the wait

I just read the blog of someone in canada who decided to look into surgery on oct 09, had consult in dec 09 and is having surgery nov 10! i REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DESCREPANCY IN WAIT TIMES... the reason? ive been on "list" since fall 05-my first consult was may 08... my second( one yr is my fault but wow.. ) was feb 09
i am scheduled and happy about that but next march?
is there not enough doctors just in our area? is that the problem?

Are you with WEIGHT WISE?  I had my first apt with them on jan 25th.  on my most recent apt... March 11th... she told me that  my next apt .. my nurse.. could possibly have me talk to the surgon. Yes i know that doenst mean ... im on the list.. but i asked her why it was soo soon .. * as i was thinking i was going to be in the program for over a year before even seeing the surgon* she told me that they have re evaluated the program and are tryin to cut back on the wait times.  

Are you in the APPLE research study??

Sarah

I had my inital assessment with Weight Wise on August 5/09. After that all the appts and pre-op tests and procedures ( sleep apnea study, body scan etc) have made the last 8 months fly by.
I have been told in the beginning that we'd be in the program for 9 months where we'd see the surgeon at the end if that was the road we were goign to go down.
I go on April 13th to see my RN and he's already said that would likely be our last appt as he really doesn't need to see me anymore and I should be signed off from the others as well. I see Dr. Sharma that day and well and hopefully get my appt with the surgeon for a week or 2 beyond that.  I was told I could have suregery as soon as August, 2010.
I think we all vary due to medical conditions, outcome of how we are progressing in the program, how we follow the "rules" of life change etc.
I sent my referral to Weight Wise in March 08, and got the call in March 09 to come for assesment in June after my babywas born. I thought even that was fast.. My experience is moving very quickly, but my weight is also dropping off fast too.

i'm in southern Albert so I am seein Dr Nohr, from what i gather there iss no other one around here. I have heard many good things about him, but no there is no study, no groups etc..just wait...

 You could always try for a referral to Dr Farries. He's in Red Deer. He only takes referrals on May 1, but since May 1 lands on Saturday this year, it will either be April 30 or May 3 that he's taking the referrals. All you have to do is have your doctor's office call in to his office and then speak with the booking person who gives you a date for your FIRST appointment (the first of many) and then your doctor faxes in the information after that. Normal wait from the time you get in to the time you have surgery is a year. You do need to follow a very strict diet and lose a certain amount of weight, keep a detailed food journal, and if you gain weight on his diet he will CANCEL your surgery. He does have more options for surgery available though as he does lap band, the sleeve, and rny. Just another idea for you you. 

*hugs*

Hi Chickie;

I orginally responded to your post thinking your doctor WAS Dr. Farries until I re-read things...  OOPS!

Good luck with your surgery on Monday, all the best!

Any tips on Dr. Farries - and what made you decide on Dr. Nohr?

I get my referral to Dr. Farries on Monday!!!

What made me decide on Dr Nohr was easy.... I didn't have to wait for a particular day to roll around to have a referral sent in, and he's much closer to where I live. Medicine Hat is only 1-1/2 hours away from me, Red Deer is 3-1/2 hours away from me. 

Thanks for the well-wishes for Monday. I'm so freaking out right now, I really just want to say screw it and not even go, but I have to. I'm not going to sit around for another 4 years waiting for a 2nd chance.

*hugs*