What is the wait time for surgery?

When planning weight loss surgery, you will work with your Surgeon Dr Wylie to choose a date which suits you best. Once you have considered all of the necessary planning steps below, most people are scheduled in their preferred week with Toowoomba Weight Loss Surgery, or within a week or two.

If you are researching surgery and thinking about timing, here are 5 things to consider. Many of these steps can be managed concurrently.

1. Pre-op investigations ~ 2-4 weeks Routine investigations include fasting blood tests. You may also need a gastroscopy and it can take a couple of weeks to get the first available appointment.
   

2. Pre-op consultations ~ 2-4 weeks In your initial consult you will discuss your medical history with the nurse and surgeon. If you are under the care of other specialist doctors, it is possible that you may also need to consult with them to discuss your suitability for surgery. You may need to wait a few weeks to get an appointment with other providers. The surgeon will also discuss a review with a psychologist prior to surgery.
   

3. Organising finance ~ 2-4 weeks Depending on how you plan to fund your surgery, you may need to allow time to organise finance. Finance like the early release of Superannuation can take a few weeks to prepare the application and submit, then there is the waiting time during the approval process.
   

4. Pre-op diet ~ 2 weeks Once you have completed any pre-op investigations and organised finance, you will be ready to start your pre-op diet. This is a very low calorie diet of shakes and vegetables (or replacement soups or bars) supplemented with protein and it is planned together with your dietitian.
   

5. Post-op planning Many people will need to consider the initial time after surgery, as the recovery time includes a period off driving and heavy lifting, plus the time to attend post-op appointments.

Considering the steps required, most people settle on a date which is at least 1-2 months in the future. Some people plan well in advance to maximise the healing time during holiday breaks. It is not uncommon for people to plan a year out and join Private Health working with the team for a full year prior to surgery.