Confused as to Why

Hi I am wondering why a Doctor may turn you down for Gastric By Pass for having to high of a BMI. Is the whole point of having the surgery to help those who need it? I have seen shows where the people are not able to walk or get out of bed and they have surgery. I am scheduled to see Dr Norh in a few weeks. Do any of you know any other Dr in Alberta that do this type of surgery? Thanks

Dr. Davey and Dr. Birch both do gastric bypass out of the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. You would need to get a referral to their Weight Wise Program. It's a bit of a long process though. It took about a year from my referral date until my initial consultation and then it can take another 9 months - 1 year until surgery. They do make you lose weight (with their dieticians help) before surgery to make sure that you can follow the post-op diet and to help you get a bit healthier before surgery to decrease your risk of complications. Good luck!

Hi Pam Thanks for the info. I am still hoping that Dr Nohr will see me in the end. I am willing to loose weight before. I actually lost 31 on WW and then stopped, it really frustrates me. I work out 3 times a week. I will keep you posted.

Hi Jackie.....a doctor may turn you down if he fills the risk is greater than the operation. I am a Nohr patient and know Dr. Nohr has set limits as well. I know he will not operate on women over 50 and I am thinking men over 40(not 1005 sure on the age but quite sure). Also he has a BMI limit as well.(Im not sure of this) The process on getting the surgery is soo different between the 4 doctors in Alberta, Dr. Nohr, Dr's Davey and Birch, and Dr. Farries. Good lUck to you and keep posted how your journey is going. Angie

Hi ANGIE Good luck with your surgery, I wish you well. I am still hanging on to the hope that Nohr will still see me. Can I ask if you heavier beofre you had your surgey scheduled? I am hoping that he will see me and that he will allow me to show him that I can loose weight and that I am pretty active. I keep thinking that it is a sign as the appointment was made and then he wrote my Dr and said not at this time, but the appointment was never cancled. Well let me know how it goes when you are to it. Is he doing the whole cutting thing or does he use Laparoscopy?

hi jackie...Yes I am having it done open...The reason is I have gullbladder issues and he wants to have an Actual LOOk inside to see how my liver is as well. I am not worried about the scar part of it as Im not one to go dancing on any tables with my belly hanging out.. Good luck to you on your journey

HI Again I got the call and the appoitment is still a go yeah. So I know you said you were having an open one, is that all he does? I do not care about the scar either, I was just thinking of recovery time that is all. Also what can I expect for my first visit and all that, do you mind walking me through it? Thanks for responing so quickly I really apprecite it. Good luck again and please do keep in touch I would like to know how things went and perhaps I can bounce things off you! Thanks Jackie

I asked Dr. Nohr how he would do the surgery when I went for my first appointment and he told me then that it would be open.......

I'm a Dr. Davey/Birch patient and unless Dr. Nohr and Dr. Farries have changed things recently they only do open surgery. Davey and Birch are the only ones that do lap. I think the others were thinking of starting though. I also have heard that Dr. Davey is one of the docs that will take the higher risk people as he has been doing this so long. But don't quote me on on that one. I know Nohr and Farries patients but of course know more Davey/Birch ones as we have a local support group. Any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Carolyn

I saw Dr. Nohr Jan 8, i'm having surgery done laproscopically dec 8, and he said that as long as my bmi is less than 44 we can do it laproscopically. If i gain any weight and i my bmi goes over 44 then it will be done open.