How long are :The Lists"

Hi there

I'm pretty sure I would like to have the lap band but still would like to hear about the other surgery options as well...is it too late.  I have been on Dr B's list asince July this year and only sent my referral from Dr Dornan last week to Dr Savoie, as I had just found out about him.  What should I do next?  Should I be calling to be sure they have my referrals or will that just tick the receptionists off?  I would appreciate any advise on the timelines or processes at this point

thanks so much

Angela
Saint John

I would call if I were you to just ensure the document was received.  I would not worry about "ticking" them off as it is your health and you need to make sure you are following the right steps.
Good Luck,
C

Hi Angela,
Welcome to the New Brunswick OH board. This is a great place for information and support. One thing we have learned here and have said repeatedly is that the squeeky wheel gets the grease. I would call Dr S's receptionist because we have seen that the family physician can take a long time to send the referal.  By calling Dr S's receptionist, you can be assured that the referral has been sent & received.

The 2 doctors do different procedures. They both do the lap band. Dr B does gastric bypass and Dr S does the duodenal switch. I think they both offer another option too.Which surgery is best for you is a matter of choice- both for you and the surgeon. By choosing a surgeon you are choosing to be limited to the surgeries he does. The surgeon also has a choice of which surgery he will offer to you. For example, if you were to go to Dr B and want a bypass and he does not think that is the right choice for you, then he will not do a bypass. He will offer a lapband and your only choice is to have the band or change doctors. There are only the 2 surgeons in NB. No matter what you want to do, do a ton of research on all the options available here in NB.

Now on to the waiting lists!!  The wait for Dr B is years long. His office is still telling people that the wait is 5 or more years long. Personally, with the addition of another doctor here in NB and 2 surgeons in Nova Scotia, I don't think the actual wait is that long. BUT that is only my opinion. There are a number of people on both doctor's list. Dr S says he does not have a waiting list. I think this is because he seems to do X  number of consults and doesn't do any more until he has done the surgeries. He has said that he is not doing any further consults until he starts doing surgeries. He is in the process of setting up his clinic. We expect that he will start doing surgery soon.

I would not inform Dr B's office that your doctor has also referred you to Dr S as they will take you off Dr B,s list.

I am sure others will also post answers to your post and give you more information. opinions, and advise. If I have given you any mis-information re Dr S my friends here who are his patients will let you know.

Once again, welcome and I hope you become a regular here.
Charline

Hello Angela:

I just called my family doctors office to see if they had sent my referral to Dr Savoie's office and they tried to fax it last week and were informated by them that their office is closed now until Jan 2nd so now I will have to wait for the referral to be faxed to them at that time.  That is ok i am patient and still hope to be seen by Dr Savoie sometime in the new year.

Keeping fingers crossed on this.

Beth

Thank you so much for the information and words of encouragement, its nice to have this NB forum so we can keep in the loop of what's happening with the local surgeons etc...  Hope to talk to you all again.
Thanks Angela