Cost, coverage, wait times.... questions

Hi.  I'm am currently a patient with Dr. Farries in Red Deer.  From all I've gathered he has the shortest wait times, but the struggle is his referral process. He takes referrals one day a year and only takes the patients he can deal with in one year.  It's taken me two years to finally get it, but from my understanding from other patients once you're one his list, fulfill his requirements, you're usually done in a year.  I have also heard rumors that there a few more bariatric surgeons coming to Red Deer.  This could dramatically speed up the process.  Check with your family doc and follow the referral process.  Good luck!

 Dr. Farries has 2 more docs working with him and his does intake more than once a year now. I attended their Red Deer support meeting through telehealth and his secretary stated this. The province has also opened up more OR times for Dr. Farries and Dr. Nohr in Medicine hat. Not sure about Edmonton.

 If you are in Calgary you can get a referral from your doctor to the "weight management program" based out  of the old children's hospital location. Not too sure of the present wait times but I was on the wait list for 3 1/2 years. I finally got a call last june, started the program in july and was chosen for lap band which is being done here in Calgary at the Peter Lougheed hospital in 10 days from now.  Long wait but hopefully worth it!! I believe the only surgery that they have funding for in Calgary is lap band unless you are chosen for Lapband and are unable to have it. They thought I was going to have to have the sleeve done due to a hernia but have decided to go for the lap band after all.

My understanding is that the program here in Calgary went through a lot of their wait list this past year and are anticipating less people this year to be  on the list than other years past. Not too sure if that is true or not but it might be worth getting your referral in as quickly as you can.  The only catch here in Calgary is that you essentially have to have co-morbidities (diabetes, sleep apnea, high bp, high cholesterol, etc...) in ADDITION to your BMI ... so many people were excluded this year because of that.

That's all I know ...hope it helps.  Also, even if you aren't chosen for lap band the classes that the weight management offers for 6 months are also very helpful resources.

If you want to know any more info ... send me a message and I will do my best to be helpful.

Good luck with your journey.   :)

Krista

Wow... thanks for all the information... very helpful... Do any of you know if there is a BMI minimum or how they determine other than other health factors etc as to weather you would qualify?
have anyone tried Xenical at all?  I was just put on it last week....

 Most use a BMI of 40. LIke Shawna said somewon't do it if you are over 50? 55? Can't remember the number. They will also do 35 if you have co-morbidities that go along with it, like diabetes and sleep apnea.

I am not too sure what the minimum BMI is, but I do know that there is a maximum BMI as well, I have known people that have had dates cancelled or postponed because they weighed too much at  the time.

Having WLS surgery is definitely a huge, permanent  lifestyle change.  Talk to your family Dr. and get yourself informed about your options etc.  My surgery was through Dr Nohr in Medicine Hat and it went well.  However, after hearing everyone talk about the weight wise clinics I wish I would have had that option available to me.  Everyone here is amazing as well and always has kinds words and lots of helpful insight....you came to the right place.

I have a best friend that went on xenical and she lost approx 90 pounds not just from the mds but from lifestyle change and looked amazing.  The mistake she made was that when she lost the weight she went back to old habits and has gained back approx 1/2 or more of what she lost. 

Good luck to you in your journey!

Hi i live 3 hours from Calgary in B.C. i am looking for any advice on getting weight lise surgery. It was recommended to me by a family doc. They want to send me to Victoria but I cant afford it. I have family i can stay with in Calgary for all visits. I was wondering what all is involved in getting the surgery and before and after care. I understand that wait times r about 3 years.

I am having surgery with Dr. Farries in Red Deer. Once I heard about him, I had my doctor refer me in April or May of 2010 and my first consult was November 30th. At my first consult I was told that I could expect to have surgery if I fulfill all requirements within 8 months. I am in the program for VSG. I have had my Endoscope in Jan 2011 and I am going for my psych evaluation in March 2011, and I hope I will know my surgery date after that. It is hard to get into his program but once in, as long as you fulfill his requirements, you should have surgery.