Waitlist times for west coast bariatric center

I just wanted to update those waitkng for surgery. I was told that the waitlist times are now 2.5 years. I still have 1.5 years ledt to wait, i hope your date comes sooner!

When did you give in your referral?
Have you seen any of the pre op people (dietician, psychiatrist sect)?

I am curious as I put mine in sometime in November.

I put in my referral February 2012, well my doc did anyways

:)

Waittimes are just to get into the program. After you get in it all depends on how ready you are. I waited 1.5 years to get in and after my first meeting because I started the changes to my lifestyle ( writing food down, portion control, no soda or junk and exercise) I will have my surgery within a couple months. Others are not so ready and need extra help and can take a little longer. I heard 6 months after starting the program is the norm, but everyone is different. One lady who I went to orientation with is having surgery in a couple weeks. Be prepared before you get the call to come in (go to their website and download the forms and read weight loss for dummies) and trust the team as they have your best interests and will let you have the surgery when you are ready and in the best possible position for success!

I just phoned today and they said waitlist is 3 years no matter what.  She said there was nothing I could do to get ready to make it happen faster, it goes by date and not by need.  Maybe I will call back and be a bit more specific.  She also said there are 1,000 people on the list and they are only allowed to do 100 per year.... :(  I just found out that because I had a Nissen surgery years ago for reflux that I might not be able to have the surgery.  if anyone has experiece with this please send me a message.  thank you

I think we all would be ok to wait the 1.5-3 years if we knew something was happening.  This waiting in the dark is ludacris.  I mean why not have them work with the physician to get diet and eating in control.  Psychiatrists etc.  Look at the pt more holistically rather than as a number in a list. It would be nice to know if they even received our referral.  They would also get less calls if they answered the basic questions and updated them on their web page. Just my $0.02

Your post was very helpful. Thanks for taking the time.

My referral was sent June 2012. I am going for my first appt/orientation in January (2014) 

When my referral was sent in, I contacted the surgeons office to ensure they got it. They told me at that time the wait was approx 18 months. They were bang on!
After my referral was sent in, I started a program, and lost 40 pounds.

I am super nervous, but also excited! The thought of actually having my surgery done is 6 months is surreal after waiting the 18 months for the appt and the many years before making the decision to ask for a referral! LOL

Hi, you mentioned in your post you went on a program and lost 40 pounds.  Which program did you go on?  I have my consultation appointment in a few weeks and trying to get as much knowledge as I can prior to this appointment.

Thanks,

The program I went on to lose 40 pounds was in no way related to the Richmond Bariatric Program. I won't recommend it because it wasn't the best.

After I went to my orientation and had my appointment with the dietician at Garratt Wellness Center, I started following their program. It basically consisted of following the Canada food guide, and logging all my foods. (I use my fitness pal religiously)

My advice to you, to get ready for your consultation (I'm assuming at Garratt, with the Richmond program?) if, if you aren't already doing so, start tracking your food. Create a My Fitness Pal account, and use it everyday!
Familiarize yourself with the Canada Food Guide. Learn it, and start following it.
Weigh and measure your food.
Get the book "Weightloss surgery for dummies" read it, then read it again :)
Get moving! Start an exercise program of some sort. I started with walking

These are key steps that the will teach you once you are in the Richmond program.

I ended up having my sleeve surgery in June 2014. I lost 100% of my excess weight within 9 months, and made my goal in March of 2015. In June of 2015 (this year) I had plastic surgery. I had a circumferential trunk lift with tummy tuck.
I am now officially in maintenance, and I am thrilled with my results!

Good luck to you! I hope your consult goes well!