Pleasantly Surprised

Hope everyone is having a great week.

I had 3 appointments in a row today to meet with my doctor, dietitan, etc, and I'm surprised at how fast I am going. My dietitan says she will approve me for surgery at my next visit (in 3 weeks) and that all I will have to do now is my sleep study and meet the surgeon.

I am irritated because the Sleep Clinic is booked until November :( I have no patience!

other than that, I am kind of amazed at how fast this process is going for me? My doctor said my wait til will only be 5 to 7 months. Is that normal? Is it because I'm young and in good health (except for my weight obviously).

???

No I don't think it's because your age or that you are healthy other then your weight. Each clinic has different waiting times. Some of it may have to do with how things go at each appointment. In Toronto one can easily expect to wait at least a year or more. After meet the surgeon dates can be 5 months away. I was able to fast track and take advantage of cancellations and was lucky and had my surgery under a year.

The key is take the time to learn and prepare... especially mentally... the surgery is just a tool...the rest really falls on us.

Good luck...it will be here before you know it. Plus this is an awesome place to get support!!

Laura

Congratulations! It sounds like your process is moving along really well.

Like Laura said, I don't think they use age as a factor. I am 46 and the practitioners deemed me to be in excellent health, except obviously for my weight, and my asthma which was a factor "to monitor" in and after surgery. They did not ask me to do any additional testing, so I was able to move my process along very quickly... orientation to surgery in just under 4 months. I'm in Toronto.

Maybe you can get on a cancellation list at the sleep study clinic to potentially move it forward?

Wishing you continued success!

Glad to hear that things are moving along! You are happy and that is the most important thing. I would call the sleep clinic daily to see about cancellations. Maybe you can get ahead of that part faster. I would also recommend that you read the book The Emotional First Aid Kit, by Cynthia L. Alexander. It was really interesting and it will prepare you for what is ahead. Opened my mind to a lot of things I didn't think of. I am so happy for you! You are moving on up to the Loser's Bench. Please keep us posted!

That's great! The time will fly by.

It took me over 2 years to go from orientation to surgery, with lots of bumps along the way (like my asthma specialist disappearing for a year, which meant i had to wait for a "visiting" specialist who didn't know me).

How exciting for you.

At TWH, the criteria was the size of your neck. If it was over 16", they ordered a sleep study. Mine was 15", but she measured wrong and said it was needed. I "kindly" asked her to measure again, and she said "Oops, you're right" - which saved me a step and a few months.

Taking the time you need and going through all of the steps is indeed necessary. I learned a lot and was so prepared going in which has led to my success on the program and my commitment to it.

Best of Luck.

Hi Lina

I would call the sleep clinic and ask to be put on the cancellation list. You would be surprised how many people cancel sleep study appointments. I can't promise anything but I had a cancellation within a week and every time I was in the offices they were calling people asking them to fill cancellations. Obviously each location will be different but it doesn't hurt.

I got a cancellation at the Sleep Clinic. So I only waited a week. People don't want to do it on a weekend. I got a Friday night and it was perfect.

I just had my 3rd visit at St. Joe's in Hamilton. After all things said and done, I have my Dietitian and Psychologist appointments booked for Dec 11th 2017. I have requisitions for h-pylori and ECG which I can do where I want to. Once those two tests are done, then the nurse will book me to see the internist then maybe nurse practitioner? or surgeon? or someone else? I am actually surprised at how well things are moving too.

I think the process depends on how you (me or anyone else) as an individual are open to scheduling and changes in the respective hospital work load. If we can be flexible then it seems we get things done quicker. Just my thought on the subject.

Congrats on getting this far so quickly!

Under 24 hours later the Sleep Clinic called to book me in for October. I guess she slipped me into a cancellation list because originally she said I wouldn't hear from them for 2-3 more weeks! Woohoo.