Is self-pay Vertical sleeve surgery possible in Alberta?

 Yup i'm getting the Sleeve.
I meet with Dr. Birch the end of this month.

I am imn Alberta too.  I opted for paying fror the surgery myself. I went to Dr Aceves in Mexacali.  The procedure is done in a hospital.  They arrange pick up at San Diego Airport, first night hotel accomodation, 3 days in hospital with all the pre and post op testing and return to the sandiego airport for you return flight. And, they have a bed for whoever you want to take as a companion right in the room with you.  I loved the care I received.  I am down 63 pounds! 

Being a retired RN, sometimes hospital staff talk more bluntly to me I think?!!? The idea behind the weight wise clinic is to transition people into a new habitual lifestyle....it takes time and dedication on the staff's part and on the CLIENT"S....I personally don't believe in self pay as a route as then the surgery is done quickly (technically, surgically correct) but does not prepare the person for real life afterwards.....there are soooooo many dietary changes that it's important to ease into them and ensure they are entrenched into lifestyle or the surgery is wasted. You can still gain weight back. While I know MANY selfpayers go-to-Mexico people will disagree with me-I'm only speaking from almost 30 years experience in medicine so what do I know?? Anyway, the Post Op nurses talked to me at length about how many people get off the planes from Mexico and go straight to the Royal Alex Emerg...we NEVER hear about them on this forum as many don't know this support group excists! I have lost a total of 70 lbs with no complications, ongoing nutritional and nursing support FREE (through  my taxes right?) My first few days post op were pretty good and then the real work began with discipline, the tips I learned in the modules and the support of others in the program.  As you can tell I am pro-weight wise and believe in putting in the time and work. It took me a lifetime of bad habits to build up the fat coat, I think 2 years of journaling and education and setting myself up for success was worth it.  Too much said probably....oh well!

I live in the USA but I just had surgery with Dr. Ponce De Leon in Tijuana Mexico and two of my sleeve sisters where from Canada!  They like me were self-pay and they loved their experience.  One of them actually had never traveled in a plane before.  I hope you are able to get your surgery!