needs information on lap-ban surgery in calgary

I am new to this, I need to know if anyone has had the Lap-Ban surgery here in Calgary. Do I need a Doctor's refr? How long of a wait is it for this surgery? I have been looking into this for over 5 years now and want to get it done. I know that it is being done in RedDeer, Edm, and in MedicneHat, but the wait time are long. Can someone please help me. Thanks. Mary

Hi Mary, Well my journey started in October of 2005. That was seeing my family doctor and her making a referal for me to the Weight Wise Clinic in Edmonton. It was September 2006 when I finally got my first appointment date. I seen the dietian regularly for another 6 months before I seen Dr. Birch and he approved my lapband surgery, that was March 5/07. By March 15/07 once I had all of the prescreening tests done (blood work, lungs, stomach, EKG) I was given a date of April 10/07. This has been an incrediably long journey for me ... which is almost to it's end ... only to start a new beginning. If you are willing to pay for the lapband yourself, I have heard of several people going to Mexico to have it done - however, I am not sure which doctors in Alberta would do the fills for you. I know for sure that Dr. Davey does not. Good luck to you Monique

Hi Monique, Thankyou for getting back to me, I have just started this and already feel overwelmed.:-( I see that alot of people are ask to lose weight before the surgery, is this a common thing And how much weight do you have to lose. I been trying for over 10 years to lose weight and nothing seem to work. If I don't lose the weight they want off of me before surgery will it not be approved????:help: