How long after the interview did you get the visa?

[Tim_and_Giusi 0]

After five months of being separated from my wife and our two small children, we finally have the interview date in Naples. I need to fly to Italy to pick her up because she cannot travel to the US alone with our two kids (2.5 and 1 year old) and obviously I would like to go sooner rather than later. Also, because she is having a difficult time finding a babysitter for her two day adventure in Naples (medical exam plus interview) it would be easier if I were there.

I am considering flying to Italy to accompany her and the kids to Naples and leave for the US the day after the interview (I have to get back to work). I have read in the review section that everyone gets their visa in Naples the same day as the interview but it is still a risk. It does seem strange that the medical exam takes place the day before the interview and that they do an HIV test. How do they determine the results of the HIV test in time to issue a visa the very next day?

I don't expect any problems at the interview. We have been married for 7 years and even went through this process once before...unfortunately we gave up her first green card when we decided to move back to Europe. All the papers are in order.

Any comments from anyone who has gone through this? Has anyone made travel plans only to find out that the visa was not issued in time to fly back together? Should I roll the dice on this one? Thanks for the help!