Question to Canadians about wait times for surgery.

I was wondering what wait times have been like for fellow Canadians for getting a surgery date and the time between the getting the date and having the surgery? My doctor's receptionist said something along 4-5 months to just get the date, but after reading a lot of posts here, that doesn't seem right. Also I don't know if I can handle being in this state for 5 months just waiting for a time and then finding it is going to be another few months down the road. I'm really hoping I heard her wrong (I was in a bit of shock when I walked out of his office) and I have another appointment on the 16th that hopefully I'll be able to address my concerns.

I suffer from extremely long periods. The most recent one (that I am still on) started on 02/17/11 and the one before that went from 09/14/10 - 02/12/11. Yep, that's right... only five days off my period in over 6 months. They can not seem to get it to stop for longer than a few days. The sad thing is, this is the shortest one I've had in almost 4 years, the longest being 10 months and a hospital stay. Before this, I would have a period every 3-4 months for 2 weeks and live in a bathroom. I just want this over with so I can go on with my life.

Hi Aille - I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. I am from the BC interior. I seemed to encounter a wide range of suggested wait times, depending on the surgeon (I sought three opinions). In my first consult, the surgeon seemed quite happy to get me on the table within a month but I was not comfortable with his approach and so I passed on the unusually quick turnaround. I went to a surgeon in Burnaby who at the time said his wait list was indefinite due to the Olympics/media and all OR time being dedicated to non-elective surgery, so that's out of the norm obviously. To skip forward, when I did finally receive my surgery date, it was a 9 week wait. However, it was abit unusual because the surgeon was coming from out of town and they had to sort out equipment needs etc.

So I didn't really help much, did I?! Have you had more than one opinion? Because there is a range of wait times between doctors and hospitals, you might be able to find a shorter wait list with a different surgeon, but then it can be a toss up between skill and wait list.

Has anyone talked to you about Cyklocapron/tranexamic acid? It worked wonders for me but I had a more defined cycle (I bled most of each month, but I did actually stop bleeding each and every month). It might be worth asking about in the event that it would be suitable for your symptoms. It is relatively new and not all surgeons seem to be aware of it.

Wishing you the very best. Keep pushing for answers and being your own best advocate. Make sure that whoever you talk to/consult with knows how serious your bleeding is. Don't assume they have read your full file. Hang in there!

I am in Northern Ontario and my doctor told me that due to the size of my fibroid and its rate of growth, he would put me on the priority list so the wait for my surgery from the time I decided with him to do this was one month. I had to wait three months to get in to see him, another month to see another gyno to get told I did not qualify for the focused ultrasound with MRI so I had to go back to the first Gyno for the surgery. That second visit to the first Gyno was only a few days wait because I freaked on the second guy about the medical system and the ridiculous waits. I was not about to be told that I had to wait another month to see the first Gyno. It was also helpful that they shared a receptionist. To be honest, I think I scared the second guy with my tone and attitude. LOL

I am in Alberta, my first referral for a gyne took 6 months then I was bumped back another 3 months. I found another dr. I saw the specialist in 1 month and after my tests were complete my apt was booked right away, the wait is 7 weeks. Had I not found another Dr I probably would have still been waiting. Personally although nervous I just want to get rid of my stupid fibroids which cause me grief, sever bleeding and so much pain.....

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Originally Posted by fire Has anyone talked to you about Cyklocapron/tranexamic acid? It worked wonders for me but I had a more defined cycle (I bled most of each month, but I did actually stop bleeding each and every month). It might be worth asking about in the event that it would be suitable for your symptoms. It is relatively new and not all surgeons seem to be aware of it.

Thank you all for answering. I don't feel so bad about the wait times now, knowing it seems to be at least a couple of months.

I've never heard of Cyklocapron/tranexamic acid. I'll look into it, thank you.

I've never had a defined cycle, even when I was on the pill, which my took me off of due to it causing depression. Actually, the only thing that ever worked for me, was the highest estragin pill, and that's no longer made any more. However, it was the one that put me into a depression spiral, which hasn't been a problem since I was taken off them.

I've had 3 Hystorscopy/LAP/DNC, I was told that I had an adnormally thick lining, scaring in my tubes and uterus. I was told after my first one at 19, never to expect to be able to carry a child to term. My internal just wanted me to get an IUD, saying that should stop the extra bleeding. When I brought that up with the GYN, he was quite insistant that it wouldn't work for me due to the fact that he had problems doing a more invasive exam in the office (they've always had to use the smallest speculam) and he didn't feel that they would be able to get it to sit properly.

I know my GYN is very busy, I'm an exsisting patient of his, and I have to make my appointments 3 months in advance to see him. I'm going back in on the 16th to have a scope done, fastest I've ever been able to get an appointment with him. There is a posibility that depending on what he see's next Wednesday, my surgery may be prioritized.

I remember my original referal took 6 months before I was able to get into see him. I'm kind of scared that if I want to get a second opinion on surgery time, it would just push this back even further. I am not worried about the surgery, more about the recovery afterwards. I'm more than ready to have this finished. I'll be so glad to not have to buy the 100 packs of tampons every 20-25 days sepending on my flow. To not always be cramping because my body is still having a full cycle, but never finishing fully. To not suffer a gush while working (thank goodness my uniform is black pants, I can soak through a heavy tampon & a pad in just a couple of hours when my period peaks). No more ER trips & having to have transfusions because my blood count has dropped too low again & passing out at work or home. No more missing work because I've been put on bed rest. Yeah, I'm more than ready to have this over and done with.

I feel I should say in my doctor's defence, he gave me a choice of having a hydrothermal ablation. Which he felt would only have a 50% chance of working. He'd put me on a hormonal treatment 2 years ago, which didn't work & since I had already been on oral, shot & patch birth control, none of which worked. He'd also wanted to see me lose weight, to see if that would make any difference. I've lost almost 90 pounds & if anything, I bleed more. I really happy about the weight loss, but not about the extra bleeding.

My DH has been wonderful through all of this. He's put up with a lot (and very little) in the past 3 years. He's supporting my decision & I'm glad to have him in my life.

I admire your strength and courage. You definitely need to take care of you.

My doc finally agreed that surgery was my last option, I was booked the next week, surgery is on Thursday. I'm in Nova Scotia.

Take care you! You are such a strong person and you made it through so much you will get through this too.

It took me 3 months to get in to see my Dr and he booked surgery last week and said to expect 4-5 month wait, probably closer to the 5 as summer is coming and they lose operating time over the summer. He said if I start to miss work due to my issues to let him know and the surgery would be completed within 8 weeks. Good luck to everyone!

Hi I am from Ontario and have had many, many gyno surgeries. They always give me a date for a few months off. I always asked to be put on the wait list and always stress that I will come anytime. Every surgery I have been called to come much earlier, usually within a few weeks. As well I agreed to do the LAVH as a day patient and that got me in much sooner. It is the lack of hospital beds that cause the waits sometimes. When I first had my gyno appointment it was many months off. I just called and said I really did not feel I can wait and they took me. I find in Canada if you speak up it sometimes works. Good Luck to you.