pnh is @ #761

yay! the numbers are starting to move - finally! i'm 763. how long does it take from 1st dr. consult - to surgery? or is there really no way of knowing? is the dr. going to give me a hard time if i've gained weight since my orientation? what happens next? i'm just soooooo happy that the numbers have changed! 

Hi I think they said at that last meeting  Ms Boone said it is like a year time. I had my Oreintation in  Sept.07 Was called the last week in January 08then Had my first consult in February 08. Then Nutrition appt in March and my Psy apppt in April. My Pre Opp appt is May 30 and then  I will get my date for surgery. They also said  July they are not doing any Surgery's.  The doctors are really nice if you need to lose weight before they will operate on you they will tell you.    If you have any more question fire away  everyone here is very helpful. Gwen

a year from orientation to surgery or consultation to surgery? 

A year from Oreintation

I read this whole thread and am amazed this surgical group waiting period for the whole process last a YEAR or greater.  My goodness.  I felt like my process took forever, waiting for an appt for three months, then waiting for surgery for three months, but I had NO IDEA!  But thankfully your number is coming closer.  I hope the process moves swiftly for you.  Best of luck!

i know. i feel like a crazy person dealing with the long wait, but i fear changing my insurance from tricare prime to tricare standard and then - god forbid - having a complication. thanks.

And it was for that reason that I chose to NOT go PNH and instead went Tricare Standard, went to a local surgeon, and had surgery in 5 weeks from seminar date.

And my out of pocket expenses to date have been than $1000.00.

WOW it has really moved since I had ym surgery...My number was very low 600's!

Drs. Mann and Chastenet are great. They will not make you feel guilty, just want to see your 6 month  documented weight loss attempt.  If you need to lose pre op they will let you know. Keep us informed on your progress. All the best

WAIT! ..ONE MINUTE!.......AS IF I'M NOT DEVASTATED ALREADY, AFTER BEING TOLD I HAD TO BE ON A WAITING LIST WHILE I ATTENDED MEETINGS FOR 6-8 MONTHS!  (WHICH I HAVE ALREADY STARTED ON 4-10-08) YOU MEAN TO TELL ME AFTER ALL THAT WHEN MY NUMBER (872) COMES UP I HAVE ANOTHER DAMN YEAR TO GO... MY FEELINGS GET CRUSHED MORE AND MORE AS TIME GOES ON..FROM THE DATE OF MY APPROVAL THINGS SEEM TO BE GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HILL. OTHER THAN MY APPROVAL LETTER I HAVE'NT GOTTEN MUCH JOY OUT OF THIS WHOLE UP COMING PROCESS...SEEMS LIKE IT'S ONE THING AFTER THE NEXT PUSHING ME FARTHER AWAY... PNH...FIRST, IN ALL FAIRNESS LET ME SAY ..I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING WLS AT PNH...THE ORENTATION WAS GREAT..EVERY ONE ON HIS TEAM WERE GREAT! A VERY NICE AND  PATIENT STAFF.....DR. CHASTANET..WOULD DEF BE MY CHOICE..I WAS IMPRESSED HIM AND WITH ALL OF HIS TEAM PLAYERS.. BUT..WHILE TELLING US WE HAVE THE OPTION TO GO TO TRICARE STANDARD AND PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES... THEY REALLY SHOULD ALSO ADVISE US OF THIS ADDED (POTENTIAL ) YEAR THAT WE MAY FACE...(I AM EVEN MORE DEVASTATED NOW!) WHEN I BROUGHT THE VERY SUBJECT UP HE SAID THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WOULD BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE...AND THAT WE SHOULD BE AWARE GOING TO A DOC...WHO RUSHES TO A SURGERY DATE..I JUST DON'T WANT TO WAIT THAT LONG...GEESH!!!! ANOTHER SET BACK...IM GOING 2 CALL MISS BOONE IN THE AM.. AND IF ALL THIS IS IN FACT TRUE..I MIGHT JUST HAVE TO SWITCH TO TRICARE STANDARD..AND PAY CAUSE GOOD LORD THATS ALONG TIME TO WAIT.... IF ANY BODY HAS HAD SURGERY ANYWHERE (LOCAL) USING TRICARE STANDARD PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE....LET ME KNOW LOCATIONS... PHONE NUMBERS.... AND HOW MUCH IS THE OUT OF POCKET FEE....I'M DESPARATE. MORBIDLY DEVASTATED IN CHESAPEAKE.VA PATIENT55