I decided to complain! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Hychap2009 · 09-10-2009, 07:50 AM

Some of you may have already been following my epic saga on my other thread.

Brief summary: I've been on the waiting list since 23rd Jan. '09 and was told I'd have to wait 4 months. That led to present time and I'm still pre-op. It took me a while to get my head around the decision to go ahead with surgery, thanks to this site really. I spent the past 9 months preparing, buying up things that I will need etc.

I called again today and was told that I have not been given a date yet, I've had my pre-assessment; done all that's been asked of me, yet still no date. The admissions person said that the surgeon has not given me a date - neither an explaination or no feedback as to what is happening. I'm so fed up. So today I took the step of consulting with the patients liaison dept. to see if I could get some intervention on my behalf - to find out what the hell is going on. I explained that my life has been on hold and that I'd been told a number of different things which has left me in limbo. Anyway, the person I spoke to is going to call me back later or early tomorrow. Lets see where we go from here. I was a little dubious about making a formal complaint as I didn't want to get the back up of the person with a scalpal in their hands, left to their mercy. lol. Seriously!.

Josephine · 09-10-2009, 08:06 AM

I hope this gets you some help sweetheart! I have the same problem.
Been waiting 14 months. I finally got scheduled for Sept 7th and spent 5 days shaking from my body being so excited. Went in and got half way thru the process and he comes in and says he can't do it without the other surgeon and he had called in sick. I'm heartbroken. I meet with him Sept 21 and we're gonna have a chat and then look at both of their calendars and mark me for the first open spot they're both free. I hope it's sometime in Sept or October or I'm just gonna lose my mind!!!

I hope you have more success than me Hyacinth.

Hychap2009 · 09-10-2009, 09:13 AM

OMD's I don't know how I'd cope with that. Bring you to the brink and than ......

I'm trying to be strong about everything, as I explained to the liaison person this whole thing has had a major impact on my life already, I feel like i'm in limbo, Ive put everything on hold in anticipation of my surgery. I'm not nuts, my expectations were based on what they (the hospital) had told me. So what's gone wrong, God alone knows.

So I'm waiting in anticipation to see what happens next. I feel as if they've forgotten me.

By the way, why do they need to have a chat with you. Shouldn't they just co-ordinate and reschedule you're surgery, then send you a date.

Anyway, heres wishing you the best of luck. Lets see how we go.

Thanks for responding. Sometimes I wonder if anyone even listening to me.

Josephine · 09-10-2009, 09:30 AM

I have the same question. Why does he want to have a chat with me first?

I think maybe there's still a question about which surgery to choose.

I wanted the duodenal switch but he talked me into the RNY and I agreed. So I'm not sure? Everyone kept asking which surgery I was having cause both were on the chart.

There's also the issue of the rape/weightgain psychological issue.

I think he just wants to make sure we're on the same page before we do this, but damn I wish they'd go ahead and schedule it and THEN have the chat. It wouldn't even matter except this lapband is inside of me wreaking havoc on my nervous system!

poet_kelly · 09-10-2009, 09:53 AM

Hychap, I think you did the right thing. It's ridiculous for them to tell you four months and then put it off so long and not even give you a reason why. Of course you feel like your life is on hold.

Kelly

gooberific · 09-10-2009, 04:08 PM

I would've been complaining the day after the four months were up. I could have been cleared for surgery a month sooner if my PCP's office hadn't screwed up a fax. I called every other day, and then finally every day, until I was calling twice a day and lo and behold it was sent -- got my ct scan on my chest, got my clearance, scheduled.

And, might I add, the whole thing would have taken much less time had they listened to me about what my insurances would cover and what they wouldn't. In my case, it's not the doctor's fault, but his staff. I'm glad I'm scheduled now, though.

I don't know how you do it, Hychap. I'd go crazy. If you don't hear back by noon, I would call them again saying, "Hey, you were supposed to call me, and I might be a little anxious, but do you know anything?" I can't tell you how many places I've called with those exact words over the years.

Good luck. I'll keep positive thoughts for you.

Hychap2009 · 09-10-2009, 04:23 PM

Thank you so much folks. Good to know you're out there and listening. lol

Around 3pm today I got a call back from the head of admissions. She said she was looking into things for me. She has spoken to the Surgeons specialist nurse and they are seeking a date to schedule me for sometime towards the end of this month or early October. She will be calling me either tomorrow or when she returns from leave on the 21st. She will have a date for me then. In the meantime, they will be calling me back in again for a pre-assessment to take my bloods again as the last pre-assessment date was July 3rd. At least that some information - I can see the light. However, it did give me a belly flip of nerves. I'm guessing I'm going to feel so nervous once i get the date.

poet_kelly · 09-10-2009, 07:00 PM

Well, I really, really hope she calls you tomorrow so you don't have to wait until the 21st! I'm sure you will be really nervous when you get the date, but that's normal.

Kelly

hollycerniglia · 09-10-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

I hope this gets you some help sweetheart! I have the same problem.
Been waiting 14 months. I finally got scheduled for Sept 7th and spent 5 days shaking from my body being so excited. Went in and got half way thru the process and he comes in and says he can't do it without the other surgeon and he had called in sick. I'm heartbroken. I meet with him Sept 21 and we're gonna have a chat and then look at both of their calendars and mark me for the first open spot they're both free. I hope it's sometime in Sept or October or I'm just gonna lose my mind!!!

I hope you have more success than me Hyacinth.

So sorry to hear that. I hope you get a date soon.

Josephine · 09-11-2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hychap2009

Thank you so much folks. Good to know you're out there and listening. lol

Around 3pm today I got a call back from the head of admissions. She said she was looking into things for me. She has spoken to the Surgeons specialist nurse and they are seeking a date to schedule me for sometime towards the end of this month or early October. She will be calling me either tomorrow or when she returns from leave on the 21st. She will have a date for me then. In the meantime, they will be calling me back in again for a pre-assessment to take my bloods again as the last pre-assessment date was July 3rd. At least that some information - I can see the light. However, it did give me a belly flip of nerves. I'm guessing I'm going to feel so nervous once i get the date.

Hey sweetie. Late Sept/Early Oct is what I'm wishing for too. Wouldn't it be hilarious if we had the same date after how long we've waited? LOL Do you have a backup buddy in case you and I are in the hospital around the same time?