Waiting a possible 12 months for surgery?! Vent

[hadc 0]

I have my referral for a surgeon and am scheduled for the seminars and the evals but the surgeon coordinator for the hospital is saying it's a 8 month wait for surgery after approval! I guess I'm just a really impatient person sometimes but a year seems like a really long time to wait. I'm a borderline 40 BMI and I'm afraid that if I start my healthy habits before this surgery that I'll fall below the requirements and won't get it at all.

Who would have thought that I'd be begging for surgery! LOL

[Blueeyesinca95 0]

That is a long wait after insurance approval. You might want to consider another surgeon or hospital. The waiting would make me crazy as well. Good luck on trying to get in sooner!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I agree, perhaps another surgeon? Because if it is that long to schedule surgery, how on earth will you get in for fills, or if you have other problems? My surgery was scheduled in under 2 weeks once insurance gave the green light. I'd look for another surgeon! :thumbup:

[amberstar 1]

What area are you in? I would def try to find another hospital and surgeon. I was self pay, but I had a surgery date within two weeks. Good luck

[hadc 0]

Sadly, I'm only approved to go to the military hospital because we're in Honolulu. I tried to talk Tricare into giving me a referral for a specialist off base but unless the hospital sends me it's a no go. I hope hope hope that the military is just blowing smoke up my skirt and it won't be that long. (I think part of their job is to scare us away from the surgery)

[gentylwind 1]

Done the military thing...it probably is that long of a wait, especially in Hawaii where there isn't the option of traveling to another military medical facility to have it done. Tripler is very busy due to basically all the branches of the military stationed on the islands having to use it.

Best of luck and hang in there.

[hadc 0]

I think you're right Gentyl, Tripler is always busy for everything. I guess now that I've decided to do it I want it done asap. I'll try to be patient and hope that I can get in earlier than 12 months.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Usually when insurance is paying for your surgery, you are only given very limited choices.

I too from the moment I was referred to the WLS program to the date of my surgery was well over 12 months time. I had to go through seminars and dietician appointments for six months, yadda3. I will tell you this though, I don't regret one thing. Those dietician appointments really have helped me a great deal and prepared me alot too for things to come and expect.

I am very impatient too, but I got through it. I am now coming to my one year Bandiversary in a few weeks. You can do it, and if you want this badly enough you might have to endure things you wouldn't otherwise wish to do.

The only other alternative is self-pay. If your personal funds do not allow for it, you might just have to roll with the punches. Just come here every day and take your time. It will fill the void and you do learn plenty.