A Montrealer has been waiting impatiently for bariatric surgery for more than four years, a maddening situation especially since she has been kept in the dark about the delays.

"It's very frustrating not knowing where you are on the waiting list," laments Jessica Bonilla.

Obese for several years, the 25-year-old woman registered for bariatric surgery in September 2017 at Sacré-Coeur Hospital in Montreal. At the time, she was looking for any means to lose weight, but the diets never worked.

More than four years later, the woman who weighs 287 pounds (130 kilos) still does not know when she will have surgery. Last Tuesday, his surgeon finally told him that the long-awaited operation should take place within the next three months.

"I'm really happy! Admits the young woman. The doctor was surprised by the wait in my file. She rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah, it's been a long time!"

After a first pre-surgery group meeting in 2019, Ms. Bonilla met her surgeon in September 2020.

"I was hoping at the time that it wouldn't be too long," says the customer service employee at Hydro-Québec. But, it is so vague as information. Even when we ask, each case is different, each delay is relative. It's hard to get an estimate!"

WE DON'T TELL HIM ANYTHING

In fact, she was told that the official waiting period begins after meeting with the surgeon, and that it is “about two years”.

Moreover, the woman regrets that patients are not informed from the start of such a long wait, and that the delay varies according to the hospital.

“I see people who have been waiting for less time, and who are operated on elsewhere, she laments. What are the criteria for deadlines?

"It's very, very frustrating not to be informed of the options you have to go to another hospital," she says.

TOO EXPENSIVE IN PRIVATE

Without a family doctor, the asthmatic woman worries about the impact of her weight on her health.

“I have no idea if I have sleep apnea,” says the young woman, who cannot afford to pay more than $10,000 for private surgery.

Despite everything, she remains convinced that this surgery is the right thing to do for her future.

“It will really change my lifestyle and eating habits. It will help me permanently to keep a good weight”, assures the one who hopes to be operated on in the coming weeks.