Linda M.
The waiting game
Aug 18, 2007
I Faxed my OCC on Aug 8/07 and am waiting axiously to hear whether I am approved. I felt such a sense of relief when I finally sent the fax however I did not expect the extremely difficult wait to hear a response back. I find myself at times consumed by not knowing. I am really hoping that I get approved--I can't remember a time in my life when I wanted something this much. Keeping my fingers crossed. I also called Barix and got a date for my consultation for Aug 29/07.
I called OHIP on Aug 22 to get an update on my application...the lady told me that she didn't have an update...and I wouldn't get one until about 8 weeks have passed. I got off the phone frustrated because I just wanted to make sure that there were no delays or steps that I need to take and she was of no help. I was terrified that there may be some minor item missing from the application and it would delay my approval and that I wouldn't even know about it.
I felt uneasy leaving the situation as is so the following day on Aug 23, I called the Kingston office to see if they would tell me something different. I must have tried calling about 50 times during the day. I finally got through about 3:30pm. I inquired about my application and was told that my application was pending further info from my doctor. First I was relieved that the Kingston office actually released this tidbit of info to me as the Thunder Bay office wouldn't release anything when I tried calling the day before. Secondly, I was glad I followed my instinct and followed up. Thirdly I was upset at the Thunder Bay office for not wanting to assist me in anyway..and had I not followed up on it, this would be a bigger delay then it is now. I was also not pleased with the doctor for not letting me know this. The lady told me that they had contacted my doctor on the 15th of Aug which was exactly a week after I had faxed in my application and I have now waited 2 weeks in vain.
So now I am left feeling terrified that I will not be approved. I feel so anxious that it's making me feel sick to my stomache.
I am left now to sort out this additional info that ohip is requesting from the doctor. I actually despise the thought of my life depending on someone else to fill out and/or send out paperwork.
I went to see my doctor on Aug 28/07 to find out what additional info OHIP was requesting. It turns out that they wanted to know which GB procedure my doctor was recommending. She had failed to specify RNY (and I failed to notice) and they also wanted my height and weight as she only specified my BMI. She did not want to specifiy which procedure, she insisted that the surgeon performing the operation specifiy which one. This didn't sit to well for me, but I thought, maybe I could just get the surgeon to write a note, as I would be leaving for my Barix consultation the next day anyway.
I went for my consultation at Barix in Michigan on 29 Aug/07...it was a pretty long drive. My sister came with me, which is awesome because it would have been a lonely drive by myself. The appointment was for 12:30pm, we got there around 10am, early but I'd rather be that than late. They took a group of us in for an orientation/info session with Dr. Schramm. He seemed to be nice guy, he was to the point and informative. Later everyone had a one on one with a nurse to answer medical history questions than with the Dr. We also had a chance to talk to previous WLS patients, which was nice. I thought, okay, I'm one step closer..however, not having OHIP approval was driving me crazy. I asked Dr. Schramm to write me a note saying he recommends the RNY..but I was disappointed with what he gave me. I told him I need something with his letter head, maybe even just a prescription note stating the type of procedure and he left the room. He came back with his business card and wrote on the back "Roux-en-Y", and I looked at it a little confused. I explained to him that, the back of his business card was not exactly what I had in mind as I couldn't really fax that to ohip, that would be like me taking an old business card and writing RNY on the back..it doesn't suit the purpose much. So he came back again, this time with a fax cover sheet..not filled out...no where on it did it have his name or letter head and again wrote those words on it. This time, I gave up..either he was purposefully trying to avoid writing me what I asked for ..or he just did not understand. So, like I said, I was feeling dissappointed.
Aug 30/07--first thing in the morning, I rushed out to get the OHIP application re-faxed, this time including height/weight and the type of procedure. I am truly now crossing my fingers that it will work and that OHIP will not bounce it back again. I am still a nervous and anxious wreck. I just want to know OHIP's decision. I am planning on appealing it if they say no and am prepared to do just that. If they say yes..then I will have small celebration for myself..by myself..if even only in my head.
I called OHIP several times for the next couple of weeks trying to sort out my application. All stressed out..a sort of depression was starting to set in.
Aug 18/2007-I received a call from Barix...my appplication was approved! I was so relieved and overjoyed. The worst was over. My new life was to begin.
Aug 19/07-I have a surgery date!!! It's sheduled for Oct 9/07..sooner than I expected after getting my approval..I was told at least mid-oct. My pre-op testing is on Oct 1/07. Wow..I can't believe things are actually happening. I am so relieved.
