Question:
Seeking Patients of Dr. Grant in Durham NC

How long did it take from filing application till first visit then till surgery? I hear some say anywhere from 3-6 months for them to even look at the application and another 3-6 to get an first visit and then another 3-6 for a surgery date...that's like 2 years....Please help!!    — mistiemay (posted on December 14, 2002)

December 14, 2002
it took me 7 months from info meeting to surgery :)
   — christine S.

December 15, 2002
Any doctor that makes you wait for 2 years for this surgery is not worth going to. Change doctors NOW. THis is ludicrous. I literally got my surgery approved in two weeks from beginning to end. There are other doctors out there with far more experience and less egos. Do yourself a favor and walk away from this turkey.
   — suitfugue

December 17, 2002
Can you travel elsewhere for your surgery? I am having surgery TOMORROW with Dr. Rhonda Wachsmuth in Charlotte. She has over 10 years of experience and comes highly recommended. From time of submitting paperwork for the initial consult to surgery date is about 6 months. I hear Dr. Cook in Hickory is also very good. Good luck to you!
   — asumamma1

December 17, 2002
I think 2 years to wait for surgery is pretty excessive. However, I feel compelled to say that the fact that you have to wait doesn't make the doctor a turkey. Personally I wouldn't wait for 2 years but I wouldn't expect to get from start to finish in 2 weeks either. Generally, waiting means a surgeon is quite experienced and in great demand. Again, I wouldn't wait 2 years but I wouldn't question his dedication or abilities because he has a long waiting list. Waiting lists aren't uncommon for WLS patients. Hang in there and Merry Christmas!
   — ronascott

December 17, 2002
I am a patient of Dr. Grant's. I requested the infor. packet from his office in January 2002. They sent me a letter stating I was a candidate of surgery in February 2002. Since I lived out of state they requested that I have a series of tests done by my PCP. So I had that done and my PCP sent him all the results back by the end of March 2002. They sent me a letter in April 2002 advising me of a consultation appt. the end of May 2002. I attended the consultation, met with Dr. Knowles (internist) for a quick physical and for her to go over all the results of the tests I had done, and then met with Dr. Grant. In June 2002 they made me go for a psychological assessment that my insurance co. did NOT require, but they did. So I attended it and passed. Then they attempted insurance approval. I got approved within one week and could have got a surgery date the end of July, but we had a trip planned so I took the August 7, 2002 date. So it took me 8 months to get everything done, approved and into surgery, but some of that was due to me living out of state, having to travel so far and postponing the date about 6 months. Unless something has changed they were claiming 6 months to get a surgery date and I recently go an e-mail from someone else going through Dr. Grant's procedure. I do not blame you for NOT wanting to wait 2 years. I hope that is not accurate. I am very pleased with Dr. Grant, the other surgeon, Dr. McMahon, and my decision. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. Good luck.
   — K.D. P.