Is there a system for surgeries

I'm just curious about this.  I've been watching people get their dates for surgery, but their referral dates are all over the place.  I would have thought that surgery would be assigned based on referral date, kind of first referral in, first surgery booked.  But it doesn't look like that's how it goes.  I see people with later referral dates than others getting their surgery dates first.  Just wondered if there's any system to this process.

 Each center has different process times. For example, TWH and St Joe's have some of the fastest times, Ottawa and HRRH some of the slowest.  So you'll see people referred to TWH get orientation and surgery before Ottawa referrals even get their first orientation meeting.

I've wondered that too.  Im guessing [and I've always assumed] that priority is given to people who must have the surgery immediately - people with co-morbidities, but I dont know for sure. 

Hi Megan,

I think it also depends on where you live.  When your referal goes to the registry they assign you a surgeon based on your postal code and also which surgeon has the most available dates.  I'm not sure but from what I understand, the turnover in Toronto seems to be quicker than surrounding areas.  Sorry I couldn't be much help but maybe someone else will chime in.

It just caught my eye that someone posted a surgery date with a fall referral date, but I know of others, including myself, whose referral dates are months earlier but with no surgery date yet - to the same surgical site.  There must be more to this than we know.

I think it has to do with which surgeon you are assigned to and which hospital they work out of. Sometimes you get an early orientation time and then your surgery is months away sometimes you wait months for orientation and then get a date really soon. I don't think there is a real formula unfortunately.

My father and I had our referrals put through on the same date , I have no underlying medical conditions therefore I need no other tests, I have met my surgeon(first appointment), then I have all other 3 appointments on the same day (April 29). My dad goes for his first appointment in 2 weeks and then his other 3 on the same day in May.
I was able to get a date for surgery because the surgeon said he knew I wouls ahve no other tests to be done .
and  will be 8 months to almost the day from the time my referral went in to whn I havew my surgery.
I  know a couple people who went to the same area and had it done is 6 months
So I guessif  there's a formula to it  we don't know what it is .

My GP referral was sent December 2009 to Ottawa, June 2010 I met Dr. Shiau and she approved my referral for RNY. Feb 1, 2011 I received my invitation to orientation attended on Feb.14th and signed my form to continue the process....waiting for the next appointment which will be with the nurse (told it would be another month roughly).

My daughter was referred to Ottawa in July of 2010, she called Ottawa in Jan 2011 and asked to be sent to HRRH (slightly closer for her) She received her invitation to orientationat HRRH March 7th went and has her next appointment with Dr. on April 1, 2011.

Different centres and much different time lines for waiting.  HRRH has more surgeons and staff than Ottawa.  Ottawa is adding a surgeon at the end of August and if another posters information regarding Dr. Shiau shadowing Dr. Yelle is a sign they could be considering adding another in the future. 

There are also two more  Regional Assessment Treatment  Centres (non-surgical) being opened in the near future one of those being in Kingston at the Hotel Dieu and the other
at Sudbury Regional Hospital.

The Bariatric Nework website offers information on each centre, what to expect from them, what each step is. www.ontariobariatricnetwork.ca

Good luck in you journey.

Tracey

It also is based on if people went through the registry or not.. Or different cir****tances..it all depends on the center and surgeons..like with me I was persistent with how my appts,results a nd chart was being handled I called the assessment center till I got an answer then once my chart was sent I called hamilton to see how things were on their end..u have to keep on them...it will happen soon enough..I'm still waiting for a surgery date Tammy

Some of the different time lines depend on how many test you need done before surgery. I needed 2 separate test for my heart and a gastric scope. I did not need a sleep apnea test. Some people need to get their vitamins and minerals up or thyroid adjusted correctly. They will not give you an appointment until all test come back normal.