Scheduling Appointments

[SLH-A 49]

Is it just the center nearest me, or has anyone else noticed that their center is not accommodating to people who actually work for a living? The only time they have scheduled for their mandatory seminars is either 8:30am or 3:15pm. The only time appointments can be made is between 8-5 M-F.

I feel like this is set up against people who have to work for a living. Geared only towards those who are retired, or unemployed. I'm feeling very discouraged and turned away from this process because I have to work a real full time job. Are people that work full time day jobs not allowed to be overweight?

One of my main questions during the initial information session was how far out would surgery be scheduled. They had no way of telling me. Only that I'd have 3 weeks noticed of it being scheduled. I have a job. A job that requires much more than 3 weeks notice.

I feel like this whole system is set up to fail me before I even begin.

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[Christinamo7 4,042]

that's rough - be sure to offer them feedback as they usually do research to find out when people want a seminar.

the center I went through offered evening seminars. I don't know if they also offer day time or only the evening.

how much notice do you have to give for time off? 3 weeks seems like a lot.

[KristenLe 5,979]

My Program has evening seminars but all individual appointments are 8-5. The appointment time is fairly typical for medical specialists. It's suggested we give 30 days notice for FMLA. Could you have asked for a different surgery date?

Edited June 8, 2016 by KristenLe

[Read2016 658]

I work and have not had that experience... The place I'm using is a bariatric center of excellence... I did take one day off from work but got four insurance requirements done that day... I know not everyone has a job that allows them time to go but maybe if you did first or last appointment you could go in late or leave early... The seminars aren't scheduled at a very good time...

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them"

Einstein

[SLH-A 49]

Only the initial info sessions are in the evening. Their orientation and other appointments are 8-5 only.

I work in the medical field. My job has us schedule all our vacation weeks for the year in January. My boss had agreed to let me take a few weeks off on short notice, but our work schedule is done 6 weeks in advance. I can't mess with those 6 weeks.

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[Read2016 658]

Can you trade with someone a day here or there?

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them"

Einstein

[SLH-A 49]

KristenLe: I asked during the info session if I needed to change my surgery date, once it's scheduled, could I? The two office ladies literally looked at me like I had three heads. It's not like I'd want to put it off longer, I just don't have the luxury of dropping everything at work.

nyteacher125: I'm going to have to go talk to my boss, again, to see if I could come in late if I took the earliest appointment. I work in the OR at a hospital, so it's very hard to try to come in late or leave early.

Trading is a good idea, but I'm already scheduled 8 hrs M-F.

Thanks everyone for the input. I really just needed to rant because this has been eating at me for a few days. It's just very disheartening to finally commit myself to this process and have all these uncontrollable road blocks.

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[Read2016 658]

I would think working in the medical field would make them more accommodating when you need to get medical care... All I say is I have a doctor's appointment, they say fine just been a note to serve as proof you were there... In the process of research this surgery in the past two months, I've been blessed that they let me go... I have to leave more than expected because the first two surgeon I didn't feel were a for me.

Good luck

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them"

Einstein

Edited June 8, 2016 by nyteacher125

[Clarevoyant 347]

It is very frustrating. I'm grateful that I can work from home on occasion and try for appointments at lunch or beginning or end of day but even that has been hard. I've had to have 22 Appointments over the six months between NUT, specialists and the monthly check in.

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[Valentina 2,642]

An experienced and motivated scheduler should be able to schedule all of you required one on ones on the same day. It will be a lLLoooonnnngggg day, but only one. I did scheduling for a few years. Will it be easy? No. can it be done? Sure can!

As far as the surgery date and giving notice-----do you happen to have a hernia or an ulcer???? Those two things can't wait for a lengthy approval process at the workplace. Understand??

Ask for three surgery dates to choose from. That will give you more "breathing room" for negotiating with your workplace.

​Are you close enough to another bariatric center where you could attend the required seminars there? One Center of Excellence in NY has on-line seminars for those who can't attend in person.

Think outside the box. With a good relationship with your bariatric team and some creative thinking you should be able to "get r done".

Good luck. my friend.

Prayers going up.

[SLH-A 49]

nyteacher125: I thought the same thing. All being medical professionals, I was hoping for a little more understanding in scheduling with the Bariatric Center office.

My chief/boss seems happy for me, which I'm grateful for his understanding and willingness to work with me. But I work in Anesthesia, and we are require to have so many CRNA's during certain hours of the day. So leaving early and/or coming in late is really hard to accomplish.

Valentina: Thank you so much for the info! I feel a bit better knowing that maybe I can figure out doubling up (or more) my one on ones on the same day. No hernia or ulcer to complicate scheduling further. I'll definitely ask about multiple surgery dates, that's a great idea. The Bariatric Center near me is a Center of Excellence, but it does not offer on-line seminars. I'm hoping to find someone in their office who is willing to work with me. The ladies I talked to at the info session were less than helpful. I'm trying to remain hopeful that I can find just one person at the center willing to understand my scheduling issues.

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[Read2016 658]

If your in NY, I love the place I'm going to use... Doctor has a great understanding of the psychological struggle of obesity, love him!!

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them"

Einstein

[SLH-A 49]

Located in NC.

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[James Marusek 5,244]

From the time of the initial consultation until my RNY surgery, it took around 9 months. The biggest delay was with my insurance company. They required a 6 month medically supervised weight loss program consisting of diet and exercise. There was a requirement to meet with a psychologist, a pre-op extensive physical exam, a second round of pre-op examines by specialist in their respective fields for those areas they had specific concerns, almost a day of training that went into extensive detail about the surgery and post-op requirements. Then there is about a month delay in getting on the surgery schedule. So it may be hard to come up with an exact date this early on and a lot hinges on your medical insurance company requirements.

[SLH-A 49]

There are so many variables that go into affect. The office has already inquired about my insurance requirements. My insurance does not require the 6 month weight loss supervision. Just 3 DR, 2 NUT and 2 Psych visits. Who knows how long that will all take. I'm just going to take one step at a time and see how this all unfolds.

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