Looking for info

Hi there - I'm a happy RNY'er - done April '08 in Moncton. A young (23yrs) friend of mine who knows I had weight loss surgery and knows I had an emergency Petersens' Hernia repair this past August called me today looking for info. She is just starting out on this journey - considering WLS - learning about the band/RNY/Sleeve etc. I don't know anything about how the system works out in Alberta - so I had a few questions if any of you would mind taking the time to send some answers my way.
#1 - Are there any Bariatric Clinics in Alberta where one can self pay?
#2 - What are the wait times like for someone who elects to have WLS done in Alberta and paid for by provincial health care insurance?
#3 - Do any of your have any reccomendations of surgeons?
#4 - if not - any names of surgeons? and whether they are self-pay or not?

Thanks so much!        Mary

Hi Mary--I will try to answer a few of your questions.

http://www.wlscenter.com/CanadianSurgeons.htm

The only one not listed was the weight wise clinic in Edmonton (see link below)

#1 - Are there any Bariatric Clinics in Alberta where one can self pay?  I don't think there is any self pay clinics that I am aware of. I have heard of self pay fills...

Self pay options out of country--I have heard great things on here about Dr A and A in Mexico and Joya in PV.
#2 - What are the wait times like for someone who elects to have WLS done in Alberta and paid for by provincial health care insurance? I don't know about the other places but for the weight wise clinic--AS far as I know it is about a year/year half to get in. Then it is depending on the complexity of her case, For example...does she need a social work/nurse/dietitian/physio/medication review etc. It really depends...6/9/18/36 months until approval?
#3 - Do any of your have any recommendations of surgeons? I don't know.
I am part of the weightwise  clinic and there is more than one surgeon...no opinion on anyone else. I would recommend to continue reading.
#4 - if not - any names of surgeons? and whether they are self-pay or not? see above


http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/whitecoat_20090926_20747.mp3

http://www.capitalhealth.ca/EspeciallyFor/WeightWise/default .htm

Thanks so much for taking the time to give me some information. You have provided me with info to give my friend an good place to start. I see your surgery is planned for this fall? Best of luck to you and I wish you every success!