Surgery cost - Alberta, Canada

Hi everyone,

My name is Sandra and I am new in this forum.

I would like to ask you some questions about the surgery cost and it might sound a bit "stupid",
but I am also new in Edmonton!

I would like to know (because I've read somewhere) if Alberta's Health services
covers the costs of the gastric surgery for those who are eligible (have have a BMI of at least
35%, have a referral to the Weight Wise Management Clinic, etc).
Do you have any information about that?
I am asking because I am saving money for one of the surgeries and things are becoming a bit
critical...regarding my weight!

Thanks

Sandra

If you get your Dr to refer you to the program, take the modules, attend all of your appointments, follow instructions for changing your eating and exercise habits, qualify for surgery, don't smoke, follow the pre surgery diet (I think that's everything) the province will pay for your surgery.

Be aware that getting into the clinic doesn't guarantee that you'll end up having the surgery.

It takes time - it used to take a couple of years IF you eventually got the surgery. It seems to be less now.

Thank you Kelly-AnneH,

I have one more question, do we have to have Diebites or other diseases to be eligible?
Because I only have Feet and Knee problems and of couse a lot of low self-esteem! I also have all my familly (parents, my sister, Grand-parents an oncles/aunts° with diebetes and high blood pressure, it seems to be genetic...and of course, I am 220lb and 4'11

Thank you again,

Sandra

I'm not affiliated with the clinic, nor am I a medical professional, so I can't give you a yes or no on that. What I can do is encourage you to go see your doctor and ask him/her to refer you to the clinic. Say why (your weight, pain in knees and feet, depression, family history etc) and ask. What's the worst he can say?

Assuming that goes ok, Your next step is to call the booking number and start taking the modules. You'll learn a LOT if you're willing to start making some changes and the time until you're called into the clinic will go pretty quickly. Start a food journal and buy a pedometer.

 Thanks you so much for your reply and for your encouragement! I will talk to my doctor, will see what he says!

I did not have any medical issues other then being overweight.  It did not stop me in anyway from getting the surgery.  The longest part is the wait lists.

 Hi Used2Bthin,

Thank you for your reply. I have already an appointment with my family doctor next week, hopefully he will refer me to the wen clinic!

  http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services.asp?pid=service&rid=1008784


the referall forms can be found at that link

you have to qualify according to their EOSS (Edmonton Obesity Staging System), take the classes (modules) and do the clinic visits.
From submitting my forms, until my first clinic date was less than a year.  From my first clinic date (December 2011****il my surgery will be about 9 months, I was just put on the list for surgery this week, they are expecting to have me in by August.

hope this helps

Thank you teenuh for your reply, it surely helps!

Things have changed quite a bit with the program now. Now you can have your dr send in your referral as soon ad you have your first 4 modules booked ( one of those has to be "getting started"). Then you just have to have those four modules done by the time you have your first appointment. There are no longer any prerecs other than u need a bmi of 30 or higher. I had my referral accepted in march and had my first clinic appointment May 8th. From everyone I have spoken with and my own experience it takes on average 8 months to a year start to finish ( from referral to surgery) I have been to two clinic appointments and had a couple phone consults since may and I was told the dr will most likely be referring me to the surgon when I see her in three weeks. So it's moving along nicely. I am just assuming the 8 month to a year is pretty accuracte.

If you want to chat or have any questions please feel free to contact me!! I will help as much as I can. You can always call central booking at 780 401 2665 (book) and they are great there. They can explain all about it. Just tell them you wanting to get a referral into the weight wise clinic and ask what steps you need to take.