clinic in Edmonton

hi, i was just refered to a clinic in Edmonton for wieght loss surgery, I have read a bit about the clinic and it seems a good one. I was wondering if anyone else has been to this clinic and could answer some questions for me. The Doctors are Birch and Davis. how long is the wait to get the initial consult. I have read in other posts that is was 2 years but wasn't sure if that meant to surgery date or so get in to see them the first time? And if anoyone could explain the process to me i would appreciate that. Thanks

Hi rhonda, i can tell you what i know about the clinic in edmonton. the wait for the initial consultation is long - the last number i heard was that there were over 1000 waiting to get in. i don't know how long that will take but if i had to guess i'd say around a year at a min. once you get in there it is an almost year long process before you receive the surgery. there is a lot of counselling, etc. which is done to make sure you are prepared to make the changes necessary. they are both very good surgeons, they are not doing any cosmetic cases. all patients have the necessary bmi but must also have co-morbidities as well i.e. diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. so you have to have other complications of being overweight. i am waiting to get in there but my bmi is at the very bottom of the range required and i do not have any co-morbidities so at this point i have not ruled out paying to have it done elsewhere. lots of money though. i know as well that these docs will not folow you for fills, complications, etc. if you have your surgery done out of provice i.e. toronto. hope this helps, keep in touch.

Hi there. When I first started looking into surgery a year ago, I was told about the clinic that you were referred to. Apparently, they are great doctors there and you get really good care. However, when I inquired, I was told by that clinic that I had to go through a "weight wise" program for approx. 1.5-2 yrs and then that didn't even guarantee an appt with the surgeon. I myself couldn't wait that long. I paid for it myself and went to a private clinic in Toronto. Best decision I could have ever made. Now, you might speed right through the process. But I have heard good things about this clinic and the doctors. Hope it all works out to your favour. Cheers! Dawn

Hi Rhonda, I have been through the Bariatric Clinic at the Royal Alex in Edmonton. Now called Weight Wise Clinic. I had my Gastric bypass two years ago and it was the best thing that's ever happened to me. I was on their waiting list about 2 years, though. they are currently in process of expanding, and trying to get the wait time down to about one year from initial contact to surgery. I didn't have to go through the Weight Wise stuff for a year before the surgery. Maybe because I live 2 hours out of Edmonton - but the people I've spoken to who use it say it's the best thing ever. Drs birch And Davey are fabulous and have a practically negligeable complication rate. I was done laparoscopically, and was out of hospital in three days. I weighed 468 at the time. I now weigh 250 and am needing help to get "unstalled", which is complicated by the fact that I am waiting for two knee replacements and in the meantime I can't really exercise. Next fall I get the paniculectomy, which is part of the deal at that clinic. I also get all the follow up I want, in fact I was talking to my brilliant and wise dietitian a couple of days ago. The clinic also has a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a nurse, several dietitians, and are getting more surgeons and their own unit in the hospital within a few years. The follow up is great - I get all my nutritional levels taken regularly, and can see anyone at the clinic whenever I need to do so. I have experienced no complications throughout the whole procedure. I would say to hook up with them - they are the best. I've been told the surgeons are the best in Canada if not North America and I believe it. good luck.

Thank you all for the great feed back. I am a lilttle disappointed to know that they wont do the surgery for that long, but i am willing to go through the steps i need to to get the weight off. I have heard that this was one of the best clinics thats why i got a referral to it. The problem for me is that i live in saskatchewan so the trips back and forth will be very hard to do. i hope i wont have to make that many trips there, but i will do what it takes to get the weight off. right now i am about 260 (not 100% sure, i avoid scales) and 33 years old, but i am progressively adding the weight on over the years, i have tried to loose it myself but can only seem to get about 35 lbs off and then i cant seem to get anywhere after that. Even if i cant get the surgery the weight wise clinic with all the support staff will be wonderful. I am hoping to get the lap band surgery though. I hope this is the answer for me. thanks again and hearing your results gives me hope that i can do it too.

Have you thought about Dr Farries in Red Deer? He accepts refferals May 1st and this year is expanding into lap-ryn and the band. The wait is no more than a year. He is picky and doesn't accept everyone into the program. I have no complaints only praise for him. Just an option. Paula

Hi Paula, I've just seen Dr. Farries for the 2nd time (in two months) and things are going pretty well. I've already lost 22 pounds for he was happy. I saw you said he's picky? Is there anything I should watch out for? I'd be so upset if I came this far and didn't get to have the surgery. Thanks, Kelly

You're fine. He is picky, he only want successful patients if you don't lose weight or have serious health problems you'll have a harder time getting his clearance for surgery. Sounds like you are a shoe in. I love Dr Farries warts and all. Good luck with a speedy date. Paula

Hi Rhonda, I'm 32, soon turning 33, I started my process back in 04. I got my family doctor to send a referral to a Dr.Carl Knor. He is based in Medicine Hat, AB. Dec 04 I sent my referral, and had then i got a consult date for May 24/07. On that day i got my surgery date: March 31/08. Almost there!!! My sister who lives in Edmonton went through the weight-wise program only to turn her down!! The told her doctor she had gained weight so she wasnt trying!! She is waiting now to see my doctor in Med. Hat! Good luck

Hi...I was refered 20 months ago and didn't even get my first consult yet....good luck....