Frustrated with Ontario Wait Times !!

I think you hit the nail on the head, you knew how to navigate the "red tape"  :) 

I think it's only been in the last two years that people have really started to realize that they can get this surgery in Ontario covered by OHIP. So now there is a rush on the bariatric network as we all take the opportunity to have the surgery covered. And it seems they are having trouble keeping up. As others have said, our healthcare system offers a lot of benefits but one of the downsides that comes along with the benefits is wait times. 

The other side of this is that I have met more than one person who got surgery done in less than a year who are now having trouble keeping themselves on track. Not taking vitamins, no issues with sugar so they indulge, not losing weight after the first six or eight months due to eating all the wrong things. They weren't mentally prepared, they didn't have the same kind of wait that others have had, they knew what to say to get cleared and now aren't taking advantage of their opportunity. Not to say that everyone who gets through quickly does poorly of course, but sometimes a longer wait pays off as you have a lot more time to really get your head around the changes, start to make some before surgery, and you appreciate the opportunity that much more. So waiting does have some advantages.

That being said, I hope you don't have to wait another 7+ months!! I think there was a bit of a backlog around Christmas when OHIP funding ran out for a few hospitals, so maybe that's part of the problem too? 

I thought I would make one more comment to see if I can clarify my initial comment because based on many of the responses I did not communicate my thoughts clearly.

1)      I did not indicate that there should NOT be a waiting period or time to prepare for this life altering surgery.

-          What I was trying to get across was that when you are cleared by the medical team (Nurse, Dietician, Social Worker and Internist) they have given their professional advice that you are NOW ready for surgery. If they felt you were not ready they would not clear you and the waiting/education period would continue, which I totally agree with. However, If there is a long waiting period after you have been deemed READY for the surgery then there is a problem with supply and demand and that should be looked at to see if there are changes that could made that would reduce that particular wait time for everyone. The waiting period after you have been cleared is not an education period it is a waiting period because there are not enough surgeons or surgery suites, resources or funding available to deal with the large number of patients requiring this surgery …simple supply and demand issue.

 I personally believe there are always ways to improve process and procedures that impact our life and this is no different. This is exactly why the hospital stay time for this procedure has recently been changed from 2-3 days to 24 hours, the change will allow for more procedures to be done at a lower cost which allows for more folks to have the surgery.  If everyone had just sat on their hands and accepted things as “just the way it is” then this procedure would still not be covered by OHIP and the Bariatric Centres of Excellence would not have been created. Progress is achieved when the status quo is challenged.

2)       One person commented that she was sure if I have complications I will think it will be everyone else’s problem but my own.

-          I find it disappointing that on a site that is designed to educate and support one and other that someone would make such a comment without knowing me or my situation, I guess some people just know what’s best for everyone else regardless. I have researched and studied this process for almost two years now and am 100% aware of all potential risks and complications and what I need to do to minimize them where possible. Saying that I would blame others for something that may be my own fault is both uniformed and disrespectful.

Well that’s it for me, I will make no more comment on this (as I am sure many of you will be happy about).  Best of luck to all you in your journey!