Stopping to say Hi

I'm new to this site and wanted to stop and say Hi. I am doing research on weightloss surgery. I have been over weight all my life and not is not any different. I too have tried all kinds of diets and joined many diferent gyms. I loose some weight and then my life gets hectic and I gain it all back plus a few extra. I'm thinking about the surgery but know my doctor has old school mentality and keeps telling me to eat better and excersise. My mom tells me to start smoking thats how she lost alot of weight. Well I refuse to start smoking and I have tried eating healthy since I was 15 and I do excersise when I have time. I live in Camrose Alberta and would need for alberta health care to cover it. How should I go about getting started? Anywho Nice to meet you all. Chrissy

Chrissy, To get the process going you need your family Dr to refer you for a consult with one of these Drs. Dr. Carl Nohr, M.D. 770- 6th Street SW Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4J6 Bus. (403) 527-2281 Fax (403) 527-4177 Procedures: RNY, Panniculectomy Dr Davey 10155- 120th St NW Edmonton Alberta T5K 2A2 Telephone: 780-482-7551 Fax: 780-488-2056 Procedures: RNY (Open and Laparoscopic), LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System Dr. Lawrence Farries 5201- 43rd St Suite 279 Red Deer, Alberta T4N 1C7 Telephone: 403-347-9037 Procedure: RNY They decide if you qualify for the surgery or not. That is it. AB health care pays for everything if they say you need it. You have to have a BM of 40%. Dr Farries has the shortest waiting times. Dr Nohr I believe has the longest at 4 yrs last I checked. Dr Davies is a little shorter. You can always get the referal and call every week for a cancellation. That has worked for alot of people and they get in in 6 months. Always an option. I see Dr Farries and will have my surgery in the fall. If you have any other questions just ask. Paula, in Lacombe

Just a quick question is there a referal form that my family doctor needs for Dr. Farries, if so where can I get it. Have you had your surgery yet, if so how did it go. Good results? Just starting on this so any info is greatly appreciated Thanks BJ of Airdrie

I really can't tell you if there is a form I have never heard of one. If there is his office would fax it when your Drs office calls to book. I had my surgery Sept 20th . Everything went well and I have lost 40pds. Paula

Thanks for the info, I greatly appreciate it. Was there a long wait list for the surgery for you. And is there follow up appointment that you have to do. Bj

My first appointment was in Nov 05 I had surgery Sept 06. My refferal was called in May 05. He has a 2 week follow up for those close enough or 4 weeks if you are far away. Then a 3 month after your first follow up , then a year I believe. Again he is a great Dr. I actually am having gas pain issues that have found me in the emergency room at 4 am in horrible pain so I am seeing him tommorow. I think it is nothing but I want to be sure. Hope that you do not get gas pains they are HORRIBLE ! Paula

Hi paula thanks for gettintg back to me. Sorry to hear about your pain. Hope it works itself out for you. Keep in touch, with your weight loss. BJH

Hey Chrissy, Here is a response that I had posted to a similar question. I had the lap band surgery btw... I'm not sure how far you've gotten or where you've planned to do your surgery. I just thought I'd give you the listing of the doctors that are doing it in Alberta right now if you'd like. You can do the further research on each of them afterwards. I know that some people have opinions on them, and if you read through all of the posts on this Alberta board you will find what people have to say about them. I didn't have my surgery done here, I had it done in Mexico and my follow up here, so I can't comment on them. I do go to Dr. Mitchell for my follow up however, and I find him to be great. Here are the doctors in Alberta doing bariatric surgeries of sorts, you can call there offices as to specifics of what types and waiting time and so on. Dr. Davey and/or Dr. Birch - 1-403-735-5620 they work together in Edmonton, and Dr. Davey does it through Bonnyville as well, which I hear is a shorter wait. Medicine Hat Dr. Nohr 1-403-502-8936 Red Deer - Dr. Farries - 1-403-347-9037 Calgary - Dr. Phillip Mitchell - 1-403-264-6720 (lap band) Happy to help, I know what it's like to begin the search. Brenda

Thanks for all the help, I'll ask my Dr again for a referral but I feel like I'm up against a brick wall with this one. I have a BMI of 42 and no help problem as of yet. Just being over weight. Thanks for the info I'll do my research as best I can. What would you say is the average wait time from start to finish. What should I do if my Dr won't give me a referral? Can you see another Dr. to get one? My Dr is in Edmonton but I could try to see one in camrose. Thanks again everyone for the info and support. Chrissy

The average wait time is 3 years I would guess. I see Dr Farries he is the shortest. I saw him initially in November and I am still waiting for a date. He only opens his booking up May 1st and fills his appointments for the year. The others I can only speculate. Another good web site for this kind of information is http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ossg-westcan/ you have to join, it is worth it. Lots of Nohr and Davies patients there and it is pretty active. I would see another Dr. Any Dr can refer you for surgery. Paula