Question:
Is 3 montha along time to wait for the first visit with a surgeon?
I have just received insurance approval to see a bariatric surgeon. I called to schedule my appointment. I was told to fill out all the paper work being sent, provide 5 years of medical records and that they would call me to set up an appointment when my records are reviewed. I also went to the Military Clinic to get a copy of my records-was told it would be 6 weeks before they can get then copied-Wish I could find a way to speed up the process as that will even slow down the time I can be scheduled for an appointment. Is it a common practice for the MD to review past med records and call you to set up the appointmens? As of today-the surgeons first available is in January. Don't know if I can wait that long. — Jan S. (posted on October 9, 2002)
October 9, 2002
Hi. I wanted to offer my opinion. It is not really a long time to wait. I
did a little research and got a list of surgeons in my area (South Jersey),
and the first guy I called did not have an appt. until January 15th, 2003.
Keep in mind the first call I made was in August!!!! I called a few more
surgeons until I found one that could see me on September 16th. I think a
lot of it depends on how big your surgeon's office is. Don't feel too
discouraged. Try calling someone else, like I did. Perhaps he or she is
very popular, and has a lot of business because he or she does a very good
job. Keep your chin up. You made the first step. :)
— J. W.
October 9, 2002
I waited 7 months from the time I called to make my appointment for my
initial consult until I saw the surgeon.
— John Rushton
October 9, 2002
That is not long at all...
— Kayli M.
October 9, 2002
I made my first call in July 2001, has my first consultation on Oct 30,
2001, second consultation in January of 2002, third consultation in April
of 2002 and finally had surgery on April 22, 2002! Three months is cake!
The time will fly, trust me on that one!
— jenn2002
October 9, 2002
All doctors are different in how they do things. In my case, it took one
month to get an appointment and I didn't have to supply any medical
records.
— joeandteri
October 9, 2002
I called to schedule my consult at the end of July and got a date for
October 22, a wait of almost three months. Several weeks later, feeling
desperate to get an earlier appointment, I made calls around to all the
surgeons in the Boston area and learned that my 3 month wait was nothing.
All the other surgeons were not scheduling consults any earlier than March
of 2003 and some were talking about March 2004. Suddenly I was quite
grateful for my wait! Now, the desperate feelings have passed and the
reality of this tool is sinking in and I'm grateful for the wait. While I
want to lose weight and gain back my life and my health, I am already
mourning the idea of losing food as comfort and friend. But, in the
process, I'm gaining friends, the very people who will support me and
contribute to my success in using this tool to succeed where diets have
failed. The miracle of this site is not only information that is contains,
but the people who possess that information and their willingness to give
of themselves. Use this site while you are waiting to learn about WLS,
about yourself, and about life after WLS. It will the be the best use of
your time that you could ever imagine. Blessings on your journey.
— rebalspirit
October 9, 2002
That is really quick!! I waited 6 months, and that was in 2001, now they
are up to a year wait. These guys are in demand!
— Cheri M.
October 9, 2002
I have found that 3 months is GREAT ! Several Boston programs take so much
longer if they are even taking appointments. Also getting it done LAP made
it a little harder to find the right doctor. I called in Sept and my
consult is 12/13 so that I was happy with !!! Best of luck
— khamil65
October 10, 2002
I sent in my paper work September 19th and my consult date is now scheduled
for February 13th, 2003. I am taking this time to get all of my pre-op
testing done and out of the way. I am lucky because my pcp has worked with
my surgeon many times before and knows what tests I will have to have done.
Good luck! :)
— Tammy O.
October 12, 2002
It took 5 months to see my surgeon for the first consultation. Some people
fly through the whole process and get surgery 2 months after they decide to
do it. It took me 10 months from the time I started the process until the
time I got my surgery. I thought I couldn't wait either. It's
frustrating, but in the end, it is worth the wait!! Go on a regular diet
in the meantime if you can't stand being big any longer. That's what I did
and it was just less fat to lose post-op. But keep on trying to get the
surgery while you diet!! Good luck!
— ediecat
October 15, 2002
I had to wait 2 months and thought it was forever. But it was well worth
the wait, I had my initial consult last Thursday and now I have to wait to
see a psychiatrist. Waiting is just a part of the process. I'm learning
patience:).
— Kimmie C.
October 15, 2002
I waited for 2 months for an appointment. But that was only the beginning
of the waiting. After finishing all of the testing required by the doctor,
I waited for 3 more months for him to submit my information to the
insurance. Before he could submit...he put his program "on hold"
and I had to start at square one...and MORE waiting. Be patient...and have
faith..it will all work out the way it is supposed to. Good luck to you on
your journey!!
— Lynda D.
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