommended for surgery. Then you started your preop appts. Ie seeing the surgeon, getting your EGD, and EKG and blood work. Once those are clear the surgeon will schedule surgery. At least that is how it happened for me. It went by really fast for me, and I'm happy that I did it. I'm three weeks post op and feel great! Good luck to you!

6 months for ins approval then 3 wks to schedule surgery. I have a non-lifting job at a desk, surg on wed, back at work mon. I needed the distraction. After 7 days of broth(pre-op/post op) I was sooo head hungry. 6 months is a good amount of time to go to support group meetings and talking to people and realizing that this is ONLY a tool. You will let go of your Kryptonite foods and the surgery will help you with real hunger and proper portions...or you will continue your bad habits lose 20lb and gain it all back. During those 6 months I focused on WLS failure to find out what I was really facing, I watched videos and read blogs and talked to people. It was exactly as my surgeon said. They did not eat a non processed diet of 70%protein,25% veg-no potato5%whole grain carb. They continued to medicate with food instead of dealing with their problems. They grazed instead of sticking to 3 meals (3/4 -1 cup) and 1 snack per day. The key always seemed to be the refusal to let go of Kryptonite foods. When people ask about my wt loss secret and I say I no longer eat wheat, rice or potato-they say "Never mind".

I am preop too!
I am in Canada, so my journey will be different as far as time lines. (Insurance isn't an issue, for me, it's getting in)

I had my referral sent in from my family doctor in June of 2012. I got a call in December of 2013 (18 months after my referral) from the WLS program.

I went for my orientation in January of 2014 (19 months after my referral)

That was the longest part so far of my journey, and that's about the same for everyone doing this program in BC. Although, I have heard that the wait is now 2-3 years from the 18 months I waited to start the program.
*There are only TWO bariatric programs in BC. The one i'm in (Richmond BC) and one in Victoria BC, that I hear has a 7+ YEAR waitlist.
During the 18 months that I waited, I did a LOT of reasearch. I found out what I needed to do in order to have my surgery, and what i'd need to do for after. I started making those changes, and lost 55 pounds (I slipped and gained back 15, but that's life, and i'm ok with it)

After the orientation, getting the surgery depends on the person, and how ready they are.

I had my appt with the psych in Feb 2014, and was cleared for surgery.

I am also currently working with an excersise psychologist (who is part of my program) who has cleared me for surgery. He said I am ready now, and wants me to do it sooner than later. I am hoping for June, because I am off work Jun 13 for 12 weeks. I can't afford to take time off for surgery. He really wants me to go in before June, but I can't. I get his reasoning. He says he doesn't want me to lose my motivation. I think i'm doing ok. Hanging in there. LOL

I saw the nutritionist in Feb of 2014, and she gave me some things to work on. I see her again next week (March 2014) and hope that she will clear me for surgery (She's the last one who has to clear me before I can see the surgeon and set a date)

I have had all my bloodwork done. Ultrasound done, sleep apnea test done, and now I am doing the logistical stuff, like see the preop docs.
I see the respirologist on Monday. Hopefully see the surgeon in the next month or so, and go from there.

So far I am on track for late June, early July.

Mentally and physically I am ready. It's just work & life holding me back.

We don't really have any insurance things that need to be done for approval. It's the surgeon who approves us.
Sleeve & RNY are covered in my Province. Lapband is not.

That's where I am in my journey!