First off I must confess I am a bit of a "control freak". However, my employer (a hospital), requires at least 3 months notice for any "elective" procedures needing time off. So I have inquired of my surgeon a couple times when I might expect to have surgery. The surgeon said I had many things to get done first before he would know when or if surgery could be done. Ok, I understand that. But since then I have asked the coordinator at his office, that since I have seen the pulmonologist, had the sleep study, met with the psych, and only have the cardiologist and 3 hour class left, could she give me a ballpark idea of when I might have surgery. She replied, not yet, as they needed clearance from all 3 MD's, completion of the class, and then approval from BCBS before they could schedule me.

Good Grief! I know there are steps to be taken, but surely they could APPROXIMATE how long the process SHOULD take! I just fear they will give me a date and I will not be able to take it as work will not allow me to be off.

It does make me laugh (a little), as it reminds me of many of my patients and their families (I'm a labor/delivery nurse) when they ask "when will the baby arrive?". I try to explain all the variables, and that we really have no way of knowing for sure. :-/

Patience is not one of my virtues, I suppose.

Completely understandable, I would be the same way! Best of luck for a speedy clearance!

I am having this issue too, I want to let my work know when I will need to take time off. When I asked when my surgery would be I was told 2-3 weeks, depending on how fast I can get my pre-tests done. Since I am a cash patient, it will go faster for me, but I want to start this new journey. I do not want to wait. Good luck with things.

Geez that is hard not to be able to make some type of plan, hope it works out soon.

Try letting your surgeon now about the work parameters. When I was scheduling my surgery, I let them know that I could do it between two certain dates, and if they couldn't work it out by then, I'd have to wait 4 months. This made them motivated, and they were able to "pencil" me into their schedule. Once I finished everything, it was confirmed and the "pencil" became "pen," I guess.

Try letting your surgeon know about the work parameters. When I was scheduling my surgery, I let them know that I could do it between two certain dates, and if they couldn't work it out by then, I'd have to wait 4 months. This made them motivated, and they were able to "pencil" me into their schedule. Once I finished everything, it was confirmed and the "pencil" became "pen," I guess.

Thanks, LindaS, that's a good idea, I will bring it up at my visit next week.

I was on a time table because my insurance was changing. They did work hard to get me in quickly (Which I super appreciated), but they were just as vague with the dates. Until every single thing was done they wouldn't give me even a tentative date to give work. I was freaking out quite a bit =p When they finally did call to schedule it ended up being your surgery is next Thursday, that's the only date we have available before your insurance changes. Thankfully I had let work know ahead of time that the scheduling of it was gonna be a little crazy and we were able to switch shifts around to make it work. I did have to work the day before surgery, which I was really hoping not to, but it worked out alright in the end =)