Double Dipping anyone?

I vaguely remember a topic where a comment was made that Dr. B's list may be over inflated, cause of all the people who were referred to Dr. S, and all of the Halifax patients that were moved to the Halifax surgeons.

Because of the BIG unknown with Dr. S......if I was waiting for Lap-Band surgery, I would stay on the waiting lists for both Dr. B and Dr. S. 

Are there any double dippers out there? If so...good for you!!!

Amary

I am, but only because I was refered to Dr. B's list 2 years ago. Once I have a date scheduled with Dr. S i will remove myself from that list.

I am, because I was on the Halifax list for eight years. My gp referred me to Dr. B 2.5 years ago. Now it seems, I may be going with the vsg in Halifax, so perhaps (not 100% sure) my spot with Dr. B will be up for grabs! 

Suzanne

funny expression "double dipping" because in a normal world....as with any surgery which impacts the rest of your life....the person getting surgery would push for  a second opinion.  So, I would think if these lists can just get reduced to normal...people would purposely check out both options to make sure their choice of surgery is the right one.

so ... I think everyone should go on both lists...and if possible get the second opinions.    The problem is the waiting lists are so long...it is difficult to do this.

Clawrence, you bring up a good point. It's funny reading the american posts, and even some Canadian self-pay postings. Everyone advises you to 'surgeon shop', and to find a surgeon who does all of the surgeries you are trying to choose between, so that they give you an unbiased opinion on what is right for you. 
 
Here in Canada, because of our socialized health care system (Let me hear an "Amen" for that) we are less able to choose between surgeries. We are lucky when our name is drawn from the waiting list, and we are so grateful that we take the best surgery that the available dr. does at the time. Unless you are self-pay (I waited eight years - obviously I'm not a self pay ). you cannot afford to shop for surgeons.

I think our government has finally gotten the point about WLS; that it is necessary, and valid for those who need it. Hopefully as more doctors perform it, the waiting lists will get smaller and smaller so there will be no such thing as 'waiters' on these boards!

I'll get off my soapbox now....sorry peeps!