Another year! Really? :-(

I am outside of Toronto and was done at St. Joe's.  I was originally referred in June '12 and didn't get my orientation until February because they sent me to Toronto first and then moved me up to HHRH.  Orientation in February '13, met the surgeon in Mar, then the Dietician, SW, and RN in May, and back to see the surgeon in July when they gave me the date of Dec.  I was so sure when I met the surgeon in July that I would be through the surgery in Sept/Oct but there was only one opening in Dec left.  I was never told that any part was going to be long.  The longest part for me though was this final step waiting for surgery.  I had my optifast and just wanted to get started.  I am felling pretty good for being 10 days out.  I was actually expecting to be a little more sore or tired.  I am just tired of liquids and can't wait to get to some pureed foods next week.  Good luck on your venture.

Over a year for orientation...wow, that is so awful.  Glad to hear you are feeling better than anticipated.  Wish you a nice quick recovery.

I waited a year from start to finish and part of the delay was caused by a health issue that delayed my first orientation. I doubt that the doctors and other members of the interdisciplinary team prioritize people based on how many phone calls people make but maybe those people have a "sense" of being fast tracked but seriously folks I don't think that is how they prioritize people. 

I remember feeling impatient but I used the time, as people advised, reading as much as I could and trying to make some changes. 

Nerak

Hi Nerak! I agree that they do not prioritize based on how many times you call, but I do think if you are lucky you may call when a cancellation becomes available.  Pure luck but it is tempting as the process is just to tiresome. How are you doing? 

I am not from Canada, so I hope I'm not intruding, but my sis in law worked at a bariatric area in a hospital and once told me that the ones who needed it the most often got surgery faster. People who absolutely have to lose weight quickly to get their health issues under control to avoid getting any sicker etc. Could this be a reason?

It is quite possible but that is not what we are told at orientation.  We are told that it is first come first served.  In fact, they said that the more health issues you have the longer it takes to get surgery because they have to do more testing etc. to prepare them for surgery.  They said this is the opposite from non-elective surgery, where the sickest usually get surgery first.  But who knows? All I know is that it is very frustrating.  I am ready, have worked hard to be ready, and now it is just annoying. 

I was a I think almost 11 months for referral to my initial orientation and then 9 months from that orientation to surgery.  It's a long wait but it will come!  Good luck

Thank you burg_vs.  11 months is a cruel amount of time to wait for the orientation.  So it took almost 2 years - holy cow!  Do you feel it was worth the wait?

(Zizzler) I get your frustration. I's a drag. Thanks for asking me how I am doing. I'm 10 weeks out and I feel like I am doing really well. I've had to move my post op appointment a couple of times so not sure about vitamin levels and all that but I am walking a LOT. I feel full of energy and so much more self-confident than I felt a few months ago. I can't eat much at all (as forewarned) and sometimes it's disheartening truly how little I can eat It's not that I want to eat crap - it's an adjustment.. I seem to cope best with this by exercising. I have to say that it is so much fun fitting into my old clothes and getting new clothes (on sale mind you). I feel good most of the time but can't tolerate meat (except a little filet of beef or rack of lamb - I know, fancy pants). I eat beans and tolerate that well - don't have the flatulence but will vomit if I eat too much - even one bite too much. I don't have dramatic symptoms of anything but if I eat poorly I feel poorly almost immediately - so I'm getting deconditioned. I feel this will really enhance my quality of life and overall mental health and physical health. Thanks for asking Zizzler and before you know it, this will be in the past (this waiting). 

X0

nerak

Glad to hear things are going well with you and that you are feeling well.  From the amount of replies I received to this post I know many are in the same situation.  Helps to put things in perspective...