Timelines

I saw my GP 3 weeks ago and asked for a referral for WLS. When can I expect any communication to indicate that I am in the system and how does it come? Do I get notification in the mail or does my GP contact me? I know this is not a sprint but I do want to ensure that I am in the system. Thanks.

There doesn't seem to be any real answer to this question. I was referred in July and did not have my initial appointment (orientation****il December. It is just a letter from the hospital giving you a date. That is when you also find out what hospital you will be going through. If you already know what hospital you can always contact the hospital direct to see if they have processed your referral.

Others have heard within a month from the program with a date. If I were to do it again I would have followed up with my GP within a month of asking for the referral.

Good luck with your journey!

Thank you. That exactly what I thought I would do. I'll give it a couple more weeks and then call my GP and make sure they did the referral.

Yea because you may be sent to Hamilton or TWH. Mind you when my hubby and I were referred the doctor thought Humber for us. I was happy we both were with TWH... I found the process flowed well and you were never left guess when an appointment may be until the surgeon appointment.. .But that I would expect.

Good luck and yes follow up with your GP....with my hubby they had to refer him twice as his referral never made it the first time for some reason.

Yes.. definitely call your GP.. they can tell you what hospital you are being referred to.... then you can call them to be sure they got your referral.... My doctor's secretaries "forgot" to send it in for almost a month... had to keep on his secretaries to get it in.... (His secretaries are the worst... they never do things on time... I was told a month after I had my gallbladder removed for gallstones...that I even had gallstones...lol)

I was able to get my orientation date by calling the hospital... long before my paperwork was sent from them.. :)

I was referred November 29/16 and recieved a letter in the mail about orientation a couple weeks later. I had orientation January 12th.

Well I called Doctor and there was a note to refer but nothing to indicate that it had been done. Secretary was going to speak to my Doctor and get back to me.

Thanks everyone!

Hey SweetRide, congratulations for starting the process!

When my doc did the referral, he gave me a printout confirmation that said he had successfully submitted the referral, and to which centre. I think it was just a print screen, but he had me keep it for my records.

As others have mentioned, a letter comes in the mail letting you know when your orientation will be. I can only speak for Toronto Western, but it also came with an info packet that had to be filled out and sent back.

Then, at orientation, we got our first three appointments, and at the last of those three, we got our next two.

I call for cancellations - even called for my orientation to move that up. Depending on the centre, it's easier or more difficult. TWH is quite accommodating. It depends on you, if you do want to move things up, or take it at the pace they set for you. Many have preferred to take it at the pace set by the centre as it gives them the time they need pre-surgery.

Wishing you much success on your journey!

I saw my GP on May 23, 2017 and received my letter to attend the orientation at TWH in the mail today. The orientation is scheduled for July 26, 2017.

As it turns out, my referral was done today. Whether prompted by my call or not, I am in the system and have an ID #. I actually have that number. So I will wait somewhat patiently for the next thing to come but I was told that if I wanted to call and follow to go ahead and do so. I'm just relieved I'm "in". :)