How Long before first communication?

Hi,

I know this maybe a strange question, but my doctor submitted my referral last week and I am just wonder how long it took everyone to receive their first call from the Surgeons office?

Thanks!

Are you in the US or Canada? It works very differently depending. I'm in the US and I never waited- called and scheduled directly with the surgeons office. I handled the PCP referral via the online portal.

Canada! I am guessing it will be St Joe's. My GP submitted my referral last Tuesday.

I was so impatient, that if I had to wait for a referral (I didn't), that I would have called the surgeon's office a day or so after I knew my PCP had sent it over.

I just did that with the vascular surgeon I'm seeing on Wednesday. Needed a referral, asked for it, then called and checked with the surgeon's office to be sure they received it. When I found out they didn't I had to call my PCP again... it took a couple of calls to get it all straightened out.

I'm in Vancouver, BC and I waited 16 months to hear from my bariatric surgery program. It was then another six months until I had surgery (the wait is much longer here now, unfortunately for newbies).

It was very frustrating waiting, but I used the time to immerse myself in the OH boards and read everything I could to educate myself about everything to do with both RNY and VSG surgeries and what to realistically expect in regards to a weight loss outcome and any and all potential complications and required lifestyle changes.

The goal should be that when you finally get the call and sit in the office, or orientation meeting, that not one single thing they tell you should come as a surprise. That is how well-informed you should be prior to surgery.

Thanks...I fully investigated the procedures prior to my family doctor submitting the referral. I wanted to make sure that I was comfortable with the worst case outcome, prior to the meetings,

I guess I just need to wait patiently! Not my strong suit...lol!

It wouldn't hurt to call the insurance company yourself to make sure they have everything. That way you can get an idea of how long it takes to approve.

I think it was about a month from the time the referral went in until my orientation. I had orientation in July and surgery was the following April.