Surgery options...

.

Not an option in Edmonton, I dont think even in alberta. I am banded and have heard of alot of people going to mexico. The problem is the dr.s here will not do a fill, so you are hooped. I dont know the last time you were at the WW clinic, but I know they have another DR. now so maybe things will speed up. I was seeing a dietican every 6 weeks. 1 year and a bit later I had surgery. So I dont think you are looking at 5 years, you all ready have your foot in the door. Having said that, the DR.S at the WW clinic do 50% banding so you need to decide what type of WLS you would like because they may not offer that one to you. It is a big decission. If you want to self pay they do a sleeve and a DS in Ontario. Neither of these are offered in Alberta. I would start researching all the WLS now so you dont waste your time and are prepared.Check out the Forms on here under the surgery and you will be able to read all the posts from the USA and Canada. They are really informative. Good luck!!

Hi there. I wasn't willing to wait the 3 years that they told me I would have to do so I went to Toronto and had the band put in. They are awesome and I would recommend them in a heartbeat. You can check out their site at www.lapband.ca and there is a doctor in St. Albert that does the fills that I have been to. If you would like more info or to chat please email me at [email protected] I had my surgery 6 weeks after I called them. Dawn

Hi  Karen, I just had the lapband done in Toronto.  My surgery was done by Dr. Cobourn,  He is opening a clinic in Calgary in the fall,  I did pay for my surgery.  The number is 1-888-278-7952 toll free,  good luck

Hi  Karen, I just had the lapband done in Toronto.  My surgery was done by Dr. Cobourn,  He is opening a clinic in Calgary in the fall,  I did pay for my surgery.  The number is 1-888-278-7952 toll free,  good luck

Hi  Karen, I just had the lapband done in Toronto.  My surgery was done by Dr. Cobourn,  He is opening a clinic in Calgary in the fall,  I did pay for my surgery.  The number is 1-888-278-7952 toll free,  good luck

Hang in there as I have finally been given a surgery date after seeing them first in Junly of 2007. It does take a long time. They were doing the same song with the binge eating thing with me. Dr. Sharma in particular. Once I convinced them that was not what I was doing things seemed to move more quickly forward. They have now added a new surgeon, Dr Karmali, so they say the list will move more quickly. Please be patient. My surgery date is Sept. 26 and now that the date exists I am getting more and more nervous.

Wow, being here in Calgary, things seem so bleak.
What are my choices? Wait and wait and wait, and hope I don't die. Or magically find money to pay for someone to do it, which would be way sooner than later.  Hmm. What is a fat girl to do?
I have looked into Medicard for financing, but are waiting to hear from them what their interest rate is.
I am seeing my doctor next week for a referral, but he is very old school and has told me numerous times to "cut my portions down". That is all he has. I doubt it will go anywhere. So I feel like im on my own. 

I know the wait seems unreasonable,but stick it out!!!Try to get yourself accepted into other programs as well,it doesn't hurt to be in more then one if it will get you to your goal faster...I don't know where you are in Alberta,but I started with Dr Ferries in Red Deer and my first appointment was March 11 2008 and my gastric bypass was done July 30/2008.He only takes referals from your Dr the first Monday in May and when I was referred he took less then 100 patients,this yr he took 200...he will only take as many patients a she has time to see completed in 1yr from start to finish.I can not be any happier with Dr Ferries,he is blunt when something needs to be said but he isn't looking for you to admit to binge eating or anything like that.He is here to help,he knows its not all your fault your large and will tell you that,he does want a food journal and if he sees something in there that is not good fo you he will tell you and you had best STOP eating it and try to do everything he requests of you or you will find yourself out of the program.Good luck to you..

So with Dr. Ferries, was this covered by health care? Or was that out of your own pocket?  I cancelled my appt with my doctor.  I guess I am scared to talk to him. Maybe I should go to a walk in clinic? Or does my physicals that I have had with my family doctor needed? In my chart it will show my weight gain over the past 8 yrs. Not sure what to do.  I live in Calgary, is there anyone here?