*** ASAP Information Needed Please***

I need information please. I have been on the Edmonton Waiting List to see a Dr. about lapband surgery for at least 9 months. In July I was send to Weight Wise classes. After the classes I was told it would take a year to get an appt. to see a Dr. about the surgery. I just received a letter from Capital Health Care saying thank you for waiting they have changed their system. They want me to call about making an appointment for Weight Wise Classes & see nurses etc. to see if i qualify for they program. Does anyone know the steps I will have to take & how long will it be before I actually have the surgery if I am accepted? I am in the USA at the present time & have an appt. to see a Dr. about lapband surgery on Wednesday. I would be a self paying person here in the USA but I am sure I can get the surgery done within a few months. I would be using my RRSP money to pay for the surgery but feel it is very nessessory for me to have the surgery done. I am age 60 with many comorbities & don't want to wait forever in Alberta. Also, I really don't want to go to Mexico. If anyone has any answers or ideas about my situation I would really appreciate you helping me. THANKS :help:

If you are willing to pay for the surgery, why not look at other options in Canada. I had a gastric bypass in October of 2007 done in Montreal. I paid for it myself, $18,750.00, AHC reimbursed me about $1,000.00 and the rest is tax deductible.

Hi Perry, Thanks for the information. I stay about 5 months a year (winter) here in Florida & could get the fills I would need here. If I had the surgery done somewhere else in Canada I would have to make extra trips to wherever that might be. That is why I didn't consider other places in Canada.

Hi i have heard nothing but glowing reviews from dr joya or dr rumbault in mexico where lap band is only 7000 to 8000 i've heard excellent hospitals and care. That's where i would go if i could afford self pay

P.Richardson I just got back from Denver 5days ago. I was banded by Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum. The cost is 9950$ My experience was great. Had preop visit on the 1st. Then had the surgery at a new surgical center the following day. My daughter had the surgery the day after. My uderstanding was that you have to be under 50 to have the surgery in Alberta. This may only apply to some of the surgons I'm not really sure. It was such an easy process with Dr.K. . You can find him on LapbandRockies.com. When I called the wait was about 1 month, but we waited 2 because it was better for us. The waits may be longer now I dont know. Goodluck Lizzieann

Based on your referal I'm going for surgery with Dr. K in December.  Bit scared but glad to be going?  Who does your fills?