newbie needs advice

Hello. I need some advice, please. My physician is giving me a WLS referral and I'm wondering what I can do to speed up the process. I live in Calgary but can't really find info on bariatric surgery here other than some dr. names.

Is the Weight Wise clinic just in Edmonton or does Calgary have a similar clinic system.?  Can anyone attend or do you have to be approved?   I'm thinking of attending the WW modules in Edmonton (or Calgary) on my own, if possible, and starting food journaling even before I hear from any clinic to help the process along. Is there a different process for Calgary? I'm 45 and want the gastric sleeve. Read tons on the surgeries, but not much info on prep or what the first steps are. At this point I"d like to stay in Alberta and see if AHS will cover the surgery.   

Has any had experience with insurance covering the surgeries (ie: Great West Life, Manulife)?

Well I can speak about the WW Program in Edmonton.

For me it was just over one year from the time my referral was sent in to the time I had Surgery (13 months).  I did go through the program very quickly.

It will speed things along if you are logging all your foods, as that is a requirement, as well get a good pedometer and start working your way up to 10,000 steps per day.  Taking the modules helps as well, there are several that are required for the program and getting a head start can only help, I had 9 done when I had my first appointment at the clinic and it helped because I had a good grasp on what I needed to have done.  You do not need to be approved to go to the modules, anyone can take them and I found most people I took them with were not in the weight wise program.

As for the Clinic itself you will usually get a call within 3 months of your referral to set your first appointment and then will have regular appointments over the next few months with a Nutritionist, Nurse, Physiologist, and the wight wise Doctors. After you have met the requirements they can approve you for surgery.

One thing to note, I do not think any insurance companies in Canada cover WLS, but If you go through the Edmonton or Calgary Programs, there is no charge. It is 100% covered by Alberta Health Care.

Sometimes it seems like there are some hoops to jump through and I know a year seems like a long time, but it takes time to break old habits, and discover the root of the problems that got us to where we are. Embrace the time to make healthy lifestyle changes and to learn, I can tell you if you stick to it is is worth it!

Speed trap has covered a lot of the basic about getting into the Weight Wise program. Their program is amazing and it's much more proficient that when I started, I waited longer to get into the clinic than I did to have surgery but the program has changed a lot since I started it in 2009 and had my surgery in 2010.

Taking the module are a requirement but also I feel like they help so much in moving forward with a positive outlook about obesity and weight loss surgeries.

When tracking your food intake, also track things like moods and your hunger levels so that you can be more aware of why you are eating. Are you truly hungry or is it stress eating or eating out of boredom. Practice not drinking any liquids with your meals and then eventually change it up to be for 30 minutes before and after you eat. Also stop drinking pop or liquid calories. All these little changes will make for a bigger success once into the clinic.

Good Luck,

Kee.

I also live in Calgary and I am in the program at the Red Deer Clinic. They have a fantastic program and the nurses and doctors are also great .Plus it is closer than Edmonton :0). 

Thank you to everyone for you responses.  It's hard to be patient now that I've made the decision to have the surgery.  I'd like to have it done sooner rather than later but I see the right steps need to be taken in the right order.

One more question - did you decide where you wanted to go or did AHS decide for you?  I'm ok to go to Edm, RD and not just Calgary - should I tell this to AHS?  Thanks!

I made the decision my self . My doctor had no clue so I did  all the research myself and I gave everything I had to him and then he sent my referral to the clinic in Red Deer :) Make sure you do your research before hand. Makes it a lot easier.

I did some research and made some calls today and in addition to a Calgary referral I will have my dr. submit to Edmonton.  Spoke to a very nice man at Central Access who gave me great info and also got me registered for the Weight Wise classes.  I think by the time I get my first appt I will probably have most of the required modules completed. This helps me to feel like i"m being doing something besides just waiting (which I'm not the greatest at) :-)

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I printed off the referall form from this site and took it to my family doc to fill out

My RE (infertility doc) did the initial referal tho

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