Time Frame?

Ok, I know I am not the most patient person but I can be with a little info. Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get the first appointment with Dr. Bell? I have done the nutriotal and psych and the reports were sent in the end of June. My paperwork was faxed over before that with three referal letters from PCP, Chiropractor, and Orthopedic. If anyone has an approxiamate it would make things here a little less stressed for me. I am hoping to have the surgery the beginning of December because I will be on brake from school until the end of January. Thanks, Heidi

Hi Heidi, This is what my timeframe was. I had nutritional and psych eval in Feb., sent paperwork into Dr. Bell's office in March, got a call in April, had my appt. in June, and I am having my surgery next Wednesday 7/21/04. I know how horrible to wait is! Believe me!!! But I'm told it's well worth it! Good luck! JA

Hi Heidi, Once the reports have been submitted from the nutritionist and the psych evaluation, Lynda (the nurse) will review them. If everything is in order, she will call you with an appointment for a group consult. Then within about 2 months from that date, you will have surgery. If you are certain that the nutritional and psych eval have been submitted to Dr. Bell's office, then I would call to confirm that they have received them. It is worth the wait - and Dr. Bell is a fabulous surgeon. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -92 lbs.

Thank you. I called last Tuesday and made sure everything was there and was told it was being put on Linda's desk. I have heard from several people that Dr. Bell was the doctor to see and willing to wait for him (was offered to have the surgery by another doctor the first of August but had him checked into and was told to avoid him) even if the wait feels like a life time. I will just try and be patient and wait for the phone call for the group consult appointment. In the meantime I will just be hanging around the boards and going to the monthly meetings. Anyone that just needs anyone to talk to just say so I am around and home most times until school starts back up. Thanks again, Heidi

Heidi, I just recently finished all my pre work with the Nutritionist and the Psyche evaluation ...i am still waiting for my paperwork to get there....a woman i work with also has dr. bell and she just went to his July 8th meeting... she said she should know in about 10 days what her surgery date is and they gave a date of between August 16th through October 4th (being that the surgeons have a lot of vacations and conferences in september)...i honestly dont know if he will have his group session in September or not, that you would have to ask the nurses there, but he also upped his groups from about 15 to about 18...its all worth the wait though....i am hoping for November, december also.......the people on the board that have had him assure me he is THE BEST and i have been to two of his support groups and they are awesome..... Hope this helps deanna steward

Ok it must be lucky to post here or something. After posting here this morning I received a call this afternoon from Liz and I have an appointment for the consult with Dr. Bell on August 19. One step closer. Thanks again, Heidi

Congratulations Heidi!!! I am so glad you got your date for your group meeting. You can now anticipate that your surgery will be sometime in October or November. I know that seems like a long time away but we all survived the wait even though it sure didn't seem like that would happen at the time Hope to see you on Aug. 3rd at the next support group meeting! Linda

Heidi, I too called Dr. Bell's office today and found out my file was on the nurse's desk also. I have not heard anything yet, but am anxiously waiting to hear. I hope to get into an August or Sept. meeting. But you never know. Like you, I would hope to have surgery in late Dec. because of school and the long break.