During a hearing in the Court of Appeal in Brisbane on Tuesday, his lawyer Michael Woodford sought to have the November 3 appeal delisted.
The court was told the former Bundaberg surgeon may have to apply for legal aid to fund his appeal or represent himself.
Patel, 60, was sentenced on July 1 to seven years' jail for the manslaughter of three patients and causing grievous bodily harm to a fourth.
The charges related to Patel's time as director of surgery at Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005.
Mr Woodford said his client was content with the decision to delay the appeal while funding issues were worked out.
He said a change in legal representation would be difficult for Patel.
"No counsel will be able to get on top of this (three-month trial) in the space of a month," he said.
Justice Margaret McMurdo said the court was inconvenienced by the delay because the matter had three days assigned to it and appeal justices had accommodated it in their schedules.
The appeal has now been set down for early next year, on a date to be fixed.
Patel will appear in court for a mention on October 15 if a solution is not found in the meantime.
