Frustrated @ Humber wait time - vent post!

I'm going through Humber.

I was referred in July 2014. I waited a year only hear that they lost my referral. My doctor's office called them and worked some magic because they added me to the orientation in August 2015, (13 months later!)

since then I have called them and was told (after me pressing for info and reminding them that I was in fact referred in July 2014!!) not to expect a call to book 1st appointments until January 2016!

so my guess is that surgery not likely until next summer/fall.

***yep, the fact that I've already waited a year does not matter.****

this is so frustrating, and demotivating. had they done what they were supposed to, I would have had the surgery already.

sorry everyone I needed to vent to the people who would understand this the most!

If it is any consolation, you are in Canada and not facing a $45,000 bill like some of us in the US without insurance coverage.  My sister-in-law took out a home mortgage to pay for surgery and then did not follow the plan and gained all of her weight back.  She will be paying that mortgage for the rest of her life.

Yes, I do agree that Canadians are fortunate to have paid basic healthcare. Absolutely.

That said, not everyone gets coverage for this surgery - only cases that meet certain criteria - otherwise it's self-pay. it's not a free for all.

Canadian healthcare is definitely good but it's certainly not perfect. My vent is sort of highlighting the administration issues of the healthcare system. I mean who loses a medical referral file? there's all kinds of personal stuff in there and who knows where it went?

At least if you go the self-pay route, you don't have to wait for years and jump through hoops and red tape. But not many people are able to do that.

I read the RNY boards and there are insurance companies that cover the surgery - and none of them take 1-2 years to work it's magic. Yes our health care is "free" (free.. do you guys pay super high tax on everything you buy? Don't even get me started) but we have to wait and wait. I was recently hospitalized for 8 days for a gallbladder removal and released within hours of it being done. I'm not saying our health care is totally bad, just that it's not perfect. 

Also, I looked it up.. the average cost of RNY in the US is about 20k, not 45 with the exception being Alaska at 56k. Source.

I thought you asked to be released due to your sub-standard care?  Also,  hst is 13% if that is the tax figure you are referring to.

My response was to the woman whose "consolation" for the Canadian vs American health care systems by placing only a dollar bill on it. I guess you find it perfectly acceptable to have the wait times as we do since we don't have to pay for it.

And for the record, I did not "ask" to be released early, but I did opt to when given the chance - it's not like I signed myself out AMA. You have no idea the hell I went through for the last week.

Hi Laura I am so sorry to hear you are going through this.  My doctor initially referred me back in 2013 and it turns out I had slipped through the cracks and was delayed myself for about 6 months.  I am wondering too if there's more of a wait for you since Humber was recently renovated. 

One word of advice I have heard is (after you've had your first set of appointments) is to call to see if they have any cancellations for future appointments.  Sometimes that can speed things up.

All the best to you on your continued journey and here's hoping for NO MORE delays!

thanks so much Dreamy, that's great advice and I will most definitely make those calls.  surgery is not for everyone - I'm there are cancellations!

I actually did ask about the move and they said they were backed up even before the move; that the move itself wasn't a huge factor.

MY GOODNESS!!! they lost mine 3 times!!! I'm not sure what kind of process they have when they get their referrals but it's clearly not working!!! 

I feel you pain!!! hang in there... I'm sure that 2016 will bring good things for us!!!!

They are not very organised!!!  keep calling and and asking for sooner appointments.