Oct 11/07-Well I had my surgery on the 9th. I still can't believe it that the day finally came. I am home and feeling better than I expected. Minimal pain and moving around nicely.
I called OHIP on Aug 22 to get an update on my application...the lady told me that she didn't have an update...and I wouldn't get one until about 8 weeks have passed. I got off the phone frustrated because I just wanted to make sure that there were no delays or steps that I need to take and she was of no help. I was terrified that there may be some minor item missing from the application and it would delay my approval and that I wouldn't even know about it.
I felt uneasy leaving the situation as is so the following day on Aug 23, I called the Kingston office to see if they would tell me something different. I must have tried calling about 50 times during the day. I finally got through about 3:30pm. I inquired about my application and was told that my application was pending further info from my doctor. First I was relieved that the Kingston office actually released this tidbit of info to me as the Thunder Bay office wouldn't release anything when I tried calling the day before. Secondly, I was glad I followed my instinct and followed up. Thirdly I was upset at the Thunder Bay office for not wanting to assist me in anyway..and had I not followed up on it, this would be a bigger delay then it is now. I was also not pleased with the doctor for not letting me know this. The lady told me that they had contacted my doctor on the 15th of Aug which was exactly a week after I had faxed in my application and I have now waited 2 weeks in vain.
So now I am left feeling terrified that I will not be approved. I feel so anxious that it's making me feel sick to my stomache.
I am left now to sort out this additional info that ohip is requesting from the doctor. I actually despise the thought of my life depending on someone else to fill out and/or send out paperwork.
I went to see my doctor on Aug 28/07 to find out what additional info OHIP was requesting. It turns out that they wanted to know which GB procedure my doctor was recommending. She had failed to specify RNY (and I failed to notice) and they also wanted my height and weight as she only specified my BMI. She did not want to specifiy which procedure, she insisted that the surgeon performing the operation specifiy which one. This didn't sit to well for me, but I thought, maybe I could just get the surgeon to write a note, as I would be leaving for my Barix consultation the next day anyway.
I went for my consultation at Barix in Michigan on 29 Aug/07...it was a pretty long drive. My sister came with me, which is awesome because it would have been a lonely drive by myself. The appointment was for 12:30pm, we got there around 10am, early but I'd rather be that than late. They took a group of us in for an orientation/info session with Dr. Schramm. He seemed to be nice guy, he was to the point and informative. Later everyone had a one on one with a nurse to answer medical history questions than with the Dr. We also had a chance to talk to previous WLS patients, which was nice. I thought, okay, I'm one step closer..however, not having OHIP approval was driving me crazy. I asked Dr. Schramm to write me a note saying he recommends the RNY..but I was disappointed with what he gave me. I told him I need something with his letter head, maybe even just a prescription note stating the type of procedure and he left the room. He came back with his business card and wrote on the back "Roux-en-Y", and I looked at it a little confused. I explained to him that, the back of his business card was not exactly what I had in mind as I couldn't really fax that to ohip, that would be like me taking an old business card and writing RNY on the back..it doesn't suit the purpose much. So he came back again, this time with a fax cover sheet..not filled out...no where on it did it have his name or letter head and again wrote those words on it. This time, I gave up..either he was purposefully trying to avoid writing me what I asked for ..or he just did not understand. So, like I said, I was feeling dissappointed.
Aug 30/07--first thing in the morning, I rushed out to get the OHIP application re-faxed, this time including height/weight and the type of procedure. I am truly now crossing my fingers that it will work and that OHIP will not bounce it back again. I am still a nervous and anxious wreck. I just want to know OHIP's decision. I am planning on appealing it if they say no and am prepared to do just that. If they say yes..then I will have small celebration for myself..by myself..if even only in my head.
I called OHIP several times for the next couple of weeks trying to sort out my application. All stressed out..a sort of depression was starting to set in.
Aug 18/2007-I received a call from Barix...my appplication was approved! I was so relieved and overjoyed. The worst was over. My new life was to begin.
Aug 19/07-I have a surgery date!!! It's sheduled for Oct 9/07..sooner than I expected after getting my approval..I was told at least mid-oct. My pre-op testing is on Oct 1/07. Wow..I can't believe things are actually happening. I am so relieved.
Oct 11/07-Well I had my surgery on the 9th. I still can't believe it that the day finally came. I am home and feeling better than I expected. Minimal pain and moving around nicely.
