Waiting for surgery date

Hey all, after reading everyone's posts I've' decided I need to post too:)

So my first apt was in Aug at WW and was referred for surgery back in November. Met with Dr Karmali in December, signed off for surgery Dec 13 but had a scope booked for April 4. This was moved up to Jan 4 where they found a Hiatal Hernia but all is still a go as they'll fix the hernia while having the surgery.

Here's what I don't get- my nurse told me about 2 weeks ago that you don't go on the wait list until after having a scope so despite my referral for surgery I apparently wasn't on the list until mid January. Not only that but with karmali, wait times have now increased to 9 months. This puts me at about September (I hope) but my frustration is that had the scope not happened till April, I would not have been wait listed until it was done. That is a terribly long wait time. (April + 9 months) Wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same issues?

Also, as I read the forums, why are some people asked for a scope and 2 weeks liquid diet where as others don't have to?

My beginning weight was 274, I'm down to 230 (5'8) but being diabetic I am still eligible for surgery. No other health concerns but yet I feel like there are a lot of precautions being taken with my surgery that others are not having to deal with, any idea why?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

Hi there!

Everyone's pre-op health conditions are different, and diabetes can be a serious consideration for the surgeon. You've lost lots already so that's to your benefit.

I know it seems like eternity waiting for the surgery date - I remember it well. But honestly that time was important for me to mentally and physically prepare for the changes to come. Good luck!  Dr. Karmali was my surgeon too!

~mtrai

 

HI,

I had Dr. Karmali as well and yes I had to wait till after my scope was done to be put on the list. What the doctor , the nurses and Dr. Karmali's secretary told me were all different. It would be nice if they all were on the same page. It ended up being 6 months after the scope was done. It was a bit frustrating just for the fact I wanted to organize my life before my surgery. By the time they called me I had one month to do this. So I was called in September and had my surgery the end of October. By that time I  was resigned to fact that it would happen when it happened. I was however allowed to go to the preop clinic on the monday with the surgery on the Wednesday as I lived 4.5 hours away.

I had to be on the liquid diet for 3 weeks....well after one week I was sick of it and finding it hard to be on it for so long. My dietitian let me eat some vegies and cottage cheese which really helped. I think it depends on what doctor you have if you are on the liquid diet or not.

Good Luck

 

 

Although the program has changed when I initially did it it was a 9 month program and wait times on surgery were about 6-9 months from being approved. Dr Birch didn't require a scope or a liquid diet. I've been told Dr. karmail does this with all his patients.

With the recent cut in the o.r scheduling at the Royal Alex and summer approaching your wait time for surgery will be effected as they do not have as many o.r's opened in the summer.

I was pretty much the same weight as you starting the program and at surgery. I had no health concerns other than having pcos which can lead to issues like diabetes down the road.

Your time will come and for now just be grateful that you have made it thus far, as there are people who are never approved to have the surgery. The wait will seem long but take this time to prepare both mentally and physically.

Good Luck.

Kee.

 

I agree with Kee, use the waiting time to deal with your mental health issues, while the weight falls off quickly if you don't get your head right it returns quickly, so spend your time now thinking about how to deal with emotional eating, binging, sugar craving, whatever, it will keep you occupied the time will fly by and you will be prepared for the lifetime after.  You'll be on the surgery line before you know it!  Trying to deal with coordinating work and surgery times, can be so frustrating, but hang in.

Thanks for all the replies. Just to clarify I'm ok with the wait time. I've already worked on tons of emotional / mental issues. Quite ready and not worried about when surgery will come. Was just curious to know how per op stuff works for others. Thanks though

I'm from québec.....and over there the wait time is about 5 years....so I'm really happy with the waiting time over here :)

It's real sad to hear people from quebec has to wait  5 years to get help to be on the right road for recovery ,,i know back home    in cape breton im told there wait list is up to  10 to `7 years which blows me away to think of anyone  that long on a list ....  i hope  wait times really  become much faster  one year   to me is a perfect wait time  ,, gives you time to  learn  your new lifestyle ...There is people  out there who  are passing away with  illness from being obese   if they  could only help the ones  who  are high risk  get  surgery faster then  that could be even more years added to there life   so i wish everyone whos waiting for sugery a speedy  date take care and keep  the faith that your turn will be here fast too

I'm glad i'm not the only one frustrated about he wait times...I was referred by Karmali to the program a year ago, I was approved for surgery in February my scope is in June...I get that they want to make us best candidates and all but it is a little bit ridiculous.  I've been on waiting list after waiting list in the past 6 years to get incisional Hernia fixed...hence why Karmali referred me he wants me to lose quite a bit so that when he fixes the hernia the chance of success with it is way better.  I've not only that to deal with but also need gallbladder surgery...the later i can avoid bad attacks by avoiding trigger foods but i have been getting more frequent attacks lately even doing that.  As far as the hernia when I lay on my stomach it feels like i'm 9 months pregnant that's how bad it is...I life with daily pain because of it...
 

I wish there were more concrete answers as to how long it will take everytime I ask it seems longer and longer...It stresses me out horribly....I want my life back as I can not work till hernia surgery is done so longer this takes the longer till that happens...

Frustrating and stress is an understatement lol...... I have learnt the hard way that what ever the clinic tells you , double it.... then you wont get your hopes high and have them crash down like mine did several times.

Don 't consider anything a for sure date until its in writing, and even then there is no guarantee.  I was approved for surgery in Nov.... only to be put on hold in Jan because they messed with my meds and now wanted to wait to see if I level out again..... very frustrating especially since I did what they asked 

I did talk to Dr Karmali's clinic the other day.... she told me he is booking the patients that were approved in Oct for Apr/May surgeries..... So I should get booked in June/July... Aug at latest because it runs into the summer OR schedule and there is less OR time to go around

So technically you are looking at a surgery date of Aug/Sept but might be a little later due to the summer..... but you can always see Dr Karmali again and maybe he can do something for you.... thats along time to be in pain for

Also be prepared that your scope might get moved up..... I was scheduled for a scope Mid May and got a cancelation spot for Jan 3.... yay me