Lurker newbie with a question

Hi!  My name is Shana and I have been lurking for a while getting to "know" some of you. I am ready to move forward with my surgery, but the surgeon's office keeps stalling. I chose a high-profile surgeon in the Dallas area who comes highly recommended. I have been working on this since January. I am cash pay, and I still can't get scheduled. When I do get scheduled they are booked until May. I know insurance issues can cause delay, but that is not the case with me. I know none of you can help me fight their office policy. Just venting I think. Any thoughts or experience?  Thanks!

Believe it or not May is pretty quick...many Drs for their own peace of mind

will have you do heart and lung tests and an endoscope, and these test take time to get done..

so you'll need the 2 months just to get them scheduled and results read.

The surgeon I am most likely using makes you go through a 6 month to 2 year process before they will do surgery. They make sure you are ready physically and mentally for the change.

Have you considered going to Mexico? I've read posts from many people on here who have gone to Mexico to have their surgery and had really good experiences. From what I've read the scheduling of surgery happens much faster.

This is mid march already, so May is only 6 weeks away.  You'll have some prep work to do before surgery to make sure your heart is strong, and there are no surprises when they do the surgery.  I'd suggest relaxing and enjoying the ride.  You'll be in surgery before you know it, and losing weight soon after. 

best of luck,

Carol

If your doctor is high-profile, his/her patient load is high, therefore it's going to be tough to get scheduled, cash pay or not.  I started my process last January and didn't have surgery until July 2013.

Thank you all!  I appreciate your feedback. It helped me put things in perspective!

First I would ask you, are they stalling about seeing you for the first appointment or for scheduling surgery?  If you haven't even seen him and they are stalling the first appt., I would find another surgeon.  If you have seen him and they are stalling surgery, I would find out why.  Has he said he doesn't think you are a candidate, or ready for surgery?

I chose my surgeon for lap band based on his "reputation" as an excellent surgeon.  He was great, until the aftercare started.  Then I hardly ever saw him, only his nurses.  In the end when I had had an emergency one night, his "aftercare" is why I quit him and walked out.

Just as a man or woman is only what they truly are, the same with surgeons.  They might have a stellar reputation but stink when reality sets in.

Find out WHY you are being stalled and then address it accordingly.  But make sure before you do that, that you are ready for this surgery.  Good luck!