Is there priority on surgeons lists?

I am new to this but just wonder if anyone has heard of priority of patients, based on health issues etc or is it done first come first serve basis?

Thanks
Angela

Hi Angela!

I'm from the Saint John area as well -- nice to "see" you.

To my experience, there is definitely a priority to the list. Those with immediate life-threatening conditions would certainly come higher than someone like me who was "just" obese with no other mitigating factors. i waited 3 years for my surgery and I know of a young man in the group that I was with for the intro session that had waited less than 6 months.

Awesome picture Krista!

Dr S receptionist told me that is was on a first come first do. She said it is not like other surgeries. Not sure this is true but that is what she told me.

It looks to me like first come first serve. I mean it would depend. Most of the people having surgery are diabetic, have arthristis, sleep apnea or gerd. 

I'm sure they make exception, but I'm not sure for what condition. I know they don't do it for diabetes as an example, or sleep apnea or Gerd because some people have been waiting 5 years with these conditions and they were not given any kind of priority.

There are definitely  priority  patients. It would be unethical for a doctor to know that obesity is exacerbating a condition or disease, like a heart condition, and do nothing about it. For the majority of us, we go on the list and wait. others are moved up the list based on health issues. There are very few of us without any health issues along with the obesity. We just don't always know it.

Ok, after thinking about this again. There is a priority list. My friend hip is gone (she is only 25) and she needs a replacement.   They were unable to replace the hip because of her weight so they sent her to Dr. Beau and she waited a year before her surgery. So there are exceptions.

Thank you all for your comments, I really appreiciate any information I can get.  I certainly am not trying to bump up on the list, just wondering if they look at existing conditions.  Of course I have all the same as most issue obese people have such as osteoarthritis in my feet, knees, hips and back, spurs on my feet, I deal with asthma and bronchitis, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety and high blood pressure.  The item I am most concerned with is that I was hospitalized 2 yrs ago with pulmonary hypertension and was very close to going into congestive heart failure.  Since then I am still on many fluid pills a day and of couse slow k to increase my potassium. I had gained so much fluid that they pumped approx 80lbs of fluid off me in 4 days. It's my biggest fear that it may start again and I hate being on so much medication every day.  My motto is I'm living by pills and a prayer....anyhow that's my scoop
Angela

Hi Angela,
I see your line "I certainly am not trying to bump up on the list" and I would tell you with the issues you meantion above...you should do all you can to get bumped up the list....check out both Drs. Maybe one can do it a year or two earlier then the other.  I hear there is a 5 year wait  in Moncton...If I were you i would do all I could to get bumped up there!   Or....go check out the other Dr.   Either way, you have some serious medical problems...fight for your life here...and bump all you can, where you can :)

Good Luck to you,
Catherine

Hi Angela. Good to see you here and hopefully you will have surgery soon. I noticed that your profile said Vertical Gastric Bypass. Dr. Beausoliel only does RNY or lapband. I think Dr. Savoy does other surgeries but if you are looing for VGB, Dr. Beausoliel doesn't do it.