how long is the wait after the first app.

Hi, I am just starting the process to having Lap band surgery. I have had my doctor do the referral 9 mths ago and I have checked with the bariatric clinic and they have informed me that I will be called for my first appointment with the Registered nurse or dietitian in April 2007. I am just wondering if anyone knows how long after the appointment process is started until the actual surgery time if one is a successful candidate. I have heard that it may be one year after the original appointment if all conditions are met. I would love to chat with anyone who has had the lap band done and could give me some info on tests needed prior to surgery and what the post op period is like. Thanks so much.

Hi Nancy: I was banded on the 08-01-06 and i had my first consult at the end of Aug 05 so it was 11 months from start till banding. You might start by keeping a food diary....just keep track of what you eat per day. You need to do this to keep Carlene ( she is the nut and a sweetheart) happy. I think I meet with Kathy for my first consult... she is the head nurse and another sweetheart. Come to think of it, there just a great bunch at the clinic. There is the band board on OH that is active and has lots of info but there is some difference on how Dr. Davey does things and how they do things in the states. As well check out Pams post about the support group in Edmonton. I,ve gone to the last 2 mettings and found the support to be great.... I was the only bandster but all WLS has simaliar issues and it is a great place to get support and friendship. Good luck and April is just around the corner. Terry

Hi Terry Could you tell me if this was covered through Alberta Health Care? Cindy

hi this is myrna.... all of this is covered by albeta health.. with the excetion of the opti fast drink.. appprox 140.00 for 2 weeks...i am going throught he living well program that calgary health region offers.. and the finalk result.. lap banding... our class has an invitation to meet with the surgeon for a 2 hour q/a session next week.. am looking forward to that.. anyone wish to be a lap banding buddy... male or female.. for support and more support..... give me a note..mm

thanks for the information can anyone go to the 2 hour q/a? any idea how overweight a person has to be to get this surgery? Cindy

Hi Myrna ..... Yes Cindy everything was covered by health care. I didn't take a drink sup so had no extra cost other than many trips to Edmonton @600km/trip. Myna.... Was the opti fast drink for a pre-op diet? Terry

Thanks Terry Just another quick quesiton for you, do I need a referral by my family Dr?

As far as i know you have to be referred. I was. If your even thinking about WLS get your family doc to put in a referral as the wait period can be fairly long. You can use this time to gather info and mentaly get ready. If it is lap band that your interested in your option of clinics are less than the RNY clinics, there was only the edmonton clinic when i started my journy. It sounds like Calgary is starting up a clinic that might include lap band. Maybe Myrna can shed some light on this. From her post i gathered that was calgary but not sure. There was some posting about calgary on the yahoo westcan board awhile ago. It would be worth checking out as the waiting list might be shorter. Sorry Nancy for hijacking your thread.

hi terry.. thanx for the reply.. i am on my journey for lap banding.. sure is a process... they said in our class that 2 weeks on the optifast drink will shrink the liver which makes surgery easier... i found out it is only available iin australi so now i am trying to find out where i can get it here.... any ideas out there... thanx myrna mathews