Not sure how it is in Canada, but here in the States most insurance companies require an advance letter from the surgeon stating the patient's symptoms, supportive documentation, and surgical plan. If the surgeon gets the letter out soon after your consultation, you would be looking at 2-4 weeks to be approved, and probably another 2-4 weeks (if the surgeon is reasonably busy) to have the surgery, if scheduled as soon as the insurance approval comes through (and assuming you have no risk-elevating medical conditions). Often times, the insurance companies will require documentation that you have been through at least 6 months of "conservative therapy" protocols - including chiropractor (!) involvement- which clearly adds many months to the wait. So it is probably favorable that you are in Canada . . . Of course, you can choose to proceed "out of pocket", the advantages of which are much shorter waiting time (usually by that month wait for approval), and no need to follow insurance "requirements" as to how much tissue need be removed (ranges anywhere from 500-800gm minimum here, which usually translates to approximately 2-3 cup sizes). So if you want to remain on the larger side, you may consider side-stepping the insurance gauntlet altogether, which here in the states can be quite daunting. Best of luck!