Frustrated with Ontario Wait Times !!
The normal wait time from the time you attend orientation to surgery for most people is up to 1 year and most of us know that going in. I know its hard to wait but have patience your time will come as others have.
It's not about having enough doctors or facilities it is about how much OR times all doctors/hospitals have and its not just WLS doctors. I just went to see a surgeon about another issue that had nothing to do with WLS and he had his operating time cut recently and I know of some people that earlier in year had their baratric surgery cancelled as the doctor or hospital had used up all their operating times for the year.
Referral- March 2012, Letter April 19, Orientation TWH- June 6, NP - July 3, Sleep Apena test July 16, Internist and SW - July 17, Nutritional class - July 23, Dietician appt. July 30th, Psych-Social appt - Aug 20th. Follow up with doctor sleep apena Aug. 28th Surgeons appt. - Dec. 14th Dr. Jackson. Surgery date - Feb 12 2013 - VSG
Yep, I agree. The wait times suck! I also don't understand how some people get through in 6 months, others 12+. You would think that it would all go in order by referral date, to make it fair for those who have been waiting for what feels like ever. It's all fine and good to be patient, however, that is not in my nature! :)
Some centre's request additional testing for patients who have certain medical conditions. I know that they needed information from my heart doctor and my crohns specialist plus I needed sleep apnea test done. Some people have to go through further psych testing. So no going in order of referral dates would not make sense because if they did that and had to wait till all additional testing for some patients are done it would hold everyone else up.
Referral- March 2012, Letter April 19, Orientation TWH- June 6, NP - July 3, Sleep Apena test July 16, Internist and SW - July 17, Nutritional class - July 23, Dietician appt. July 30th, Psych-Social appt - Aug 20th. Follow up with doctor sleep apena Aug. 28th Surgeons appt. - Dec. 14th Dr. Jackson. Surgery date - Feb 12 2013 - VSG
I agree Blueiiis. I am patient to a certain point but as I have said once you have been cleared by everyone for the surgery it shouldn't take another 7 months to have it. I agree that the first stage should be use to prepare and educate yourself which I have done but now I am ready and waiting longer now serves no purpose. Nothing I can do now, just frustrated that's all. It's like I said, if we all just accept the wait times things will never improve or progress.
Just proves my point that there are flaws in the system, my orientation was also in April 2014 but yet my surgery wont be until Dec or Jan and I did everything asked of me and was cleared on my first visit with the Dietician, Social worker, Nurse and Internist. Guess that's just he way the cookie crumbles...hmmm cookie, now I'm hungry ...arghhhh
I only waited 4 months as well! I took short notice appointment and cancellations and did every test as soon as they asked. I had been contemplating the surgery for close to 8 years and my sister and aunt had theirs 2 years and 4 years (respectively) before me. So I had lots of exposure and first hand knowledge of the life style and had no problems navigating the "red tape".