Dr Cobean's itinial wait

Hello! I've been awaiting my first appt with dr cobean since early august. I've had the bloodwork he wanted, and filled out the forms on line. I haven't gotten notice of an appt date yet. Is this his normal wait??? I'm getting so frustrated. I was very excited and ging-ho, but the longer I wait, the more self-doubt creeps in. I've even contacted the office to ensure they got everything back they needed from me, and they haven't responded to those questions either. Can anyone tell me how long they waited for their 1st appt? I know he said the wait can be long, but I'm loosing hope. Thanks! jeannie

Hi - Yes the long wait is normal. I had to wait months. But DON'T GIVE UP!!! Had my surgery January 23, 2006 and have lost 200 pounds so far!!! No pain afterwards - just 4 small holes in my stomach!! You do, however, get sick to your stomach afterwards for a month or so but it's not like regular getting sick. It's normal for this operation. It is really nothing at all and stops after a while. Dr. Cobean is the ABSOLUTE TOP surgeon for this type of operation. Wait for him - he is extremely busy. But he is worth the wait. I would, however, give the office a call again and they should respond to you. They always have called me back, anyway. Don't listen to anyone who tries to dissuade you from this operation. It is absolutely worth it. Dot

Hi Jeannie. I did not have Dr C. nor did I have a bypass. I had a lap band at Lahey cinic but I used to work at MMC and I know that his wait is very long. Thankfully now that he has an associate (Renee Wolfe) the wait is not nearly as long as it used to be!! Be patient. WLS is worth the wait. Michele

I am going to Dr cobean now for a ulcer, and hes such a good guy so far, Dr d did my surgery in 2005, i am 17 months out i lost 148.. i wish i would of lost more, but im not giving up yet.. I go back to dr cobean on Dec 14th, Hang in there dont give up!!!

Hi Jeannie, I know exactly how you feel, the waiting is the worst!!! I first contacted Dr Cobean's office in March 06. By the end of March I received a packet in the mail with all the information of the surgery choices and a list of tests to have completed. Immediately I was on the phone booking appointments and such and filling out my medical profile online for the Dr Cobean's office. Sometime in May 06, I received a letter in the mail stating that my initial appointment with Dr Cobean would be Sept 20, 2006!!!! I couldn't believe how far off that appointment was but with all the different tests that needed to be done, it ended up being good timing. When I arrived for my initial appt in Sept, I was the only patient that day that had completed all of my pre-visit testing. Eveyone else still had appts to make with other doctors. However when I left I figured that by the end of 2006 I would have had my LapBand surgery and been well on my way to recovery and losing weight. My next appt with Dr Cobean is finally coming up on December 5, 2006, almost 10 weeks after my initial appt. I should be signing my consent forms on Dec 5 and then WAITING AGAIN for my insurance approval and date for surgery. So I don't think that you are experiencing anything out of the ordinary but I would definitely follow up with the office. Dr Cobean is a very busy surgeon but a very good one also, which is what we want. I was told by the office staff that he is booking out for surgery anywhere from 2-3 months from time of consent forms being signed, so I am not expecting surgery before March 2007, and if it happens before then, it will be a definite bonus. Hope that this has helped and try to hang in there it will all be worth it once we are on our journey to weightloss. Take care and good luck! Jennifer

Hello, My name is jim and I had a long wait but not as long as some. There were people who had to jump through big hoops for insurance reasons before there first date. Don't worry if your insurance carrier is on board time will go to fast and you might not be mentaly ready. I know even after the wait I had not gotten my mind around everything yet and it came as a big shock to suddenly stop soda, candy and fast food, for the most part it was ok but when family events or birthdays or any special holidays not being able to eat the food I grew up with really sucked. You do get around it and this wait is a good time to try to create healthy food that taste like your old comfort foods. Example: Ice cream ...You can't have it but you want that flavor and texture take some skim milk and protein powder(flavor you like ) shake well and freeze. Take it out a few hour before you want to eat and it is just like eat ice cream. I also went throught Dr. Cobean he is great and you are in good hands. Jim Furrough

I liked that icecream thing, but don't leave it in overnight, because you'll have a frozen paperweight! Jan G