THR Waiting for call from scheduler

[Salvia]

Hi, I’m new here. This looks like a great place!
I just met with my third Orthopedic surgeon last Tuesday. (Ive been doctor shopping, and a coworker raved about how great this surgeon and his team are.) The surgeon told me I not only I have bone on bone arthritis in my right hip, the other doctors told me that too) but it’s to the point of causing holes in my bone, and needs surgery sooner rather than later, preferably within six months, or the surgery would be more complicated. (The other doctors did not tell me that, but it’s been over 6 months since I’ve seen a doctor the last doctor,) This last surgeon is booking two months out. He handed me the phone numbers for his team and told me to call his scheduler that day. Oddly, the woman taking payment said the scheduler would be calling me in a couple of days, and I wouldn’t need to call her. I was confused, but decided to go ahead and call her anyway because the doctor told me to. The message on her machine gave the usual message that if you call her after 4:00 she won’t get back to you until the next day. I called just before noon. Her message also said to only call her once, and repeated calls would only delay a return call. (In other words, she’ll move you to the end of the line!)
So, long story longer, I haven’t heard back from her. I’m beginning to wonder if when he said he’s scheduling two months out that it’ll be two months before I get a call back from the scheduler.
Is it typical for it to take several days or longer before a scheduler returns your call? I’m scared to call her back. But I’m wondering if I made some kind of mistake on my message. How do I plan if I have no idea when she’ll even call me back to schedule the surgery? Or if she’ll call me at all? Thanks to anyone that stayed with me through my ramblings!

 

[djklaugh]

@Salvia This being a holiday weekend with Monday being the day-off-from-work for most people in the US, I suspect you will not hear from the scheduler until at least Tuesday 9/6. It sure is annoying and nerve wracking to have to wait to get things like much needed surgery scheduled! A surgical scheduler's job, though, is not just putting a patient's name into a slot on the doctor's schedule ... she/he also has to coordinate with the hospital to be sure the correct operating room is available and made ready, that the surgical team is all available including the anesthesiologist. And making sure lots of i's are dotted and lots of t's are crossed. So for now try to relax and do something fun for your self. And do feel free to read threads here and also over in the post-op section to see how others have managed this life changing surgery. And here are some articles you may find helpful.



Hip: pre-surgery considerations

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:


Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic hip?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:


Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced hip, take a look at the posts and threads in stories of amazing hip recoveries

 

[Layla]

Hello and welcome! Thanks for joining us.
My surgeon was also booking two months out when I scheduled my surgery, but your experience is very different than mine. My OS's scheduler suggested a date for surgery and I took it. I guess I'm not 100% clear when you phoned the office, but if it was last Tuesday after your appointment and you don't hear back from the scheduler by Tuesday this week when offices re-open after the holiday, I don't think there is anything wrong with checking back with them. Let us know when you get a date and a signature will be created for you.
Have a good week!
@Salvia

 

[Salvia]

Thanks for your replies and for the links, Djklaugh and Layla! Yes, it was last Tuesday, August 30th, when I called. I think I’ll wait, and if I don’t hear from her by the end of Wednesday, I’ll call the main office on Thursday and ask how long I should expect it to take for her to call. I’ll also ask my coworker that recommended the joint how long he waited for a call back. (pun intended )

In the meantime, I am looking forward to reading the articles and about everyone’s experiences.

 

[Zoebichon]

My OS said he was booking 4 to 5 months out. This was last November. They had gotten very behind due to Covid. Then, in February, once again our governor put a one month moratorium on elective surgeries, pushing me out yet another month!

I was told the scheduler would call me with the date 6 to 8 weeks before my surgery date. I heard nothing for months and I did call them to make sure I was still on their list. And I was.

Eventually, I did get the coveted call and I was so happy! The months of waiting just for the surgery date were hard! Their was so much I wanted to get done but I seemed frozen with inaction. Once I got my date, I was truly energized and sprung into action!

I do hope you get your call soon. It’s just the best thing - like, this is really going to happen!

 

[Salvia]

Wow, how frustrating for you! Thanks for sharing your experience. It helps me realize that I just have to be a patient patient and know that I will get the call.

 

[Salvia]

I called again this morning and she returned my call promptly this time. I have a date! I’ll be a scary patient on Halloween! I’m scheduled for October 31st. Yay!