Wait times??

Hey all just wondering how long it took you to get from your first consult to actually getting your surgery performed? I'm feeling a bit frustrated as I have been waiting for 2 years and been told to come back for another consult in another year to remain on the list.... just wondering if i should start looking for a new surgeon again :(

 

I was self-pay, so from 'decision to incision' was less than 2 months -- it could have been much shorter, but I had some family commitments to consider.

 

What is the hold up for you --- Insurance or the surgeon?   Is there a shortage of WLS surgeons in your area?

 

 

From what I have read, Canada is an entirely different ballgame than the US.

Self pay can go very fast.

I "decided" July 1st and was scheduled for Sept 14th. 1 week before my surgery the insurance denied me.  It took me until October 24th to get the denial overturned.  Due to work scheduling I have to wait until 2013 to get the time off.

 

Good luck!!

It took me from my first consult which was July 12, 2012 and my surgery is November 20th.  so roughly 4 months.  The only reason mine took four months is because I found out I had sleep apnea.  

If I were you I would probably find a different surgeon and also check with your insurance company about what their requirements are for the surgery to be approved. 

That is odd that you have been delayed so long, because it seems like most of the Canadians have a fast process. I am at the mercy of medicaid so I have a 6 month supervised wait and I am having a very hard time being patient. I can not imagine waiting years! What part of the country are you located? Is it a well populated area? Do they give you a reason for such a delay?
Good luck!

For me it was 3 months because that is what the insurance required.

You might try posting on the Ontario board - they probably would be better able to answer questions about the ins and outs of the Canadian health care system.

Good luck!

 

Man, I was recently landblasted by a Canadian when I mentioned that it could take a considerable amount of time to get wls.  They said that was long, long ago and  not the case anymore.  I guess it depends on where you live, huh?

Hey hun!  It depends what center you are going through.  I am through Toronto Western hospital.  My  dates are below in my signature... I am about 4-5 months in now and surgery looks to be maybe end of jan beginning of feb?? 

2+ years is excessive waiting time. 

Here is how it works in ontario... you get your family dr to refer you to the bariatric registry, they process and send your file to the center you will be through, they send you a letter or call you for orientation, you see each member of their team (its different for every center)... and then you see the surgeon and get a surgery booked.

if you have been waiting 2 years... time to get on the horn someone somewhere dropped the ball.

Juls

I thought so too because in BC we don't have to go thru insurance its paid for if you get a VSG or Bypass. But yes Bariatric Dr.s are in short supply here. The receptionist told me that they just started working on the 2008 year list :(