Question:
How long is the wait in your area?
Hi everyone- Due to the recent popularity of WLS, in my area, there is a year long wait. I submitted my questionaire in January 03, and per my last call with the surgeon's office, they said they will call me "soon" to book an appointment in September or October 03. Only then, do they start with their pre-testing, insurance submission, nutritionist, etc. I have looked into nearby hospitals that perform WLS (within 100 miles), but for different reasons (insurance, not accepting new patients, etc), it's not possible. I don't begrudge the surgeons or hospitals for this wait, I understand they are doing the best they can with this huge (no pun intended) influx of new candidates. I was wondering if some of you could list your locations and how long the waiting period is in your area? I have relatives in different parts of the country and am seriously thinking of looking in their areas, if possible. Also, I'm curious if WLS is a big boom in other areas as well. I'm in Western Massachusetts. Thanks, Mea — Mea A. (posted on May 15, 2003)
May 15, 2003
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has about a 7-9 month wait for
the first consult...JR
— John Rushton
May 15, 2003
I think your wait is about normal. It took me 5 months to have the first
consult with my surgeon and I have my surgery scheduled 3 months after
that, and I hear now they are scheduling 5 months after first consult. I am
now 82 days pre-op, I do not know is it is because there are so many people
having the surgery or there are not enough Baractic surgeons. Hope this
helps
— cindy
May 15, 2003
Einstein Hospital
Phila, PA
I have been waiting about 6 months.
My consult is schedule for next Wednesday!
Hippeeeeeeeeee!!
— smmeow
May 15, 2003
HI, I HAS WLS SURGERY ABOUT 4 MTHS. AGO IN KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AT TRUMAN
MEDICAL CENTER WEST WITH DR. ALI AND IT TOOK ABOUT 3 MTHS. TO GET IN FOR
THE FIRST APPT. AND THEN IT TOOK ABOUT 2 MTHS. AFTER THAT UNTIL I HAD THE
SURGERY, BUT, IT ALSO DEPENDS ON HOW FAST YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY IS TOO ON
APPROVING YOU FOR THE SURGERY, AND MINE ONLY TOOK A WEEK. HOPE THIS INFO
HELPS. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!
— Melodee S.
May 15, 2003
In Denver, CO...you have to go to Dr. Snyder's seminar first (next one is
May 22nd)and then they try to schedule you in the next 2 weeks or so for
your consult (they do make special arrangements for people coming from out
of town)... I will have all of my pre-testing done by then, and he is
looking at surgery in August for me...If you don't have your pre-tests
done, add about 6 to 8 weeks to that. For more information go to
www.denverbariatrics.com----Good Luck!
— Missy L.
May 15, 2003
PHOENIX ARIZONA. I CALLED IN AUG 02 & FIRST CONSULT WAS 11-4-02, THEN
IT TOOK TIL 4-17-03 TO GET INS APPROVAL & MY SURGERY DATE IS 9-29-03.
— PATRICIA S.
May 15, 2003
Hi, Mea! For WOODBRIDGE, NJ: I called in July, 2002 to book the consult
with my surgeon on 9/19/02. From that day, it was 4 months (approx 12/15)
that I got my surgical date of 1/27/03. So, about 5 months "from
consult to cut". It was relatively quick compared with other surgeons
in central NJ; for some, the wait is 6 months to a year for a consult date,
then another 6 months for the preliminary evaluations and to get a surgical
date. For others it doesn't take quite that long. Good luck! Joyce C,
3.5 months post open RNY, -56 lbs
— Joyce C.
May 15, 2003
I live in Alabama and the doctor I am using is Dr. Freema in
Anniston, AL. I called for my consult in March and had an appointment in
April and I am having surgery next week 5/23/03. They are wonderful people
to work with. Hope this helps. Mary
— Mary K.
May 15, 2003
Hi! I live in Flagstaff, Arizona, but am having my surgery in Phoenix,
Arizona, about 150 miles away. I contacted the surgeon's office on
12-29-02. All paperwork and psych eval was completed and request was
submitted to insurance co on 03-07-03. Got denial letter on 03-20-03. Did
footwork and appealed on 04-03-03. Received approval on 04-07-03. Surgery
date is 08-11-03.
— beeda
May 15, 2003
WOW, the wait time seems to be varied all over the country. I see I'm not
alone in the year-long waiting period, though. So far, the shortest
waiting period seems to be "way down in Alabam..."(bam-a-lam) :o)
— Mea A.
May 15, 2003
I called my doctor the first time in mid January, had a consalt appt less
then two weeks later. Had pre-op testing about three weeks later and had
surgery three weeks later at Wionan Hospital in Indiana.
— Marcy S.
May 15, 2003
Washington state: The wait is anywhere from 4 months to 3 years depending
on who the doctor is and which side of the state you go to. West side -
seattle - the wait is longer than say Spokane or the Tri-Cities.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 15, 2003
I live in north eastern California. The wait time in my area depends on
which direction you go. To the west there is a six month wait. To the south
there is a year wait at some places and six months at other places. To the
south east there is a four to six week wait deppends on what type of
surgery you want, band or rny. It just so happens this doctor is in a small
place where you would not expect a doctor to be doing this surgery.
— tig797
May 15, 2003
Northern Virginia. My surgeon currently has bout a 3-4 month wait. I know
of another surgeon in this area whose wait is just a bit longer. There are
quite a few good surgeons in the DC/Virginia/MD area doing WLS so patients
are not so limited as they may be in areas where only a few surgeons or 1
hospital is available.
— Cindy R.
May 15, 2003
Have you tried calling Dr. Stephen Griffey at U-Mass Memorial in Worcester?
He only does Open RNY's but when I went to them, last summer, it was about
2 months for initial consult and the surgery was approx. 2-3 months later.
I decided to go with Lap RNY but if you are interested in Open try giving
them a call. I can find you the # if you would like. ([email protected])
Good Luck! P.s. I waited 9 months from first call to surgery date with my
surgeon in Eastern Mass. but I think he is running about a year now also.
That's Massachusetts for ya!!
— Kelly W.
May 15, 2003
Hi....I called the surgeon's office a little over a month agao and the
earliest appointment was the beginning of September, but I am able to get
the other consults done a head of time....nutrition, psych, pulmonary, if
necessary. I want to go to his office prepared to submit the request to
the insurance office. The surgeon is Darius Ameri in Stoneham, Ma. I also
called another in Boston...Dr. David Lutz. I could get the appointment for
mid August, but could not do any consults before the appointment. You can
email me if you have any other questions. [email protected]
— Tanya C.
May 15, 2003
Los Angeles, CA - the first start of my process with Kaiser took about 6
months (from Aug-Dec'02). The second leg of the process is with UCLA and my
surgery is scheduled for June 4th. So just under a year total for me. I'll
be having RNY -LAP. aimee
— chickiewickie
May 15, 2003
3-4 months here in Tacoma area of WA.
— vitalady
May 15, 2003
FOREVER here in Northern Virginia :o) Ok, seriously, with my surgeon -
about 6months from start to finish with no hitches. Cindye
— 2doOrnot2do
May 16, 2003
Many ppl in Ontario go to Rochester NY for surgery with Dr.O'Mally and
self-pay. The time from calling for a consult to surgery with Dr.O is about
3-4 months. I'm in Ontario Canada. My surgery is scheduled for Aug7/03
here in Ontario. I saw my family doc for a referral in Oct/01 so it will be
almost 3 years for me by the time I have surgery. And that is with no
insurance to deal with. Too much obesity-not enough surgeons.
— mary ann T.
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