Surgeons with shorter wait times?

Hi everyone!
I have a quick question..my family dr is doing everything she can to get me into surgery sooner because of some other health issues.
She has contacted dr karmalli several timea but i have yet to hear from his office and i read somewhere here that he was booking well into the summer if not later.

Do any of you know if any of the surgeons in edmonton are booking sooner than that?

Any help or information is appreciated!!!

Kendra

(Sorry for any typos, im on my phone writing this)

The only surgeons in Edmonton are the ones that Weight Wise have on staff and unfortunately they have long wait list. The program has changed a lot since I did the program but it took me 9 months to go through the program and then 5 months wait once approved for surgery. 

Have you been approved for surgery yet? I ask this because lot of people go through the program at the clinic and don't qualify for surgery. Keep doing what your doing and your plateau will end and you'll be on the losing end of things again. Little changes help like up your protein and lower your carbs, eat lots of veggies to keep you full. Stay away from pop and juices as they only leave you hungry.

Good Luck.

Kee.

Thanks for your info!

The situation with me is a little different - My dr. has spoken with the surgeon personally and he was all for fast tracking me for surgery. When my Drs nurse spoke with the surgeons office, the conversation was much different. So this is frustrating me to no end! 

 

I have not yet been approved for surgery - do you know what types of things they look at before you are approved?

I have only seen the RN and the dietician. I am about 5 classes into the weight wise course, I'll have them all completed by the end of the month. I'm meeting with Dr. Modi for the first time on Tuesday, as well as Jason, the psychologist (I'm nervous for this, as I've never seen a psychologist).

 

Thanks!

Kendra

Don't take this as harsh sounding as it may seem when you read it but we all have different situations and those of us who have had surgery are right where you are now and yes it's very frustration but once in the clinic our family doc's don't have much pull or say. They think they do but don't. They have no influence on whether you get approved by the weight wise team.

Your team of Dr's, Nurse, Dietician and Psychologist all have meeting on you and your case file and it is these people combined that make the decision on whether or not surgery is for you. They evaluate what you have done to make life changes, mental changes, physical changes and if these changes are life sustainable for you. If one of these team member thinks that surgery isn't right for you at this time it can affect your approval.

Many people have issues with emotional or eating disorders and surgery does not cure these and therefor you can be rejected for surgery. Also some people who have been sexually or physically abused in the past and have not deal with these issues can also be rejected. I have met many people through out the last 3 years at the clinic, some have gotten surgery and some having and I know that these are some of the reason that were talked about.

When seeing the psychologist just be super honest with yourself and the questions you answer, they are totally there for you to confide in and there isn't anything you can say they haven't heard before. It's kinda like they are picking your brain to see if you are prepare for surgery and the life altering changes the surgery can bring. A lot of people who have surgery have cross addictions with drugs, alcohol and even end up with relationship issues and they can help with all that. I had a lady and she was amazing, I could talk very openly with her and I hope you can do the same with Jason.

Good Luck and Keep doing the modules, you'll learn some great tools.

 

Kee.

Kee is absolutely right. No matter how well intentioned or wonderful your doctor (like mine, who is really great) he/she has no control over what happens once you're in the clinic. Even the surgeons don't have any real control over the timing of surgery - should you be approved. (Hopefully you will be)

The only way to get it done quickly (that I know of) is to go self- pay. There are 2 surgeons in Quebec that do WLS privately, otherwise you need to travel out of country like I did. (I booked on June 2 and had my surgery on June 26th)

Unfortunately there is a long wait for all the programs in Alberta....... and the other girls are right on with what they told you

I was also told that my surgery would be fast tracked ...... but by Dr Modi....... ya not the case as she has no control over who goes first.... no one really does ...... not to disappoint you but I got my hopes up several times and then was let down which hasn't done me any good for trying to eat better...... I was told by Dr Modi that I would have surgery Dec/12.... then Feb/13.... then Apr/13.....then Aug/13..... so my advice is to just go with the flow, don't take any date your are give as a real date until you see it written on a piece of paper lol, follow the program and everything else will fall into place

Just so you have an idea, here is what my timeline has looked like, and it seems to be the average for everyone

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 Stoonhawker (psychiatrist) July 26/12
First Dr Karmali ( surgeon) appt Nov 29/12
Endoscope appt was booked for May 23/12 which would of put me at a possible surgery of Aug/13 at earliest

but I got very lucky and got a cancelation spot for my scope on Jan 3/13..... so technically this should move my surgery date up to May/13 ..... I have an appt with nurse next week so I will find out more then.

Just be aware that even if you are approved for surgery you can be removed from the list at anytime for multiple reasons (illness, mental status, weight gain, not following program, ect)

A great group to go to also is the Bariatric support group..... its people who have had or are waiting for surgery that have a monthly meeting so you an ask any question you want ..... go to 

http://www.edmontonbsg.ca for meeting dates and their forum on here at 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/EBSG/ 

Thanks for all that info..as much as its not what I wanted to hear, it helped. I completely understand that most of us who are considering surgery have health issues..I didnt mean to make it sound otherwise. Just relaying what I have been told by both my family doctor and a specialist. Wow, thats really got to be tough..being told dates that are close to a year apart. I really hope that you get your surgery soon! I havent necessarily gained weight, I have lost since I was last in the clinic but not as much as I would have liked. Ive stayed on the program, just hit a bit of a plateau (I've lost 40lbs give or take since first being referred). Do you think that will be an issue with the drs/surgeons? I'm so afraid that I will make some dumb mistake and ruin my chances. I think one of the biggest reasons that I am so frustrated is that our plan to have kids has completely been derailed because of everything. I know, stupid considering I have other life threatening issues, but thats the one that I have to live with and think about daily! Good luck and im crossing my fingers that you have your surgery soon! Kendra

40lbs is a awesome amount....... the clinic seems to be not so much on amount of weight lost but on continued improvement, I have only lost 17 lbs since being at the clinic..... but I haven't gained, but I have stayed the same many times lol

I totally understand the having babies thing....... I'm in the same boat..... my son is 4yr old....... I would of liked to have another baby by now but can't as my pregnancy with him was very high risk and he was born early......all my pregnancy problems should be corrected with weight loss.

Hope all goes smoothly for you

 

My reason for surgery is infertility, our infertility doctor is the one *****ferred me.

My timeline:

Call for first appt - October 2011
First appt Dec 5, 2011
Second appt Feb 2012  (long wait in between because i after the first appt the nurse told me i might not lose as much weight as i needed to get pregnant....was discourage...needed time to think about everything before coming back  and deciding to continue with the WW clinic)
body scan in march 2012
cont'd appts
approved end of May 2012
3hr class/seminar for post op info in July 2012
call for surgery date nov 2012 
original surgery date dec 5 2012 - cancelled due to doctors schedule  
Surgery Date - Jan 9, 2012

so basically a year from my first appt, and basically 6months from approval