self pay options

Hi everyone - it's Mary from Newfoundland. I'm still researching options for a friend who lives in Alberta. She has been told the wait time with Dr. Nohr is 3 yrs plus. As she has the means - she is wondering about self pay options. I know they exist in Quebec and Ontario - does anyone know if it is available in Alberta or BC? Thanks so much for your help!

Hi Mary
       I also Live in Alberta and the wait times here are upsetting to say the least. In Northern Alberta you have to go into a Weight Wise program that could take 4 months to get into if you can get into it. Then you need to complete there program which could take over a year and then another 6-8-9 months to get into surgery. In southern Alberta its a very long wait to get into just a consultation to talk to a Dr and then another real long wait (maybe over a yr) to have the surgery. They say to keep calling to see if there's a cancellation but with alot of women calling I don't have much hope.
       As for self pay its alot in Alberta, depending on procedure its anywhere from 17,000 to 25,000 and you don't get bumped to the head of the list just because your self paying. Ya its alittle quicker from what I hear but your still gonna be waiting a long time.
      This is why I decided to just go out of Canada for this procedure..I have been reading the Mexico forum for around 3 months now and have been posting there for the last couple of weeks and I LOVE what I'm reading. The self pay over there is a considerable amount cheaper and there are afew Dr over there that alot of Women have nothing but wonderful things to say about there experience. As for the self pay over there its anywere between 3000-9000 depending on procedure.
       I know what your thinking "Mexico for surgery" well tons of Canadians and Americans go there for the dentist and other surgeries and there are alot of really good CLEAN places just do your homework and ask around on this forum.
    GoodLuck Mary in your search and hope I helped alittle
          Connie

Thanks for your reply Connie. I have told  my friend about out of the country options - I know a few people who have gone that route and have had great experiences. And I know there are many, many people who have done the same thing. I wanted to be sure of what I was repeating to my friend - and as you said the wait time in Alberta is discouraging. In New Brunswick - I waited 3 yrs from the time my consult was sent until my actual surgery - looking back - it didn't seem long - I wasn't self pay - Newfoundland Medical Insurance covered the surgery in New Brunswick because the procedure was not offered here. It did involve quite a bit of paperwork and stuff though. Thanks again Connie - good luck with your WLS and I hope the wait isn't too long for you. Thanks again!

Not to offend  anyone..
 

But ....I was at the clinic to see the Dr   and we were talking about Weight loss and the options. And she told me that she has several patients right now that have had surgery out of Country that are not in good shape.

The biggest thing with going out of country is that some drs won't touch you. So if you get a band. they wont fill. ect.. I know personally that wait times suck. But I also know that " For Me" the other parts had to change before I knew that I was ready.. I have had several friends in the past do surgery without the  " benifits " we get from the clinic.. Classes, OT, RN, RD's ect. and they ended up back where they were..

 Im not saying that will happen but I know the tools I was taught .. Will help me continue  successfully. I didnt get this way overnight and I know that it will not be an easy road.. Just my thoughts..

Hi - I appreciate your thoughts! Actually - my friend is leaning towards self pay in Montreal with Dr. Christou. It will mean saving for the next 6 month or so - but that period of time I think will be good inthat she willbe more prepared. He requires psych and nurtitional consults and other pre-requisites that I believe are important. He is also very well known and respected in the bariatric surgery circles. He actually trained my sugeon! And remaining in Canada for surgery - well - it's that much easier to get back there should there be any problems. Thanks again!