Ottawa wait time to surgery?

Hello there - this is my first time posting on this forum.  I was referred to the Ottawa hospital about a month ago by my doctor.  Does anyone have any idea how long it will take to get to the actual surgery?  I have seen positngs online anywhere from one year to five years so it is confusing.  Any help/input would be much appreciated.

Welcome!

SOME FRIENDLY ADVICE...

By now your doctor should have received a fax confirming that the Registry has processed your registration. It's a good idea to give your doctor's office a call to make sure they got it. I know of some people who have waited months only to discover that Registry didn't receive their info, and they had to start from scratch!

The fax should include your Registry ID # and the Centre you've been assigned to (don't assume that it's the one closest to you... the Registry made an error with my application and if I hadn't checked the confirmation fax and followed up it wouldn't have been corrected). Write down the phone number/address of the Centre (it should be on the fax but can also be found online).

Once you have your ID # call the Centre you've been assigned to and confirm with them that you're on their radar too. You can let them know that you're interested in cancellations if they come up. They might have a cancellation list or may tell you to call back once a month to check. Every Centre is different, so some don't back-fill cancelled spots, but it's worth a try!!!

WAIT TIMES...

It seems like wait times vary between Centres. If you read people's signatures you can get an idea of their timetables. Once people go through Orientation, I'm assuming that they are triaged based on medical need, so if you have co-morbidities be sure to list them on any questionnaires you're sent.

RESOURCES

St Joe's Manual:
http://www.stjoes.ca/media/PatientED/U-Z/PD%206000%20Bariatric%20Surgery%20-%20Gastric%20Bypass%20February%2029%202012.pdf.

Books:
At my Orientation they recommended the following books, which I bought through Chapters (the best prices I could find and free shipping):
"Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think" by Brian Wansink.
"The Complete Weight-Loss Surgery Guide and Diet Program: Includes 150 Delicious and Nutritious Recipes" by Laz Klein and Sue Ekserci (over half the book is about the surgery and the other half is actual recipes).
"Gastric Bypass Surgery: The Psychological Journey" by Ranesa McNally.

Websites:
"Weekly Food Diary" from www.personal-nutrition-guide.com
www.sparkpeople.com

Good luck!!!

Thank you!

hi i am also a newbie,, but i can see that i am a little farther along then you so i can finally give some advice instead of getting it,, so here is my 2 cents,,, my doctor put in my  Referral: May 22, 2013. Kingston got paper my work: June 18, 2013. Orientation package received: August 12, 2012. Orientation at HDH: August 28, 2013

I am in Ottawa and my doctor sent my referral in last Sept, my orientation was in November and my surgery is 2 weeks from today!!!!!

Good luck jen1016!!

It was the one thing that caused me the most frustration through the process! There were people sailing through Ottawa in as little as 3 months, myself it was 2 years from referral, others I saw up to 3 years! I still have no idea how they decide these things. Now, 6 months out (and 100+ lbs down...woohoo!) my best advice is to just enjoy the ride. Get as much knowledge as you can now. Change your diet and exercise routine now; even small steps will make your life so much easier afterward. Start therapy if feel you need to deal with any food issues.
My 2 cents

My wait was exactly 2 years....because of hold ups like waiting for the results of the sleep study.  If Id of realized I would have kept calling the clinic to get an earlier appointment or to remind the receptionist that I was available for a cancellation appointment.  Goodluck (also when the clinic called I took accepted a surgery date with a new surgeon even though I hadnt met them as it was an earlier date)

Well thank you everyone who has replied, I really appreciate it. Hopefully I will hear something within the next few months about an appointment for the orientation.  My sister has offered to come with me for support, which is great.