Waiting for OHSU

How long did you have to wait from the time you sent in your patient questionair til you got a call from the clinic?  Then how long did it take to get an appt.

Wow - it's been so long ago now that I don't really remember.  I know that I went to my info seminar on Jan 20, 2007.  I sent everything in as soon as possible.  It didn't take too long before they got the ball rolling with collecting all of my backup info that was required to submit to my insurance, but I remember that collection taking a long time because they claimed they never got the stuff faxed from my doctors' offices.  I finally went around, collected everything myself and faxed it to them so they couldn't say they didn't get it.  Then they submitted to insurance, I got approval, then the appointments where scheduled pretty quickly I think.  I was approved in early April, but my surgery wasn't till July.  I think that was because I chose Dr. O'Rourke and he was going to be away for a while.

Best of luck to you!  You're in for an amazing ride.

Linda

 Mine was August to October.  The biggest hold up was getting my medical records from my doctors office to OHSU (the records shuffle is a pain in the rear).  If you can hand pick up and hand deliver I would recommend it.

I don't think I received a call until after my records were all submitted. I ended up calling them first as mine were "lost" 3 times due to an old fax machine on their end and the records dept on my dr's end being less then steller. The fax has been fixed since then though lol. So for me, it took well over 4 months total to get things right.

I mailed in my app for WLS on a Friday and was contacted by the clinic the following Wednesday because all my medical records are with OHSU. 

My initial appts with the NP and dietician were scheduled the same day of the contact.

WoW... some of these people got their stuff through in record time.  I have not been so fortunate.  I went to the orientation on 9-17-07... Turned in my application and medical records one week later.  Before OHSU would even see me I had to complete the following tests.
Endoscopy
Colonoscopy
Sleep Study
Cardiac Clearance
Pulmonary Clearance
Pap smear
Endocrinology Consult
Blood specimen evaluation
Psychiatric Consult
Nutritional Consult

Alas 11 months later I finally got an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner.  Just this month they submitted paperwork to insurance... I am waiting for a reply/approval from them.  I call and politely remind them that I am waiting for approval about every three days.  So for me It has taken over a year.  I hope that you do not have to wait this long, it is treacherous!
Good Luck,
Amanda

 how strange that you did not see the nurse pract. first.  I saw the nurse and nutritionist for an initial visit and the nurse sent me off to complete some of the  several tests you wrote about.  These tests were driven by my insurance company.  I saw the nurse after the 3 months or so that I listed above.  I did not get a visit to the surgeon and a surgery date until 1 year after my initial information seminar.

Tina

I guess it is different for everyone.  My freind at work went to Good Sam. and made an appointment, saw the surgeon first, did some of the tests above, and got scheduled for surgery in 2 months.

I did hear back from the insurance company, and now am scheduled for surgery on 1-27-09 yippeeee! 

Amanda

I didn't think you started all the other tests until they made sure you were a candidate for WLS.  I don't want to do all those tests and then not even be concedered a candidate.  Now I'm really discouraged if I have to have all the tests before seeing the NP.

 I felt the same way but i think really if you meet the BMI you are a good candidate.  The tests further establish that (like you have no intestinal problems) or confirm your comorbidities (like sleep apnea etc).  Just start ticking away at them.  Each one will get you one step closer.

Tina