Choosing surgery date?

I am pre-op and I have read a lot on here that people are "given" their surgery date.  I am just wondering, can you choose your surgery date?  For instance, if my ins. approves the surgery and the surgeon's office wants to schedule surgery, say, in a month from then, can I tell them I can't have surgery until four months from now?

I am afraid the surgeon's office will want to do this and I won't be able to have surgery until my husbands vacation time.  Can anyone share their experience on surgery dates and how things went upon approval and your personal schedule fitting into the surgeon's.  Thanks!

Hi,

You are in charge.  Keep that in mind.  Our schedules don't always mesh with the doctor's schedule. If you are not available until July, then say so.

Just keep in mind that your insurance approval will have an expiration date on it and the surgeon will have a schedule in place.  Always avoid having to go into the next year.

Insurances often change in January and people have ended up not having coverage because they decided they needed to put surgery off until after the holidays, then learned their insurance no longer covered weight loss surgery.

If you need your husband home for childcare while you are in the hospital, then you might want to explore other childcare options.

I had to wait for six months after my approval for a slot on my surgeon's schedule.

I was told what day my surgeon's FIRST opening was and what the options were for that week and the week after.  I am sure that if I had wanted a later date, they could have put me on the schedule for whatever day I wanted, BUT my surgeon had dedicated operating room days so there was no issue with her having to schedule OR time.  Other surgeons don't have this luxury and therefore don't schedule as far out.

just talk to your surgeon's office.  I am sure they will work with you and your insurance company.

Lora

My drs. office was extremely accommodating.  You have to make sure that you are comfortable with the date and it works for your family as well.