Wait times for surgery and scopes in Edmonton

Just to let everyone know that's wondering......cause I know I was
I saw Dr Karmali today and this is what I was told for wait times

They booked my scope for May 23 ......about 2 months later than what they told me it would probably be a month ago ......the receptionist did stress that it may get bumped up
Surgery he is booking 6-9mos from today ..... So that puts it in August

My husband did over hear the staff talking about the wait times getting significantly shorter soon...... That they are going to start pushing surgeries through faster......(we all hope right)

So to give you an idea of the time line I have had......
Referred to Clinic in end of Jan /12
First appt at clinic Apr 26/12
Every 4-6 wk appt with nurse, dietician, OT, psychologist
Respiratory tests and sleep Apnea tests early June/12
First Dr Modi (internal medicine) appt June 28/12..... Saw her 4 times before surgery referral given
First and only appt with Dr Stoonhacker July 26/12
First Dr Karmali ( surgeon) appt Nov 29/12
Scope appt May 23/12
Possible surgery Aug/12

Hope that helps

I know it seems like a long time but remember 4 or 5 years ago people were waiting up to 3 years to get through the program.

As well it depends on your own experience with the program, I was referred in Oct of 2011 and had my surgery in Nov 2012 so 13 months total. 

Your time will be here before you know it and soon you will be on the losers bench.  Use the extra time to develop some core fitness, my nurses said it was the work i did before surgery that made my recovery go so smoothly.  I was up and walking same day as my surgery and was discharged from the hospital a day early. 

Good luck to you and keep at it, your day will come.

I hear ya, it seems like the wait is forever.  I feel as if I have been on a hamster wheel for a long long time.  I personally spent 8 months on a wait list to be seen at my PCN, then I was there on their weight management program ( same as weight wise) from April 2011-May 2012 when my referral came through to weight wise at the Royal Alex.  I have seen numerous people during that time as we all have.

 

I saw my case manager here on Monday and she told me the wait times had changed to 6-9 mos for surgery.   When I saw them in September the wait was 4-6 mos.  A friend of mine actually got her referral in May and her surgery in Sept. I don't even have my referral yet but I am hoping to have it on Tuesday when I next see Dr. Modi.

 

I lose my patience often and wonder if I will ever get there with the multitude of appointments and modules, but I know if I sit tight and keep moving forward, I will arrive there. I don't know why some get there more quickly than others but for those of us who seem or feel like we are waitig longer, maybe we just have more time to apply our skills for greater success post op.

Well I saw my team on Dec 4 at the weight wise clinic.  After seeing my dietician and psychologist, my Dr gave me my referral for surgery. I will be seeing Dr. Karmali on Jan 10 for my consult. 

We are currently looking at the Gastric sleeve as my surgery choice and will find out from there where we go and how long it will take.

I am relieved to be in so very quickly knowing the general wait times as well as knowing how long I have been on this particular journey.

So got a call today that they had a cancelation for my scope....... so instead of it being May 23.... Its going to be Jan 3...eeekk!!

So excited an nervous lol

The lady that called said it was a cancelation spot, so not sure if they have made more room for alot of scopes or I just got really lucky.

Now I need to do some serious thinking on if I want a Sleeve or RNY since I might not have much time to decide.... leaning to the RNY.

Happy New Year Everyone

awesome!
can i ask what the scope is for? i never had one...

My first appt was Dec 5, 2011
My original surgery date was Dec 5, 2012
got bumped due to Dr Birch's schedule and now i'm January 9th, 2013 - so 13 months....although i havent been back to the clinic since July...my follow up appts have been via phone because i'm in Grande Prairie.
i was referred the end of May.
 

Dr Karmali (and most of the others) do scopes on anyone with previous stomach problems or chronic acid reflux for several years........ I have had acid reflux for 12 plus years even when I was 100lbs lighter..... so its just to be on the safe side and no surprises during surgery

My scope was done with no previous history of acid reflux or stomach issues. Karmali Said it was to make sure all was good for surgery.
My scope was booked for April and with a cancellation I was in jan 4. Good thing as I have a hiatal hernia that will be operated on during surgery. Karmali said that's why I get acid reflux and I again had to insist I've never had it! Weird!
Btw I was referred in may 2012. First ww apt Aug 1. Referred for surgery in nov. met and signed off in dec 2012. Found out last week from my nurse that I didn't go on the wait list till mid jan when they had my results from the scope. 6-9 month wait puts me in by sept. so close to 13 months since first ww apt.

Just to update you all

I talked to Dr Karmali's office today..... so they are currently booking people for surgery in Apr that were approved in Oct

I was approved at the end of Nov..... So I will have surgery probably June/July...... of course that depends on how much OR time is closed due to summer holidays...... but she said definately by Aug...... yay so excited its becoming reality finally :)