Bummed out

I just found out that for people who were approved before the Medicare changes with Dr Beausoleil should be waiting less than a year now. 

For people like me, who were referred recently, it could take up to 5 years.  I thought 5 years was still the old estimate.  Apparently not...oh well.

I feel like drowning myself in a bucket of ice cream...but I won't.

Hey Charline,

I feel your frustrations.  Spoke to the office this morning as well and no concrete answers.  With that in mind I called my doctor and they are sending a referral to Dr Savoie as well so we will see how that goes.

If you are a Heavenly Hash kind of gal then really do stay away from "drowning in ice cream" as the chocolate chunks may iritate your eyes!  LOLOLOL

Chat soon.

I was on Dr. B's list for almost two years- then I called about a month ago and I was told I may need to wait another 3-4 years.

I got my Dr. to send in a referral to Dr. Savoie and I am getting banded before X-mas- first week of January!

So- don't drown yourself in ice cream, and get yourself a referral to Dr. S!

Thanks for the comments.  My kids are almost 4 and 2.  I was kinda keeping my fingers crossed that I'd be able to ride a bike with both of them sooner rather than later.  I mean, I knew there was a wait.  No doubt about that.  Unfortunately, I don't believe the band is my option.  I recently admitted to myself that I am a sugar addict and I'd probably gulp down something sugary if I had a craving strong enough.  I guess admitting you have a problem is the first step to dealing with it.  It's a shame that there aren't any more doctors who do this.  Hopefully with Dr. Savoie taking some of the patients who were waiting to see Dr. Beausoleil, the waiting list will eventually go faster. 

Dr. S dosn't only do the band- he does the DS also.

You're right, will all the people transfering over to bathurst maybe dr. B's wait list will go down, I mean my name will be off it. From what I heard though, there were thousands waiting!

Hi Charline, sorry you are frustrated.  Don't eat the ice cream !  As a matter of fact, my suggestion, which is what I did, was to start dieting now and get ready.  They look at your commitment to the process by what you have done so far.  So if you are proactive and start losing now, that will look to them when you get your consult.   I started dieting on WW in February and I just reached the 50 lb mark.  I'm thrilled.  My surgery is this Friday.  I know that my weight loss impacted my surgery date, in a good way.  I was already on the right road when they saw me and saw my commitment to losing.  It's very very hard, but I was able to stay focused by the threat of being delayed or postponed by them if I didn't do well, or if i gained.  Also keep in mind that the band is only a tool to help you stay on your diet.  I am continuing with weigh****chers even after the surgery, because I have to diet so I might as well stick with them.  It works.  You also have to exercise.  The tool will not fix you or get your weight off any faster if you don't diet and exercise.  So I strongly suggest you start now.  You don't have to, but I truly believe it worked for me.  I was referred a year ago, had my consult in August, Information session in September and Surgery in October.  Not bad !  All wrapped up in one year.  you can do it.  You sound like you really want to succeed, all you need to do is start. 

Thanks again!

It's awesome to see that some of you are so close.  One year is really fast.  I'm very very happy for you.  I will be thinking of you this week.  I've been on the yo-yo train for a while now, and am an active member of WW, meetings and online.  After browsing the forum, I realise that my major issues are sugar and exercise.  At the moment, I have health issues that prevent my exercising.  Hopefully if I can get some extra weight off I will be able to resume so I can enjoy my children and give them a good example/start.  I am going to check with Dr. Savoie as well.  The wait time may be shorter with him.

Thanks again, didn't drown in ice cream, had a small bowl of it and I feel much better!

Seriously, Why not go to Dr Savoie.? He does more than the band. The  draw backs I see to switching is that Dr S  doesn't have a support team in place yet, but he will. The other is distance. I don't know where you live but after the first 2 years, you only have to see the doctor once a year. For all I know, you live closer to Bathurst. If you are close to Moncton, it would be anoying to have to go to Bathurst, but think of all the fun you will have with your children years earlier.  If I had not been so close to having my surgery, I would have switched for sure.

I live closer to Moncton than Bathurst- I even work in Moncton but the truth is when it comes to my well being, five years just wasn't good enough for me.

The only thing i kow is that Dr. S will do lap bands first since his team is not officially ready for the DS. From what I could gather from another of his patients amary, there may be a six month wait for the DS but it sure beats the five year wait anticipanted by Dr. B!

Thanks so much for the info, I really appreciate it.  I am going to call my Doctor's office tomorrow and see if I can be on both lists.  My mom is also waiting for her letter.  I guess that my Doc's office is so busy at the moment that it could take months before the referral is even sent.

"sigh"....there will be a light at the end of this tunnel eventually....I know there will be!

The one who makes the most noise gets noticed right?  Or at least they deal with you quickly so they can have peace and quiet again !