just a little info

I called the bathurst hospital today. I was just doing a follow up to my referral, and everything is good there.

The little info is that they are working on first consults from Febuary 2009, my referral was sent in March 2009. Yipee, she said she couldn't give me a time but they are working through Febuary kind of quick..so maybe early fall..

Anyway just a little info for Dr. Savoies waiters..



Have a great day!!

My family Dr. referred me in late 2008 and I just had my first consult last month with Dr. Savoie.  I forgot about being referred until I received a letter for my apppointment.  I have to return back in two weeks to sign the consent form and book the surgery.  It appears like they book the consults and appointments only on Fridays so that may explain why it takes so long to get in to see him.  I will tell you that I found his staff and Dr. Savoie to be very wonderful.  It will be well worth the wait.  They take you in for a pre-screening session where the dietician and nurse review your history, take your height and weight and discuss your diet etc... You then meet the surgeon and he is very kind and thoughtful.  It was the first time I met with a specialist who did not rush you and he took his time to explain everything in detail.  He did not pressure me and encouraged me to reflect and think about the surgery so when I came back I would make an educated and rational decision.  He is not an arrogant surgery pusher. he explained all the realities and pros and cons up front.  I really respected his approach with me. Good luck.

runfatgirlrun,

Thank you for your reply. I'm not sure why she would have told me that they are working on February 2009. If they are still working on the last of 2008.

I apologize to everyone for the info being wrong, I was just posting what I was told on the phone today.

I am looking forward to my first consult whenever it happens. It is nice to  hear that Sr.Savoie and his staff are nice to deal with. I have heard a lot of nice things about him. It makes me ilook forward to meeting  him myself.

Thanks again for the reply and Good Luck to you in the rest of your journey.

Sorry if you misintereted what I meant.  My Dr. referred me late 2008 and I received my inital consult letter a month ago. That does not mean that what they told you about early 2009 referrals is wrong.  They are likely on 2009 referrals by now.  I was only speaking from my own experience.  I doubt they would have misinformed you about where they are in the appointment schedule.  I am sure you will receive your appointment sooner than you anticipate.  It is well worth the wait.  I am just nervous now about my next appointment and am hoping that things will flow smoothly.  I am nervous now about the posts from others indicating that this surgery may no longer be covered.  It would kill me to get to this point and find out that it won't happen. I am trying to stay positive about it all and educate myself.  Only advice I can give you going into your first consult is to prepare questions.  I wish I had done that and certainly will upon my next visit.

Since they book appointments far ahead of time, they probably are working on early 2009.  I expect that they have to go over the referral file & map out who they are going to see when, & co-ordinate that with the doctor's schedule.

 It does get a little confusing however when I called I was told that they are working on referrals from early 2009. I was referred in March 2009 and she told me that I would likely have my first consult in early January 2012. 

As long as Dube doesn't mess around with anything, then there is light at the end of the tunnel.

That's great news.
I'm not sure when my referral was sent but since I missed my first appointment on June 3rd, I'm hoping to be on the next list of calls..Keeping my fingers crossed.