WLS in Alberta

Hello Alberta, My name is Sim White, and I live in Vancouver, BC and have been on the waitlist for WLS for almost 2 years now. We only have 2 surgeons who are approved to do the WLS here and there is a waitlist of 600 names. Another surgeon started to take new patients as of this past summer and many of us were hopeful and excited. Well I had all my tests done and was ready to be called for WLS in early 2007 with him. Then in my 3rd consult with him I got a bomb shell dropped on me as I was told that he has not received approval to do the surgeries by the Coastal Helath Authority yet and they were in negotations and considering it. He told me to write letters to the Health Authorities, email them etc. You can read our struggles on the BC message board if you are curious. I have spent countless hours doing that and asking all the BC support groups to do the same and we are getting noticed. Anyway, to make a long story shorter, I have no co-morbidities yet but realize that it temporary and it won't be long before I start to have some. I already have pain in my lower back and knees, etc but the blood work, ultrasounds, scope all came back fine. I am going to apply for out of country in the next few weeks but here in BC only a handful of people get the approval for it and it is usually given to people who have major complications, and rightfully so. Therefore, I am anticipating that I won't get it so I have been researching where to go as I will probably have to self pay as I dont want to wait for several more years for the government here to wise up!!! I have been reading some of your posts about the surgeons in Alberta. Dr Davey, Dr. Farries in Red Deer, Dr. Nohr in Medicine Hat or Dr. Birch-....could not find the contact info on him? I am willing to self pay if I have too and I am wondering if any of these doctors do the laproscopic RNY and work at any private clinics/hospitals where they accept out of province patients who are willing to pay. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much Sim from Vancouver

Hi Sim. I am way up here in the Northwest Territories. I can share with you my experiences. The NWT health here will cover my lap band surgery in Alberta but the wait list for me is 3 years. I can't wait that long so like you, I decided to self-pay. I found a fabulous clinic in Toronto. My surgery is booked for Feb 2nd. From the time I called to my appointment, it was 6 weeks wait time. Very fast. But also expensive. It's around $16,000.00 not including your travel. I figure I am worth it. If you got to www.lapband.ca you will see this clinic and all your questions will pretty much be answered. You can even see the live surgery done laproscopically. It is really neat and safe too. So, I hope this help a bit. I did try all the doctors in Alberta. Calgary only does residents of Calgary, and like I said, the wait time for Edmonton was too long. Take care and let me know how you make out. Dawn

Wait lists in Alberta are 3-4 years. You'd probably be better off waiting for someone in BC.... or you could try Mexico since you mentioned self-pay. Sorry to sound discouraging.

Hey Sim I am going to Puerto Vallarta Feb 24th. This is the best option as I have been on the list with two Dr.s here in Edmonton for a year and haven't even had an appt. with them yet. The cost is 11000.00 for everything (air,hosp.,surgery and hotel) Went with a friend in Nov and loved it that was the clincher. Wouldn't have anyone here touch me now!!! Good luck Tracy

I would be very interested to hear what your experience has been with Dr. Joya. Also how did you decide on the gastric sleeve surgery rather than the lap band procedure? I have been looking at various options for treatment and it seems that the publicly funded surgery --whether Alberta or Ontario, is a very long wait list...especially for out of province people. Margaret

Hi Sim, I went to Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and had the Lap Band put in on Jan 12/07. So far I have had on problems. I got my surgery date on Nov 6/06 and the cost was $8000.00 Us and that included air fare, taxi to hospital, taxi to hotel and hotel say for two nights and the surgery of course. I was there longer because I went with a friend that had gastirc bypass and she had to stay in hospital and hotel longer. Hope this helps. Kathy K.

Hi Slim, My name is Renee Higa, I am a patient of Dr. Nohr's. I had gastric bypass back in October, 2006. I am not sure about coverage or if he takes patients that will pay. I do have a phone number and fax for you. Dr. Nohr's nurses name is Michelle, I 'm sure she would have answers for you. Phone: (403) 580-4610 Fax: (403) 580-4612 Hope this is helpful.

Hi Slim, I forgot to let you know that I was on a three year waiting list, but I was bale to get in fast! I phone Dr. Nohr's nurse, Michelle. I phoned her November, 2005. I told her that I would be available if there were any cancellations for a consultation. She offered me December 20, 2005, and February 8, 2006. I chose December, and I went to Medicine Hat. Dr. Nohr, set up my surgery date for October 16, 2006. If you let her know that you are available at any time, if there are cancellations for a consultation, you may be able to get in faster. Dr. Nohr would probably set your gastric bypass appointment the day of your consultation. Renee Higa