Question:
Is it normal to wait 6 months to even SEE a surgeon?
My PCP had no problem referring me to the one surgeon in the area who performs the procedure, but when I spoke with the referral coordinator, she said that I would see the surgeon in Decemember. It's JUNE! It seems ridiculous to me that I can't even have a consultation with him for 6 months. Any comments/suggestions? — Luci L. (posted on June 6, 2000)
June 6, 2000
Six months?? I thinks its a long time to wait. One of the surgeons I was
looking into didnt have any appointments available for another two
months...so I decided to call another well known doctor in my area, I got
an appt for the same day! If you can, look into other qualified surgeons in
your area, but if you really have your heart set on this doctor I suggest
you use this time to do further research into the procedure.
— [Anonymous]
June 6, 2000
I would suggest you call the surgeon's office and make the appointment
yourself. Then go back to the girl that does the referral and tell her the
date. The referral itself doesn't have an actual appointment date on it
(at least mine never did) but it has a date that the referral expires.
Call and make the appointment yourself, you may find that you have better
luck. Also, if he is the only surgeon in the area that does the procedure,
I don't see anything wrong with waiting 6 months. This is becoming more
and more popular and if they are the only ones that do it, then they
probably have a lot of people looking into it. Maybe you can find another
surgeon somewhere else? Just a suggestion.
— enjo4
June 6, 2000
Yes, it is normal for some surgeons. Some are very busy. If you're willing
to fly to CA, Dr. Keshishian has a fairly new practice will little wait.
Though his practice is new, he's very experienced & a fabulous surgeon
with a fabulous assistant. (I am not affiliated with them, just live
near.) His website is http://www.gr-ds.com. Good luck to you!
— [Deactivated Member]
June 6, 2000
i truly understand your situation.i had to wait about three
months to see my sergeon. my health provider did not have a
doctor for wls. they were in the mist of getting sing on to the
group. I called to get a appointment three months ago to
see him and just this week my insurance just approved the
referall for my to go to him and my appointment is on 06-08-00
it does take a long time in a lot of cases. keep the faith.
good luck.
— Andria S.
June 6, 2000
I noticed you are talking about Dr. Vierra at Stanford. He is my surgeon
and when I began, it was a two month wait. You are the third person in the
past few days who have said he has a 6 month wait now. You might want to
try the doctors at Mills/Peninsula Hospitals as I think they can take you
in much sooner and are equally as experienced.
I feel fortunate I started last November and my sugery is two weeks from
today.
— Denise K.
June 6, 2000
Just wanted to add, go ahead and make the appt just in case. Moat of us
wait quite a while from beginning till the actual surgery date so make the
appt and in the mean time you can be researching other surgeons in the
area. But, be on the safe side and make that appt now!
— Denise K.
June 6, 2000
I called the surgeon who is supposed to be the "best in town" in
Birmingham, AL. His receptionist said he had NO appointments for the rest
of the year 2000! Thank goodness there are other surgeons nearby, though
I'm not sure yet if they will be covered by my insurance. What a pain!
— Kelley B.
June 6, 2000
Hi Luci! I was very fortunate that I had been reading this site every day
for several days and over and over people said to be aggressive about being
seen. I live in Knoxville, TN (which is the 3rd largest city in the state)
and nobody here does the surgery!!! I had to go to a Dr. in Johnson City
(1 1/2 hours from Knox.) and a very small town. THankfully, I got an appt.
for three weeks after my call (plus I had to see my pcp before my surgeons
appt. for a referral). I kept calling and calling to ensure that my
surgeon got my referral. They recived it while I was having my
consultation!!! Anyways I wouldn't give up and I wouldn't settle for
second best. If you have some time to commit to calling around you may be
able to move things along a little more quickly. P.S. My first call was on
or about May 5, 2000 and I'm having all of my pre-op tests done during the
first week of July 2000. God-willing things will continue to progress
smoothly. Thanks to all
— Becky H.
August 20, 2000
I called in June to get an appointment and was given an October 21st date.
I went into the office about two weeks later and asked the receptionist if
I could fill out any paperwork to help the process go faster. She said
yes... so I filled out some basic things. I then asked if I could be on a
waiting list for cancellations. I called every Thursday and finally got a
September 1st date. This was very good for me. The doctor was to be on
vacation all of August so I felt very lucky. Good Luck to you... and to
me!
— marlene R.
August 20, 2000
I have to wait a month for my consultation, then wait for the approval,
THEN they will give me a surgery date, and right now they are booked
through December, maybe January! So, I am looking at about six months for
the surgery itself I think. I'm hoping I can be on a surgery
"cancellation" list, but I want to make sure I go to an
experienced surgeon so I guess this is the price I have to pay! Good luck
with your wait and eventual appointments, I know how hard the waiting is,
we could be almost skinny in six months :)
— Tina C.
August 21, 2000
It happened to me. I started researching June of 1999. It was November
before I saw the surgeon, December approval, and April surgery. It's just
one of those things with scheduling and surgeons. Best wishes.
— [Deactivated Member]
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