will alberta govt pay for weight loss surgery

hi,
i am new to this forum.i came to know ontario is paying for weigh loss surgery.is alberta also paying?how much is estimate cost

If you live in Alberta (not sure if there is a timeline), you qualify for Alberta Health Care...which our WLS is covered along with reconstructive surgery on our stomachs....(Tummy Tuck).

 Hi Canadian-eh!

  I am in Alberta and would love some more info from you on this.
I believe AHC covers us, but the wait list to get it done in Alberta is now around 4 years long. I confirmed this in person with the program coordinator in Edmonton. 
Do you have any other info about this at all?   Maybe I am not fully informed. 
I have decided I don't want to wait that long so will be a self pay and go to Mexico. Our health care will cover some out-of-country costs so long as it is done at a full hospital.
But I really wish I could get it done in  my own province, without such a long wait. 
:)
Lisa

Hi Lisa

I read your post and wanted to share.  I live in Alberta and have had the referrals in for WLS here in Alberta.  You are correct in saying that the wait can be from 2-4 yrs.  I waited and waited...I was accepted into the program in Edmonton and found out that I would still have to wait another year for the surgery to happen if it did happen.  I say "if" because once a person is accepted into the Weight Wise program and if one is not losing weight in the program by recording daily logs, exercise, etc than you could be asked to leave the program.  I have heard this from many other people who are in the program.  I am by no means no saint when it comes to doing all that is required for this program.  In long discussion with my husband, and research I decided to go out of country for the VSG.  I did self pay for Dr. Aceves to do the procedure as I found he had the most experience.  My family doctor approved of my choice as well.  My experience was successful and my husband and I were both so very impressed with his team and the facility (hospital).  I would recommend him in a heartbeat. 

Good luck with your researching.

On wait times with weight wise... well, I was on the waiting list for 2 years before getting in the program. I've been in the program for over 2 years now. It will be about 5 years total of waiting for me.

I was finally approved for gastric bypass on July 31st 2009. I called and spoke with Lorraine (who books surgeries) today, and apparently there are 4 ppl ahead of me waiting to book surgeries, and Lorraine told me I should be scheduled for surgery very soon, for sometime in early Feb or possibly late Jan!  I have to be really careful not to gain any weight before surgery now, or they may not do it!  Ive had to keep food journals for over 2 years, wear a pedometer every day, attend tons of classes and appointments.... but I honestly can say that I feel prepared and ready for this change in my life.

The wait does suck,  but now that its actually getting close.... wow!

I'm new at this also and live in northern Alberta and I have no info on the procedure but I have been doing alot of reseach and I have found for half the price and no waiting period Tiawanawas a real wonderful experence for a lady I talked to on a forum. I hope to find her again and find out more info

I saw Dr. Davey in Oct./08 and was first scheduled in Jan./09....had to delay it till May/09....I have lost a total of 123 lbs. and feeling great....my wait time was not the standard 2-4 years....My panni surgery is scheduled for the Spring of '10.  I must say, it was a very fast process for me.

Good Luck to all.