Confused about mixed messages Re. Surgery Date!! (Ottawa)

At the dietitian/behaviourist group meeting  (2nd last meeting before surgery), we were told that generally speaking, after your surgeon (final) meeting you days later get a call and are assigned a surgery date on average about 3 weeks from the surgeon meeting.  Well Thursday 28th of March I met my surgeon and he said...it could be between 2 and 6 weeks before I even get the call, and then 3 weeks after that the surgery date.  I, like many people are eager to get the date soon BUT sooner or later...I need the date for work reasons because of what I do.

Also, it was sprung on me by the surgeon that there was a note on file that I was to have a sleep test done...BUT no one informed me.  He as the surgeon said he wasn't concerned but the Anesthesiologist could possibly care and put things on hold!! Yikes... I'm happy to have it done but I've been waiting for 3 years and I'm getting anxious and now confused because I left the appointment not sure if there was going to be another step now or just surgery date to be assigned? Do I nag my own family doctor to set something up quick (sleep study)?

 

The various folks who serve the bariatric system are coming from different angles and different knowledge levels.  You are probably just receiving info based upon their different understandings of the system.  I can not answer who is most knowledgeable.  

If I were you I would run back to your GP and have him/her book a sleep study asap, then find out who they referred you to for that and follow up directly with them for any cancelations so they can slip you in.  The surgeon isn't the one who is responsible for keeping you breathing during surgery, that is the anesthesiologists' concern, so the sleep study is their primary concern.  However once you are transferred to recovery the surgeon then becomes responsible for you again (through their residents) and then you will need the CPAP again if you have sleep apnea.   

Just my opinion.  

I was considering that option (GP) route ASAP too...thanks. What was other's timelines (from Ottawa) out of curiosity?

You need to get in touch with the Nurse-co-ordinator of your case....ask he or she.... if a referral to the Sleep Study at the Royal Ottawa just down the street on Carling is necessary  (I was told it  is the Weight clinic's favourite choice) I believe his name is Dr. Douglas....but that was last year..my memory is a little rusty....... and mention you were told by your surgeon that the Anesthesiologist could put your case on hold if not done...  she should be able to see if  test is absolutely necessary.

It took me  over 2 years of meeting with specialist and tests...and  delays with administration....twice my file got left sitting on a desk for 3 mths at a time.   (a fair warning...one receptionist is miserable at times  and the other one is an absolute pet...so don't take any guff)  I gently pushed and I couldn't believe my file just sat there for 3 months...excuse being...a specialist had not replied to their phone calls.   that was November 2012 to January 2013... then back last year from Jun 2012 to september 2012...awaiting another test.  they apologized that they forgot that time. 

I wish you all the best.  ... I finally have my surgery next friday.april12th 2013   and they will automatically send you a letter to your employer (ie: to whome it may concern) the period of time you must be off... I got one.

GOD BLESS

and keep plugging away at it... your turn will come too!

Funnelcloud (Barb)

 

Thanks Barb, I think my file had been missed a time or two, 3 yrs seems crazy long.  I did myself delay initially but didn't drag it out to 3yrs.  I have read a few peoples notes on here about taking charge and I think it's time I do more of that instead of sitting quiet and play nice.

Perhaps you could contact the nurse (was it Yarrow?) and ask if she was the one who put the sleep study not on your file.  It is the nurse who orders the tests in most cases.  Maybe it was a mistake and could be removed?

Other than that, you could have your GP fax a referralasap to one of the sleep study clinics.   I had mine done at the General campus on Smyth Road.   I called the sleep clinic to see if they had any cancelations and they fit me in that same week on a Friday night.  They said they have the most cancelations on Friday nights.

Good luck.   I have my surgeon appointment on April 4 and was thinking the same thing that I may get some bad news about more tests required.

I'm having my surgery in Toronto at Humber river. I met my surgeon march 28th as well and that day not only did I have my surgery date may 7th but bought my optifast before I left as well. Guess all the hospitals are different

My surgery is at Humber too. Met the surgeon February 14, that day got a surgery date of April 16 and got all my optifast too. Was there yesterday for all my preop testing which took almost four hours !! Cant wait for the 16 th.