OSU patients?

Hello First let me say congratulations to all who are on the losing side and good luck to those that are waiting! My question is for anyone that has had WLS through OSU, I have sent my application of accepptence into their program a week ago. How long does it take for them to decide if you meet their requirements? Thanks in advance to anyone that has any information they would like to share.

Hi Ruth, If I remember correctly about 4-6 weeks. OSU really stays on top of things I was very pleased with the adminstrative side of the program with keeping up on this and staying in touch. Karie

Karie, Wow, 4-6 weeks seems like a long time, just to let you know if they accept you into the program or not. I thought that this would be the shortest wait of all. I was thinking that the insurance is what takes so long...LOL I know that this is not a short journey, and at least I will have the upcoming holidays to keep my mind busy! Thanks again!

Hello Ruth, First of all, OSU is so backed up, that they are not accepting alot of applications until you are in a 12 week or longer supervised diet. I had sent my things in and recieved my letter about 6 weeks later saying that I was not accepted until I did this. So If I was you I would go start on one right now. This is the information they fail to tell you at the beginning. I was on a Journal diet and they would not except it due to it not being supervised. Regardless of weather or not that I had previous supervised diets. As for timeline I know the doctors are really backed up. I am not stearing you away from them. Needleman Is a good Dr. That is who my friend went through. However, I decided to looke elsewhere. Dr. Trace Curry in Cincinnati gets a person in quickly. That is where I am going and they are all very very nice there. I havent had surgery yet, because I am waiting on an approval God Bless and Good Luck Jackie C

Ruth, Hi, I too have signed up months ago for OUS, I want Dr. Needleman too, but I have done everything that they have asked, bloodwork, seen the dietician, went to see a shrink, sent in a 5 year history where I have been over weight from my Doctor, and when it was all in they called and told me that I needed to have a 3 month supervised diet program, and that would of been up the middle of Sept, untill she called back and said it is 6 months now, so that will be the middle of Dec. so I am on a hurry up and wait deal. I did join Curves and in one month I have lost 10lbs. I love it...so don't expect things to go fast, by the time I can see the Doctor, I might have enough weight off that I won't have it. I hope your journey is alot better than mine...good luck

Hi Ruth! I have actually had a pretty good experience with OSU. I am scheduled for lap-band surgery with Dr. Needleman on 12/2 (the late date was my idea, needed that timing for work). I submitted my application to them on 5/11/04. Got acceptance letter into program on 5/15/04. (I listed both surgeries at this time, wasn't sure which way I wanted to go) I was scheduled for the required Nutritionist appt on 6/1/04. I was scheduled in the required 4-week nutrition class to start on 8/5/04. Got insurance approval on 8/5/04. Had pre-op visit with Dr. Needleman on 9/28/04 (that was the longest wait). Scheduled for surgery on 12/2/04, but they had dates as early as end of Oct at that point. Good luck - hope your journey ends up being more like mine Oh yea, Dr. Needleman is the best! Really makes you feel comfortable. I've talked to other patients of his, both RNY and lap-band, and everyone has only very positive things to say about him...worth the wait! Pam

Pam, Thanks for the information. I am hearing alot that they are really backed up right now. I am still waiting to see if they are going to accept me or not. I am also looking into Dr. Curry . Both Dr's Curry and Needleman are " In Network" with our insurance. I have heard great things about both Dr's and Hospitals. Thanks again!

Hi Y'all, My God! a 3 month supervised journal? Supervised by who? Mother of God! I might be 290 300lbs by 6 or 7 months from now! God Forbid !I have the Info packet from OSU BUT it is from 6 years ago. lol I don't jump to a decsion hastely ! lol Actually I was positive I could take my weight off myself. I was wrong Big Time! It's been difficult to admit that surgery is my best option. I have Medicaid and I've just found out that Medicaid sometime in the past year or so decided to cover one Surgical procedure for obesity (Morbid of course) , of course they say must be medically imperitive, I think when I see that phrase. And would someone want this / and major surgery IF it wasn't ..?? lol I may be wrong about when Medicad began covering Obesity surgical procedures. I am guessing you wouldn't have submitted the application, (I'm assuming they sent you apacket w/ the app., and requirements). If you didn't feel you met OSUs' requirements Apparently, due to demand a wait is ahead of you. Personally , I think it is good to know this going in. I wish you the best of Health and Luck!. You might consider Mt. Carmel or Riverside, I would imagine requirements might not differ a great deal lol But then what do I know I am at the starting gate. ') I'm hoping that the other posts explaining the long wait will reassure you. Carpe Diem! Liz PS: I just found this site last night. This is my 1st post.

Welcome to the site.

In my opinion OSU is worth the wait. I had to get Medicaid approval before they would even look at my application. Did that in May and it took 2 months. Of course for me I had already been seeing a doctor, going to physical therapy and trying to lose weight on my own for over a year. I got word from OSU to do the prelim tests and evals but wasn't officially accepted until November. I saw my surgeon in January and was scheduled for surgery in February...had it in April for other reasons.