Faster Program

I have started the process of getting accepted for surgery through OSu's program and I feel it is moving fast. In just 30 days, I've completed my physician's bloodwork, physical, sleep study (night 1) and nap study. By the end of next week, I'll have completed my psyc eval and nutrician eval. Within two more weeks, I'll have the 2nd night sleep study completed. I know I;ll have to wear the cpAP machine for 4 weeks after that before I'm ready for surgery. I feel it is moving fast, however from everything I've read, OSU is unbelievable slow to get through so when should I expect to hit the bumpthat slows this down. If this is going to drag out unnecessarily, I'd like to look into a different program now. Why does OSU have a repututation for taking so long? Have things changed lately? And...are my only choices Barix and OSU in Columbus? Barix wont take me because I've had cancer and they want you to be cancer free for five years. I like OSU so far, but I dont want to wait any longer than I have to...KWIM?

Dr. Curry is a very popular bariatric surgeon in Cincinnati. He is with Deaconnes Hospital. Him and his office staff are very highly regarded, and you'll be happy you chose them. The web site for him is newyourealyou.com

I had my surgery with OSU a little over 2 months ago. I did have a few requirements to go through due to my insurance but once I was done with that I was in the operating room within 2 weeks. It may have been slow in the past but I think they have really worked hard to streamline the process and it seems to have worked for me and several other people I know of. Good luck and if you have any specific questions feel free to email me, I will be happy to answer whatevern questions I can. Julie

Julie...how long did your pre-op "getting ready" phase take with OSU from the time you applied to the program until the time you had surgery? BTW..I looked at your profile and you look GREAT! I think that Shannon Surber at OSU told me four months. Is that realistic? Thanks!

Dear RS I had my surgery at OSU this May. OSU is NOT a slow program. My timeline was "long" because of my work schedule I had to have appointments at odd hours...there fore I had to wait for them. It took a long time to get my psych evaluation because of the office I chose to go to. Once all of my OSU requirements were met, they sent my file to the "committee"...it met 3 days later and THAT DAY I was told that I was approved for surgery. Then I scheduled my nutrition classes (which take 4 weeks) I COULD have had my surgery immediately after the nutrition class, (as long as the surgeon had an opening) but I had to fight with the insurance company for 8 months! SO...OSU did NOT hold me up, my insurance company did. Also which surgeon you choose determines how long a wait you have for the surgery. Dr. Needleman is the most busy and you have to wait longer to get into him. I had Dr. Mikami and my surgery was 2 weeks after my consultation with him. Good luck! Liz Hillsboro

I think things are moving fast for you. I would stick it out. I have been waiting 8 months, My insurance company requires a 6 month supervised diet. That was finished. Now I am ready to get my surgery. Time has flown by. They are doing everything to make sure you have a safe surgery. Take Care and good luck with your surgery. My surgeon when I went to see him he said he could do it in less than 2 weeks. My insurance company is what held me up Take Care Barb

OSU is throrough, and it's worth the wait, although my wait wasn't that long at all. This is MAJOR and shouldn't be rushed. It took most of us many years...in my case over 20 to put on all my weight so 6 months to get WLS wasn't so bad.

Speaking of OSU...I go TODAY for my psyc eval with Dr. Kramer at OSU Harding Hospital. Any words of wisdom to get him to recommend me? Specifically, I'd like to not cause him to recommend that I need months of counseling before I am ready. No whining about how I think I look hideous right? No mention of the words "I get depressed" right? No unrealistic expectations of weight loss, etc.? Just talk about how my being obese inhibits my daily activity and affects my health right? All of this makes me so nervous because it seems there are so many people who have the power to say I can't have this. Thanks, guys!

Hi, I hope things went well with Dr. Kramer, I found him easy to talk to and very encouraging. Julie

I am 4 days post-op with OSU. My insurance requirements were really what made things move more slowly. I am thrilled with OSU. Mount Carmel also does surgery here in town but I would strongly recommend OSU. OSU takes special care to be sure you are prepared for life after surgery. I am finding that even with all of the classes and education that this is not an easy thing. I am glad I had to wait a little while. Good luck! Shellie