Waiting time?

[Ines4C]

I know that different regions handle things differently, but on average, how long do people have to wait between being referred to the surgeons and the actual operation? Six months, or less, or more? I am not a patient person, and can't wait for this new lease on life. I know preparation is vital, but I was just wondering. Ines X

 

[mariew]

From asking my GP to getting my op was EXACTLY 2 years.

 

[Lush121]

Same here, I waited two years on the NHS in south London. I think it depends on where you are referred to / from, whether you are NHS or private, and without those kind of details I am not sure you are going to get many helpful answers.

 

[Ines4C]

Well, I had to go to a weight loss clinic first, to lose 10% of my body weight. I was referred to the surgeons from there. Is that similar to you guys or did your GP directly refer you to the surgeons?

 

[Bellydancer57]

For me exactly 1 year from GP refers until op. but my pal waited 2 1/2 years at same hospital surgeon as she was in a different PCT from me. Post code lottery at work!

 

[chillie]

I got referred by my gp in march this year got my op on nov 29th at Chelsea and Westminster.

 

[beckers]

I was first seen in January 2011 and I only just saw the surgeon on Tuesday so it's nearly 2 years for me so far. I'm under Coventry hospital but I'm in Northants pct area so again, the postcode thing seems to be coming in to play.

 

[Paul-H]

Hi

I was really lucky, from referral to first appointment was 4 weeks and from first appointment to surgery was on 12 weeks so 16 weeks in total.

Mind you that was the second referral, the first one had a 2 year waiting list so no wonder I was given the chance to move hospitals.

Paul

 

[Ines4C]

Is it normal to be impatient for it to keep going? I can hardly think of anything else lately.

 

[tealovingsleever]

St George's south London. Referral sept 2010 surgery July 2012!!

 

[tealovingsleever]

You'll drive yourself nuts waiting. I had forgotten all about it when I got my final appointments and the call for surgery.

 

[Bellydancer57]

My poor pal was refered 6 months before me yet had a 2 year wait for her funding. I am now 8 months head of her. Different NHS trust but same hospital! Thankfully she has a date for December.

 

[Ines4C]

Wow, looks like there is a lot of difference between hospitals. All I know is that they referred me to the surgeons, but I'm not sure how long it will be between my first surgeon appointment and the actual operation.

 

[carebear1]

Yeah im getting impatient too because my BP has been so high and not controlled recently but i'm concentrating on dieting as that will help bring it down until I have my surgery hopefully Jan next year. In Feb it will be 2 yrs since my first referral to Homerton hospital

 

[Ines4C]

Sorry to hear that. I can't really complain then ... I haven't had to wait long at all yet. I just hope the biggest waiting time isn't still in front of me ...

 

[Bellydancer57]

Yeah im getting impatient too because my BP has been so high and not controlled recently but i'm concentrating on dieting as that will help bring it down until I have my surgery hopefully Jan next year. In Feb it will be 2 yrs since my first referral to Homerton hospital

That's like my pal but I only had to wait exactly 1 year from GP referral. She had many more co morbities than me. We are t the Homerton too. Mr Mannur did my sleeve. He is my hero.

 

[Slimmingnix]

Hi Ines4C,
Have a look at my details below for my waiting times/dates.
Just to add, I was expecting at least 18 months from start to finish, and was also told at my first "group" meeting that I should not expect to hear from them for about a year! So it was shock to get a letter with the various appointments!
When I met with the surgeon, he did say that the criteria for NHS funding was being made stricter, which meant less people on the waiting list. Also, St Georges were sending some patients to St Anthonys to try reduce the length of the waiting list. As a result, the waiting time at St Georges is (apparently) getting shorter.

Of course though, as you already know, each hospital, trust/district is different.

Good Luck,
SNx

BTW, whilst the wait has been agonising, it has actually gone really quickly!

 

[tealovingsleever]

I was done at st Anthony's via st George's. still took nearly 2 years.

 

[JenniJJ]

I started the process with my GP Jan 2011. Got referred to ChelWest Mar 2011. 1st appt at ChelWest Jan 2012. Operation 23 Aug. Yes this process can be very frustrating but hang on in there and don't let anything get in your way.

 

[Ines4C]

Thanks. Well I have been in the system since april and have now been referred to the actual surgeon, so waiting for the first appointment. They say once I'm approved they'd operate within 18 weeks here ... so, hopefully it won't be too long. Thanks for the encouragement.