Bariatric surgery can be a life-changing event, but it is also major surgery. Various steps must be taken before health insurance or any bariatric surgeon agrees to provide you with this care. There are some situations considered emergent, and in those situations, approval may be granted quickly so that procedures can happen within days. This is not common, though.
Most of the time, patients will need to go through a series of steps, including verification of physical and mental health and a surgical risk assessment. They will also consider factors such as your ability to remain compliant and meet your doctor’s requirements, appointments, eating, and weight loss goals. Overall, this process can take several months.
Most of the time, in a rushed situation, bariatric surgery approval can take several days, but more commonly, it can take several months.
How Long From Consultation to Bariatric Surgery?
Most of the time, the process of getting from the bariatric consultation to the bariatric surgery will take six months at least. During that time, you will need to lose a specific amount of weight, adhere to various guidelines set by your doctor, and ensure you complete all necessary health updates and screenings. Most people will also need to receive psychological counseling and go through an educational program.
Ultimately, that is dependent on the insurance company and the doctor’s expectations and requirements. Most organizations have a specific treatment plan for you to follow, and as you reach the milestones within that program, it is then possible to get closer to having the procedure.
Overall, studies indicate that, in the US, it takes between 86 and 159 days for most people to have their procedure, from consultation time until the procedure date. Various other factors could play a role in this.
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