Dr changing his tune

Hi all,

I'm a new member, and have been thinking about getting bariatric surgery for the last few months.

It all started when my Dr. suggested the surgery to me.  Long story short, I have been big my whole life, have tried every diet, fad, etc around, but to no avail, cannot keep any of the weight off.  At this point, the best I've been able to do is maintain my weight with a low calarie diet.

During the initial discussion with my Dr, he seemed very confident that I would be accepted for surgery, I have joint problems, high BP, and my resting glucose is now on the rise.  With these factors and a history of diabetes and heart disease in my family, it sounded like a good option.  He told me to think about it, and we would discuss at my next apointment.

Well my next apointment happened and now he is changing his tune, suggesting that I may not have "enough wrong with me" to qualify, mentioned that the wait time is now so long due to the Halifax surgen no longer doing the procedure.  Instead he suggest I see a homiopathic specialist (seriously??), and if I really wanted the surgery, and wanted it quick, I could go to a private clinic and have it done.

On a side note - I thought the referral to the homiopathic person was odd - cuz last time I was in he lectured me about not bying into pills and vitamins to lose weight, and how its a waste of money. 

So now what?  Do I just keep harassing him until he give me the referral?  I'm worried that I'll never get on the list if he doesn't help...

Don't want to discourage you but I Have been on the Halifax list for four years and have not been contacted.  Pretty much lost hope. 

Hard to hear that from your doctor but he is probably right.

Yeah, and according to my Dr they are no longer doing the procedures in Halifax, they don't have any surgens qualified.

Yeah, I believe that is probably the case.

All I know is that their website says 10 years.  They might as well say don't bother.

Such a shame for all those waiting.

So frustrating... I would like to be put on some list.  In case more Drs start doing the procedure, or we get a Dr on PEI to do it.

Please don't give up I was on the list in Halifax for 12 years and had my surgery last July. The list is long but if you have health issue your wait may not be as long. In the end it is worth the wait, but please do not think this will be easy after surgery. Surgery is just a tool, and you still need to do your part. I would keep after your doctor, have him send a referral to Moncton and to Bathurst I have heard the wait times are not as long. Good luck.

Hi, I live in PEI. I asked my family doctor to send a referral to Dr Beausoleil at the Georges Dumont Hospital in Moncton NB- the closest Barriatric Dr to us Islanders. that was back a little over 2 years ago. It took 10 months from referral until my first consult with the surgeon and then 9 months from that for my surgery. One thing you should know is it's not enough for your doctor to send the referral you should make sure the clinic actually gets it and also make sure your doctor sends a letter to the province for approval. and the clinic actually gets that. Without the approval letter, the clinic will not call you. I had no co-morbidities , I was healthy other than the weight. In 7 months I've lost 130 lbs. It's been the best thing I've ever done for my health! Good Luck!

Forgot to mention both my sisters and a friend at work have all gotten referrals from their family Dr's to Dr B since my surgery and it only took a few months for each of them to get their first apt with him so their wait time was even less than mine. Once you have the first apt, it's 9-12 months for surgery so the wait time is actually less now, could be 12-15 months start to finish/referral to surgery

That is interesting to hear, definitly not the wait times my Dr was quoting me.

I would highly suggest and recommend looking into Dr B in Moncton and forget about Halifax!