Anyone know what days Dr B does consults??

Hi everyone I am just wondering if anyone knows what days Dr B usually does his consults. I know that he is not doing any yet but they are hoping to resume in the fall...so I am just curious!! Thanks Krista Cook

Im not sure but am waiting too.What number are you on the list?

Hi, I am number 12 on the pre-approved list. What number are you? I am sure hoping they will start up soon.....this additional 5-6 month delay is awful, especially when we have been waiting so long already!

I know the feeling.I was told I was number 8 on the consult list 3 months ago.But I don't think the numbers mean much. In November I was told I was number 12 on the list when I called in January I was told i was number 24.I asked how that could be because in November that she told me I was number 12.She said that wasn't possible.What could I say what would be the point I'm sorry but knowing how important this surgery is that is not something that you forget you hold onto every little hope.Anyway..I was told I was number 8 a few months back.I guess the only thing one can hope for is a call.There is nothing much more one can do.Sometimes I wonder if service doesn't go to the highest bidder.Anyway I hope its soon.Tired of waiting 4 years is a long time.

Hi again! I feel your frustration, I have been waiting for over 5 years now....this is my 3rd Dr. So far I have been going down in order on the list. I was told in March I was 12 and again in july that I was still 12 as he has not done any consults....so I am not sure what is happening with you?? I do call every couple months because I have been "LOST" 2 times already with another DR, which resulted in me not getting in for surgery before Dr #1 retired!! It is good to stay on top of things as errors seem to occur more often then we think. I agree with you that service may go to the highest bidder, especially when you hear people are being done that have very little wait time...it certainly makes you question what is going on. How is it that we have been waiting 4 plus years and some are being done this summer that have only been waiting as little as 2 years????? It sure smells funny to me!! Keep in touch! Best of luck...hope you are number 8!! Are you also pre-approved? and what type are you having?

To answer that question.I am pre-approved and have been for some time.I just cant wait to get this done.I am going to go with the gastric bypass because I have lots to lose.How about you which one are you doing?

I have been pre-approved since 2004, all the good it is doing me...LOL I am also having the by-pass as I have a lot to lose also. My sister-in-law had the lap-band done in Montreal (she paid 15,000 plus travel) and has had very good results, however her Doctor told her that is not typical. Most do not lose all the extra weight. She also developed some complications after...with alcerated esophogus (sp?) Plus the long term lasting effects are not as good. (as stated by her Doctor, she is in her 50s so they recommended lap-band) So I have decided to go with the by-pass. I know 10 people who have had it done and 8 out of 10 have continued to do well long term. (the 2 who did not had the old method of stapling done, others had by-pass) I know it is not a quick fix as I have seen my friends over the years go through the process....however it is a tool I absolutely need! I guess we just have to hang in there and try to remain patient...LOL!! Best of luck! Krista Cook

Hi, I have my surgery date coming up this month and I have waited over 3 years. But the key as you have already mentioned in this thread is to keep in touch with all the Drs. Things do tend to get lost in the shuffle (because there are so many people to keep track of I imagine). I was lost a few times. First time for the first consult...but I waited too long to call about that one, I waited 16 months to call that time. Next when I got approved for medicare. I was approved but the letters were lost somewhere. I waited over a month to call on that one. But once I called and had everything straigtened out, things were back on track...but there are soooo many people waiting that papers and busy drs are bound to lose names...so keep on top of things, don't let too much time go before you make calls. Just like we have always heard in the past for every medical situation....it it up to you to make sure of things, busy Drs office's are over extended and don't have time. Sad fact of out medical situation in the maritimes right now. Someday maybe there won't be shortages of Drs. Not sure that anyone that I know that had surgery this summer waited any less then 3-4 or more years though. The handful of girls that I know that had surgery this summer non of them are under 3 years wait. And also...as it says in the book I got from the Drs office just the other day at my pre-op appointment. Once you see the Dr you are catergorized. There are 3 levels. So the Dr makes a decision on how your health is and how fast you need the surgery. Even though we all may think we don't have much time left, or have alot of problems associated with the weight, likely there are others who are much worse off then us who have to go first. Sometimes it is hard and depressing sitting and waiting, and wondering why it is taking so long, but we don't know everyone else's situations as compared to our own, only the Drs know that. Also the wait time for the Lap-band is much less, and likely there are some girls who have a less then 3 year wait for that. The Dr can do as many of those as he can fit in where the gastic bypass he can only do one a week. Honestly when the time comes for surgery....time does fly and you wonder where all those years of waiting went. Easier said I know, but when the time comes believe me you wonder where the time goes. Keep your spirits up girls! I am sure things will speed up in the fall when everything is back on track again. Hard for one poor Dr to keep up with 100s of people...just think how overwhelmed he is wanting to help everyone he can, and doesn't possibly have enough time.

Firstly I am still wondering if anyone knows what day consult days are?? LOL We have gotten a bit off track! It is funny how many different versions we are being told! You were told that there are 3 levels that the Dr puts patients in. Now Me myself I have VERY serious medical problems associated to my weight...to the point of frequent hospitalizations for often weeks at a time. I have been in hospital 5 times in last year and needed 2 operations; And this was a good year if you can believe that! I am currently taking over a dozen medications, and my Dr contacted Dr B's office because my life IS depending on this surgery and was told that THEY DO NOT bump anyone up, that everyone is taken in order for consult and surgery. So why are we given different answers?? I wish I had the money to self-pay...but like many others I do not. I am unable to work due to my health and I am on disability....so no spare cash or loans for me. It is unfortunate that they will not allow other Drs to do these life saving procedures because as you have stated it is ALOT to put on one man. That poor man must be run off his feet, and probably doesn't get much sleep! Good luck on your surgery and in your weight loss journey! What type of surgery are you having? Krista Cook PS in no way am I insinuating that others are not as bad off as me... we all have our struggles otherwise we would not be forced to take such drastic measures!

Hi, Thanks! I am having gastic bypass. To answer your real question...lol since we got off track. Not sure when he does consults. I know that mine (First consult) was on April 27th 2006 which was a thrusday. And I know when I went to sign my papers I think it was a wed in January, and there were girls in the waiting room waiting to see Dr B for a first consult. And I think there were people there for their first consult when I went to the all day session in November....I can't remember the date for that. I think he changes his schedule depending on when he has his week in emergency (as he doesn't do any surgeries this week) and around when he can have OR time. But I have no idea really if he has a specific day of the month he does consults or not. Or if he has a certain amount of people to see in a month. I do know he does one gastric bypass surgery a week. And as many lap bands as he can fit in. All because of OR times, and how much the hospital allows. And the week he has his round in ICU or emergency he isn't allowed to do any surgeries. As for the categories. No one told me that, but I didn't ask, it is just in this book they give you at your first consult. actually it is the same as what you will find online at ....http://www.weightlosssurgery.ca/en/home. They get the info for our book from here. The categories are on page 6 and 7 of the book they give. Although I have heard from different people that they go by the list and what number you are on the list with no exceptions. Really I have no idea. But since it is printed in the book I would go with that since you wouldn't think they woukld print something they didn't follow...NO IDEA THOUGH. I hope you get to have your surgery soon. It really is terrible the long wait. But I think it is just the state of the medical industry in the maritimes and likely all of canada. Instead of going to school to be an engineer I think I should have been a Dr. HE HE HE Good luck in your journey and hopefully the consults will resume ASAP!!!