Getting Frustrated with the Wait

I met with an orthopedic surgeon back in Feb 2011. I have a genetic back condition that puts incredible pressure on my sciatic nerve limiting my mobility. Because of my weight, the ortho doctor referred me to Dr. Ellesmer. I met with him a couple of months later and during my visit Dr Ellesmere decided I was a good candidate for surgery but told me the wait could be up to 2 years. About 8 months ago I started getting concerned that I hadn't heard anything since my initial consultation, so I tried calling to find out where I am on the list or if somehow how I had fallen through the cracks.

I've made several calls to his office and have yet to get a call back. Is this typical of the process? Is there another way to find out what is going on?

I think you are pretty lucky to get in to see Dr Elsmere that fast. Also for him to say 2 yrs where the wait time is anywheres from 10-20 yrs if you do the math.

Even after losing the majority of my weight I still have back issues. Physio, chiro and massages will be your answer until you are seen. He probably put your name on the next information group. In the meantime read NSBlues profile. You will have to try to lose some weight on your own prior to surgery. So hopefully you are not waiting for the surgery before making a good attempt. I didn't have the strength in me to do it after years of attempts so I went to Mexico and paid on my own.

Who are the go to doctors in Mexico. I'm seriously considering going to Mexico, waiting 10 to 20 years isn't an option for me. I'll be in my 50s or 60s by then :(

Dr Kelly, Dr Ponce de leon for the price range if around 6000 by the time you pay your flight. Do go with Trish if you want Dr Ponce, for some reason the Canadian people that book fir him are charging 8000 or more to accompany you but Trish Is down there and will take great care of you without the extra fee. Both of these surgeons are in Tiguana.

There are two very prminent ones in Mexicali. Dr Aceves and Alaverez or something like that. They are a little bit more 8500-10000 but the sound very good.

I would find out where you are here with Dr Ellsmere. Two year wait isn't bad. Sometimes getting the referral from a specialist to another specialist is good. Definitely keep calling.

Sorry I cannot recommend any other surgeons. After my research fir a ling period of time I wouldn't use anyone but Dr Kelly. DR ponce does not speak english but has interpreters.

I went to Dr. Kelly for my VSG in Nov.2012 after being on the wait list here for 3 years with 7 more to wait.

I had a very positive experience. I am a nurse and I took my friend who is a nurse with me. We were both very impressed. We were treated like gold.

Dr. Kelly is a very experienced surgeon. He was born in the USA and speaks perfect English. His entire staff is terrific.

If you have any questions for me or need his office numbers just message me. Good Luck!  Linda

Referrals to Dr Ellsmere via medical conditions are a bit different than your usual doc referral for WLS.... and all are placed on the waitlist according to their degree of core morbidities etc  If Dr Ellsmere said 2 years you are fortunate for the normal waitlist is 10 years. 

I seen Ellsmere Feb 2011... my referral went in in sept 2010.. My gut was fully outside my abdominal wall and had high blood pressure and diabetes (on 170 units of insulin daily). I had lost 170 before seeing him and he looked at me and asked if I was committed to this....when i said yes, He said he was going to put me into their WLP, i should lose 30lbs and he would do WLS. I had lost the 30lbs in 2 months...but I had to go through their WLP before being approved for surgery...it was frustrating waiting but tis the way it works.  9 months later and 200 more pounds gone, I had surgery.

If you have seen Ellsmere already...they have your name.I am sure you leaving messages at his office they have been reminded of your name and are in the line up... but that line up they do not give out over the phone at all.. You will get a letter when your name is put into the roster for the info session...that comes first and there usually is 2 or more info sessions a year. Once u have that letter then you go through the WLP and once approved by the program and have your one on one the team, wls is swift...

you can read up on their wlp on-line... http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/obesity-network