Looking for a Surgeon

 I am looking for a Surgeon who does Gastric Bypass or LapBand, either in Edmonton or Calgary.  Also if it is covered by Alberta health care???

Welcome!

There are three surgeons in Alberta who do WLS and all are covered by Alberta Health.

There is the weight wise clinic in Edmonton through the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services.asp?pid=service &rid=1008784

There are also doctors in Medicine Hat (Dr. Nohr) and in Red Deer (Can't remember his name- but he only takes referrals one day a year).

Many of the people on this board have gone through or are going through the weight wise program- its very comprehensive and there is more to it than just surgery. You get education, meet with nutritionists, psychologists, and so on.

Every surgical program in Canada has wait times- WLS is no different. I had over a year from the time my referral was sent to when I got into the first module and had another 7 months before I got to the clinic (I got in on a cancellation - I would otherwise be going to my first clinic appointment at the end of October).

Its worth the wait! I have had appointments with the clinic staff every 6 weeks since April, I've had care, guidance and instruction...

Hi there is Dr Nohr, Dr Daniel Birch and Dr Farries (he's the one In Red Deer) and he is my surgeon or will be on the 1st of Dec.  I have been waiting since August of 08 so it takes quite a while to get in to him, If I were to do it again I would go for one of the first 2 Doctors just because of the wait time .

 Thank you.  Is it covered by Alberta Health care?  How did you get in touch with these Dr.'s?

Hi again , yes it is covered by Alberta health, you need a referral from your family doctor and from what I understand it is faster to get in with Dr Daniel Birch then Dr. Nohr and as stated earlier by another person Dr Farries only takes referals one day a year and I know I had to have my doctor get in touch with him on that one day in May and believe you me I was calling my doc's office from 8 am on till it was done cause he is that hard to get into.  From what I have been told Dr. Birch is a great surgeon but wait times are shorter and referrals to him are easier ie. not just one day a year
Good luck and congrats on your decision

 Thank you so much for the information.  Where are these Dr.'s located?  At this point in time, I'm willing to travel anywhere!  

Dr nohr and I believe Birch are in Medicine Hat and Dr Farries is in Red Deer , but your regular doc can find them in about 2 seconds through Alberta Doctors registery. Good luck

Dr Birch is in Edmonton as well but you have to go through the weight wise program they don't take dirct referals for WLS.  My doctor tried.

Dr. Birch is only one of the surgeons at the weight wise clinic- there is also Dr. Davy (I don't know anyone off the top of my head who had him as their surgeon though) and Dr. Karmali, that I know of.

Which might account for the idea of the wait times been less... more surgeons working at the one site.