New to this forum

I am new to writing on this forum, however have been reading posts for quite awhile as part of doing research in regard to the vsg surgery. 

I am in the program in Calgary and am feeling pretty discouraged as the AHS apparently has no money in the pot right now for surgery in our region. The classes are great but it's a lot of time invested for no guarantee of even being approved to be put on a wait list. It is great to have the resource of the classes but I have struggled for over 30 years with my weight; I haven't learned anything earth-shattering in the classes that isn't basic common sense for the most part. 

I am feeling frustrated and want to start to feel like I am living my life to the fullest, instead of waiting for the potential to wait some more. 

 

Right now I am hoping to pull together the funds to go to Mexico. My research to date is leading me to go with Dr. Aceves

 

 

 

 

Have you tried looking into the Red Deer hospital??  There program is great.

Thanks for the suggestion- how long did it take you to get into surgery there? I am on the Red Deer wait list as well for their intake process. 

I wonder if there process is similar to Calgary- about 10 classes x 2-3 hours?

 

I went to Dr Aceves and it was one of the best decisions of my life! I'd recommend him to anyone. I've never been in a cleaner, more well run hospital and the care was amazing.

I had my doctor send my referral in to the Red Deer Clinic in March of 2012 , I finally got a call at the end of Aug for a app in Sept. You see the nurse a couple of times before you get to meet with the doctor . They do require that you lose 10% of your body weight first(before surgery) . they have me on 3 cups of food a day , (sounds awful but is actually not that bad ) I have already lost my requirement for surgery . You meet with a nutritionist and they have you meet with a physiologist (not sure how many times I have my first app with them in couple of weeks)and then they also book you in for a Gastroscopy( mine is in Feb) after that I believe I meet with the doctor and then they said it is just seeing the nurse once a month and waiting for my surgery date.  Now I don't know if every case is like mine but this has been my experience. The Red Deer Clinic is fantastic it was a great choice for me ( they don't make you jump through hoops but you do have to be motivated to lose the weight) ! Do your home work and make sure that the clinic you pick is the right one for you. I Live in Calgary so it is only a short drive :0)

 

 

Thanks all for your responses. It is good to hear that the process through Red Deer is more straight-forward. 

If I can't pull the money together to go to Dr. Aceves I hope that I get the call from the Red Deer clinic soon. Good also to hear that Dr. Aceves is a solid choice. 

I need to get my weight under control; I am a single Mom now and I fear the health risks are greater without accessing surgery.

Jill

 

Just one more thing to add :0) Phone them and find out where you are on the list , this will give you a idea of when you will get your appointment. Good luck with your journey :0)

 

Pauline