Question:
Has anyone ever had their surgery date pushed forward by request for a good reason?

Hi! everyone, I just started a business as a child daycare provider and my consultation with my surgeon is not until 3/03, let alone not having a surgery date yet. I am afraid I will lose my clientele after building it and after surgery due too possible complications and it's long recovery period(open RNY). This feild requires me to be energetic, have emotional stablity, be relaibile and a host of others. How did any of you, if any, get your surgery date pushed forward or expedited and what did you do and/or say. PLEASE HELP ME!!!    — JUNE P. (posted on August 22, 2002)

August 22, 2002
One thing that you have to understand is that WLS is very popular right now and there are a limited amount of surgeons doing the surgery. I had to wait 7 months for my initial consultation and almost another 3 months after that before my surgery - and that surgery date was only that soon because someone else cancelled out. Otherwise, I still might be waiting. At the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, there are two surgeons currently doing WLS. About a month or so ago, there are 500 people in various stages of pre-op at HUP. I am sure the other surgeons have similar backlogs. Unless you are going to BTC, you have to realize that there are other surgeries that take priority in an OR over WLS - which is considered elective surgery. Your surgeon may also be performing other surgeries besides WLS as well. Sorry that I don't have better news for you, but I thought understanding the situation out there in WLS-land might be of benefit to you.
   — John Rushton

August 22, 2002
Well my surgery was scheduled for september.. After I had informed my surgeons office I repair machines in schools for a living. I admit I yelled at them:( They moved me to July 23rd it was opened by a cancelation. Jens surgery was moved up as well, our insurance was running out. Jen had bbeen off work nearly 6 months on disability. WLS is so popular, the surgeons are overwhelmed. But they do try to accomnodate where possible. You should try to get LAP, since the recovery time is faster...
   — bob-haller

August 23, 2002
June, have you checked out other surgeons in your area? Or if there aren't any, perhaps other surgeons a little further out? I know the wait for WLS can be a little long but I can't imagine waiting 7 months just for the first consult! So, after the consult, do you have to wait another year for the surgery?
   — Cindy R.