Support for clients past/present/future in the CALGARY WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

A facebook group has been started for the ppl involved or would like to know more in the Calgary Weight Management Program in Calgary. Due to severe cutbacks the lapband surgeries went from 100 last year to 25 this year! We are hoping to reach out to other clients of the program to rally support to show the AB govt that this is NOT a lifestyle choice but a disease requiring medical intervention. IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO BELONGS TO THIS PROGRAM OR HAS HAD SURGERY BECAUSE OF THIS PROGRAM please please pass this link on we need everyones support http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14363782002 Thank you and good luck to all on their journey Leslie

Please send me any information you have regarding getting a referral to the Calgary program. I asked my doc about the program via the nurse and was told that they don't know anything about the program. Instead they gave me the names of 4 surgeons in AB who perform gastric surgery and told me I was on my own to contact them. After that happened, I faxed info I found online to my doc's office re: the Calgary Wgt Management Program and asked an appointment to discuss or for consideration and a referral, etc. No one has responded and that was 2 weeks ago. Thanks for your help.

Hi Mary Ann, I will send you the following links to help with your search. The Calgary Weight Management Program is in the process of restructing b/c of the lower amt of surgeries. Every doctor for gastric surgery will need a refferal from your family doctor. It is good for you to call and gather the info for you family doc and then they can fax the refferal into the program. I am encouraging you to chk out all of the options available in AB. It looks like there will be an approx 2-3 year wait for the surgery if it is to be paid publicly. Chk out Dr. Farries in Red Deer. He is just starting to do lap band & he also does the gastric bypass surgery. His number is 403-347-9037 There is also a program at the Royal Alexandria Hosp in Edmonton. I do not know the number. The main phone number for Calgary Weight Management is : 403-943-2611 Here are my links: This one is about the calgary weight management program http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/newslink/region_news/2007/2007-06-06_lap_band.htm This is a link to a calgary group of ppl who are having/or had the surgery privately or publicly funded. Search the archive for info it is a wealth of information. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/calgarylapbanders/ I hope this helps. Good Luck Leslie