OMG...people....WAKE UP!!!

The suregon in Red Deer (Dr Farries) requires that your referral from your doctor be faxed in on May 1 (or in 2010's case) May 3, as May 1 falls on a weekend. That is the only day you can have a referral sent into him.

The surgeon in Medicine Hat (Dr Nohr), who is my surgeon, takes referrals anytime. Your doctor will need to fax in a referral to him as well. The wait time is a bit much, but once you have your consultation date, you can call in and ask about cancellations for the consult and you may get in sooner. That was the case with my referral. My original consult date wasn't until January 26, 2011! But I called in a few times and finally got a cancellation date of June 2, 2009! YAY!!!! I'm now on a callback list for the surgery, but I'm just going to stick with my original given date for surgery of April 26, 2010.

I did start out in the weight wise clinic in Edmonton, but with me living so far out of town, it wasn't a feasable option fo rme to stay in the program. Having to drive 5 hours there, 5 hours back, spend money on gas, food, etc..... YIKES! I attended my first 2 sessions in weight wise back in September 2008 and November 2008.

Hey Brenda, can I go back to sleep now??? hehehe Just kidding...... I's gonna go finish cleaning my bathroom before hubby's brother comes home. *sigh*

*hugs*

Hi Brenda,
I am one of those about to have surgery Jan 27th to be exact. I start my pre surgery liquid diet next week (3 weeks of liquid insure) right now it seems like a long three weeks .I feel nervous/exited about the surgery.

Grant from Edmonton.

Hello Grant

I was on the liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery, but I think every doctor is different. Good luck...the first few days of the diet is brutal...but stick with it....your journey to WLS is almost over....then another journey begins....but a happier one....

Brenda

Hello
I just found your post and I am interested in finding out more information from you regarding weight loss. I am going to turn 50 this year. The weight battle has been a problem for almost 30 years, and I am now at the 300lb level. The surgery method has been on my mind for a while but I guess I need a "starting" point to find out how to go about getting it done. Is it covered by Alberta Medical? How long is the process? I have tried many programs, diets, perscription pills and they all give a 10 lb loss, but no lasting effect.  Energy is not an issue but severe knee joint and foot pain is so excercise has really taken a back seat in the past 15 years.
I hope you can offer a bit of help or direct me as to where to start.
Have a happy New Year and all the best in your endevor.

Hello there...

First off is to get the referral from your family doctor...he can download the Weight Wise forms from Capital Health...the Weight Wise clinic is at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton.

Once your family doctor fills in the form, it is mailed to the WW clinic. It takes about a year before you will hear from the clinic....I know a long time, but there are a lot of people wanting surgery.

Once they call you, you start going through modules at the clinic, and you see a nurse and dietician regularily. It takes about a year in the program before they decide if you are a good candidate for surgery...bascially do as your told and there shouldn't be a problem.

Yes it is covered by AHC...and the following tummy tuck will be too....it is classified as reconstructive surgery. After losing your weight and you are stable, they will do the tummy tuck.

It will be a year for me coming May 2010...and once my weight loss is stable, I will be referred for my tummy tuck...again done through the Weight Wise clinic at the RAH.

Anything else...just ask.

Brenda

Nothing's wrong with this board. Just no one posts. I'm still pre-op. I have no questions about surgery or anything since I've been researching it since my referral was first sent in to my surgeon back on November 29, 2006. I kinda get tired of reading the same things over and over. I do log in and read the posts though. Never really have much to add to the conversation.

I am excited to say that this was my LAST fat Christmas and will be my LAST fat New Year's. hehehe I'm going to have a lot of LAST's the beginning of this year. hehehe I'm really looking forward the most to my LAST fat birthday! Which is exactly THREE weeks before my surgery. YAY!!!!!  My dad will be coming down for my surgery to be with me and my husband. My hubby's taking 2 weeks off from work when I have my surgery as well. My in-laws should be coming down to see me for at least a day too. I know that I have to phone my sister when I wake up from surgery no matter how groggy I am. My hubby has a list of people he's going to have to call to let know I made it through.

Not much going on here. It's snowing! YAY!!!  I love the snow and cold. hehehe I'd do anything to be in Banff right now, sitting in the hot springs. Next Christmas that's my goal. hehehe

About 16-1/2 weeks to go to surgery.... April 26, 2010! YAY!!!!!!

*hugs*

Hello Lori

Well my post got people posting....that was my goal lol.

Glad you will be having your surgery in the new year...

It's an amazing tool....use it wisely and it will reward you forever.

Hugs

Brenda

Hi

I am from High Level, ab and my surgery is march 29 2010.  I my Dr is Dr nohr....I will be traveling from one end of the province to the other for surgery, but it is so worth it.  My mom will come down when I am released from the hospital...The Dr wants me to stick around for a week just in case.

Kewl.... your surgery is about a month before mine! My dad is going to be driving down from Grande Prairie to be with me while I'm in "the Hat". I'll be lucky enough to get to come home after being released from the hospital as I'm only about 1-1/2 hours away.

I know exactly what you mean by it being so worth it.

*hugs*

Hi I am new to this.. I am part of the weight wise program and just at the beginning of my journey. I am going to Edmonton for my modules Jan 25 & 26 taking 4 at once. I was just curious at what I can expect. What  is the approximate wait time for surgery, after starting the clinic.  How often are the appointments (I am from Regina, Saskatchewan). I am Just looking for any info i can get. I am so excited and nervous.