Question:
It's 4 months until consult with DR.SLOTMAN. should I wait or finda new DR.?

My consult with doctor Slotman is 4 months away! Should I wait or try to find another doctor who can see me sooner? I researched him found nothing but excellent reports from former patients, he's very close to my home and excepts my INSURANCE. But should I wait so long?    — aleeish J. (posted on July 5, 2002)

July 5, 2002
I researched WLS for about two years, so when I was ready I was READY! The first doc I called had a three month wait to see him, the doctor I finally went with (who was terrific) saw me within two weeks. I also liked the fact that while my doc was busy, he wasn't so busy that he couldn't fit me in...I was interested in being able to have access to him post op, too, and was not confident that I would have the same access to the first doc who had such a long waiting period. Best wishes...follow your heart and you will make the right decision for you!
   — Ann B.

July 5, 2002
I agree with the other poster -- you have to do what feels best to YOU. This doctor sounds excellent but if 3 months is too long for you to wait, by all means start looking around for another surgeon. I waited 9 months for my initial consultation and ended up switching surgeons to have my surgery anyway. I hated the wait but in the end, everything worked out well for me. Best of luck to you.
   — Pam S.

July 5, 2002
I can only say he is definitely worth the wait. I did go to several other doctors on my quest for wls while I was waiting for my appt with Slotman...and thank God I did, because it made me realize the difference between him and the others...more caring, more personable, more....human. I thank Dr Slotman everyday for having the skill to enable me to get where I am today. Post op 5 1/2 mos. down 127 lbs. No complications, went home 1 day early, no pain meds after 2nd day in hosp-text book case. My c-section was 10 times worse. I would do it over again in a heartbeat. Schedule other appts if you need to, but I highly recommend you wait.
   — Valerie M.

July 5, 2002
I know how you feel. I made my initial appt with Slotman in Feb. I couldn't see him until May 23rd, they he sent me back to my PMC doctor for a clean bill of health. She sent me for pre-op tests. I called Slotman's office back, they said the first available date was Dec 16,2002. I am checking into a doc I read about here. His name is Dr. Pasupathy from Bridgeton, NJ. I called his office and got an appointment within 2 weeks. She said their surgery dates are into late Oct, early Nov. I understand that he has an accent and might be kind of hard to understand, but that he's a terrific surgeon. Also, he's in Cumberland Co, where I live. I'll let you know. My email is [email protected]
   — Martha P.

July 6, 2002
You should consider yourself lucky. I am seeing Dr. Raper at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. I called last October for an appointment and had to wait 7 months - until 4/25 - for my initial consult. Things have moved along since then and I am scheduled for surgery on 7/17. If I were you, I would just continue to wait rather than switching horses in mid-stream. There are a lot of people out there wanting WLS (HUP has 500 people at one point or another in the pre-op loop).
   — John Rushton

July 6, 2002
I know just how you feel. There was a 7 month wait to see the surgeon I wanted to. I did everything I could to make sure I was on the list in case someone cxl'd. I asked if I could fill out my paper work. The doctor requires you to see a film and to read two books. I arranged with his office to get that done even though I was not a patient yet. Then I found another doctor and began the process. It so happens someone did cxl their appt. and the doctor of my choice can see me next month, because I will not take as much time as I have already done the initial requirements. I have not decided to stop the other process yet because I am wondering which doctor can do the surgery first. But I am leaning toward the first doctor because he is closer and the follow up care is so important. I guess I am saying play it out both ways and then decide. Good luck to us both! (LOL)
   — Pam G.

July 8, 2002
I started with Dr. Schauer in Pittsburg. Initial group consult was October 25, 2001. I am still waiting for a surgery date after being approved in April 2002. It is July!! I called Bariatric Treatment Centers in March and had my first consult with Dr. Adolph in Columbus, Oh. on April 24th. My surgery was June 25th and I am now two weeks post op. I am glad I did not wait. I never cancelled myself from Dr. Schauer's list just in case something happened with Dr. Adolph. Nothing wrong with working more than one at a time.
   — Victoria C.