Cannot pick my surgeon?

I agree, there is no "bait and switch" going on anywhere.  People are referred to the Bariatric Centre, not the bariatric surgeon. They operate as a team.

"Bait and switch" is what I felt like -- I am not suggesting that was what was going on. Grantcharov is who my cardiologist was impressed by and obviously my cardiologist didn't know that when he referred me to Dr. G - his choice for me would not be followed through on.

In my opinion, the programme would be well served if they made it very clear how the pool works (beds, OR, funding avail when you pass muster), especially for elective surgery.

Frankly, I like to know exactly whose hands I am putting my health care in and to be bounced around from one surgeon to another was disconcerting for me. My GP referred me to a surgeon (head of dept) for another surgery years ago. She specifically wanted him to take care of me. I saw him weeks before and 90 mins before they put me under. He wasn't in the OR. Someone else did the surgery and the outcome was left with lawyers.

Hi Sandy this resonates with me a lot.  When I was going through the process I really hoped and prayed that I would be given a surgeon at TWH to have my surgery there.  TWH was closest to home and work.  I ended up being put through TEGH and, although still very grateful, I was really really bummed.  I got to see Dr. Aarts and she was absolutely lovely.  I ended up having Dr. Aarts do the surgery too (she did warn me that Dr. Cyriac may have been my surgeon) and even though I had a complication and was in ICU for 5 days I really got great care at TEGH.  Dr. Aarts and the whole ICU team at TEGH were great.  So I have no doubt that you will get great care at TWH too and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised at just how great the care will be.  I wish you continued success on your journey and please keep us updated as to how you're doing.  Sending big hugs your way!  xo

Thanks for the reply. It would appear I have to see the psychologist again, because I think the first time I saw him before, he did not make or submit a report.  Now my surgeon appointment is delayed again, due to this second visit to the psychologist, which is not even scheduled, then wait for another round up meeting...etc. I was hoping to have surgery before my second knee operation, and the receptionist told me they are booking into November right now, which is the same month my knee is scheduled. I feel like I am being made to jump through unnecessary hoops. How has your journey been going? Why did you end up in ICU?  I am currently off work now, and wanted to stay off wor****il all this surgery is done. Do you have any problems at work? If I wait until January I can get Dr. Aarts. Maybe I will just do that...I am very disappointed,  as I called the receptionist every day looking for cancellations, got all the appointments done, and now this...S.

Hi Sandra I am sorry to hear of this setback.  I do hope that you get in for your second psychologist's appointment ASAP. 

My journey was a bit frustrating at the beginning because my doctor referred me to the bariatric registry in May of 2013 but I never heard anything for ages and ages.  I went back to my doctor late that summer and she said to keep waiting.  Eventually I called TWH myself and found out in November 2013 that I had indeed been referred but my referral must have "slipped through the cracks".  I finally had my orientation in early 2014 and eventually had my surgery booked for February 4, 2015.  So but for the referral blip, it was about a year from orientation to surgery for me which I've heard is pretty much the norm.

The complication I had was during the first surgery I had a "P-E-A episode" as they called it which means "pulseless electrical activity" and basically my heart stopped.  They got it going again and continued on with the surgery but it happened again so they halted the surgery. I was in ICU after and got a cardiologist who did a full cardiac workup.  After the full work up, including an angiogram, it was decided that my heart was fine after all, and although they couldn't pinpoint why it happened they said it was likely vaso-vagal in nature and an anomaly.  So they proceeded with the surgery on February 6 and all went fine after that.  After surgery though they had no beds on the regular ward though so I stayed my whole time in ICU.

As for work, I was open and honest with everyone there including HR.  When I first advised work that I was a candidate for gastric bypass, I was told they would pay me for the 6 weeks Dr. Aarts recommended I be off for, but when I actually got my surgery date they told me they wouldn't pay me and I would have to apply for Employment Insurance which I did.  It took about 3-4 weeks for EI to hit my bank and they didn't pay me for the first two weeks.  Other than that work has been great and I've been getting a lot of support from quite a few of my coworkers....some coworkers act like the food and stairs police, but other than that, I can't complain really.

I hope you're able to keep us posted once you get your psychologist appointment.  I really really hope it's soon so that you can get the ball rolling and get an actual surgery date!  But this blip may be that you do end up at TEGH which I know you were wanting.  I will keep sending you good vibes!

Thanks. I have been calling the TWH for the past three business days and getting all kinds of nonsense runaround, so I called the psychologist office myself instead of waiting on them. I spoke personally with the doctor and got my appt for two weeks from today. Here is my question. After I meet with the psychologist for the second time, will my file have to go to "rounds" again? This will be yet another delay. I have been off sick since May. My employer insurance benefits have run out while I was recovering from left knee replacement.  I am now on EI sick benefits, but they don't last forever. I need to get the right knee replaced AND the bariatric surgery done, along with recovery, before all my income runs out. I cannot afford all these delays financially. I was hoping to return to work in January but if the bariatric people keep delaying me, I will not be able to have surgery anyway, since I need to work to survive, and all my sick benefits will be exhausted. I have been sitting here for months waiting on them, and my time us running out. They are not very sympathetic. I know there are several of us waiting, but they should be a little more considerate to special cir****tances. 

Hi Sandra I know once the final step for my appointments was done the team met the following Friday to review all the files and then the week after that I got the call for the surgeon's appointment.  I am sorry to hear of your struggles and I hope they work something out very soon.  But way to go for taking charge and calling the psychologist's office yourself!