2 month wait for hip replacement

[gypsyman]

 Trying to figure out why, a 2 month delay for a hip replacement. Started when I got x-rays done in February, missed an appointment with the surgeon because of weather, not for the surgery, just a consultation. Then another because I was suppose to have a clearance signed by a dentist for no teeth infections, my regular dentist wouldn't pull one, and had to chase around to get a tooth pulled and cleared. Just today, sat down with the surgeon, and found out, they can't get me in till the end of June. The 29 to be exact. What the HELL, 2 months for what is now, a mostly outpatient surgery.
 I had my right one done in 2012, don't think I waited more than a week-10 days. In on a Monday, out on Wednesday. Talked with several guys that have had one recently, operate in the morning, if everything looks good, heading home the same day. Are that that many of us ''old boomers'' needing hips, knees and shoulders fixed now? Or has bureaucracy and paper work taken the place of actually caring for people?

[Lloyd Smale]

tons of surgerys. some fast and some SLOW to come. back and orthopedic surgeons i use now work out of the same office and give me frequent flier priority. i seldom wait more than a week and never more than two. id tell them politely that if i have to wait 2 months im going doctor shopping!

[DDZ]

Probably a combination of things. Still a surgery backlog created by covid when thousands of surgeries were canceled. Population getting older and higher demand. Shortages in staffing, especially nurses. I have heard of many other people with long wait times not only for surgeries, but for certain doctor visits also.   

[quickdtoo]

I'd be half way there is I only had to wait 2 months, still have an expected 5-7 months.

[gypsyman]

I'd be half way there is I only had to wait 2 months, still have an expected 5-7 months.

 
 Going to call a different hospital, talked with a friend of mine and he said they were pretty quick. But a 3 hour drive, worth it if they can get it done in the next 2-3 weeks. Talked with my insurance guy yesterday after I put the post up. Told me that's pretty typical with what's happening, and there are a lot more knees, shoulders and hips getting replaced just because of the demographics of the population. Will find out Monday.

[quickdtoo]

I'm praying for your quick resolution, best of luck getting it done ASAP!

On the bright side, I'll get my knee done just after fall salmon and steelhead season, and be all healed up, hopefully, by spring turkey season. My 82yr old huntin and fishin partner had shoulder and knee surgery a few years ago, both times he waited 6-9 month, guess that's just the way it is for Kaiser members.  They did fit me with a $900 OA knee brace in the mean time, my cost was $68, helps a little, so far, hopefully more as I get used to it.

[Lloyd Smale]

good thing is ive had an ankle, knee and 2 hips relaced and the hips were hands down the easiest recovery. ankle was hands down the worse

[Ranger99]

Neighbor in one of the section 8's had some kind
of something whittled on after about a 3 week wait.

I can only guess that the extreme delays are to
see if the old people pass before having to spend
money on a surgery for them.
I've seen several close friends and family that
were debilitated from delaying proper medical
care when they would have recovered more
completely and quickly with timely care