Dr Amson doing Surgeries - Why Victoria?

Hi Everyone, I was speaking to a friend this afternoon who has been following me on this journey. I said to her how is it that a Dr. in Victoria of all places has cornered the market on these surgeries and no one else? Her response to me was isn't that where the Provincial legislature is, our Capital city? Rather ironic. She has been trying unsuccessfully to lose 45 Ibs since 2 years ago. She had a brain aneurism which created seizures and she was to have it lasered out of her head. (I digress). From the meds she was on to control seizure activity she gained weight. She is incredibly fit has a very physical career as an irrigation techinician at a golf course. She says she can now understand the difficulties we are facing with not being able to have surgeries. When I started this journey and applied for the OOC I was turned down and received a huge packet of all the reasons why I had been turned down and the many areas that the province is providing a variety of health improvements for BC. The packet must have had 30 pgs of garbage. They could have used the money from the paper and postage for something else. Also, you can get your Dr. to fill out the OOC appl and sign it. If you have done all the testing your GP has copies of everything that you send along with the appl. You put Dr. M's name in for the specialist and see where it goes. Fax it in and you should hear with in days. Sarah

Morning Sarah, I was wondering how long ago it was that you were turned down? Are you past the appeal time limit? I also was wondering whether any of those "health improvements" have assisted you in any way? I definately think that if we apply for ooc we will be turned down, however I think that if we appeal we could win. I have already picked out the surgeon I want. Dr. Adrian Heap in Richland Washington. Thank you for the tip about sending in all the test results and putting Dr. M's name on the form as the specialist. I will talk to my GP about that this coming Wednesday. ttysoon Janice

I have a 3 yr wait to have this surgery done, does any one no of any other doctor that performs this surgery i am in surrey bc, 3 yrs is a long wait.

Hi Janice, I applied April 12/06 and was turned down May 12/06. I am tempted to get my Dr. to add Dr. M's name to my application and add the other test and scopes. I really don't want to go somewhere else. I wonderif the average Josie can set up an appointment to see some of these people or attend a meeting that with all of the board attending? We are after all residents of BC representing part of the 12% of obese people costing the healthcare system 380 million dollars a year. Sarah

Hi Ladies I am new to this board but definitely not new to this loooong waiting and journey we all seems to be on. I got this website from a lady at my TOPS group that was passed on through her daughter! (Thanks Sharon) Anyhow, I started researching WLS in general back in 2000. I wasn't convinced it was for me. I first saw my very first surgeon i***** (Dr.Marsh) and something told me no way. It was really expensive too. Then I decided to try again after my GP told me it is now being covered. I was on a waiting list to see Dr.Cleator. A month before my consult I got that dreaded letter stating he was not accepting any new patients because he is given no more OR time. I sat for another couple years trying to just lose these awful pounds on my own. (It didn't work out too well though, lol) I went and saw Dr. Lai in Surrey and he told me if I could lose 100 pounds to come back and see him and he would gladly do the surgery. (If it was only that easy) I then went and saw Dr.Leung who just laughed in my face and that scared me off that I wouldn't go and see another surgeon about WLS ever again! A few ladies from the other BC WLS board convinced me that Dr. Amson was awesome. We had a daughter of our weight recorder come and talk to us about her WLS (she lost 200) and I was totally convinced. I went and saw Dr.Amson last May and then again in June and love him! He told me the waiting list is 2 years. BC Medical pays for the ferry expenses so that is a good thing. If BC Medical pays for us to travel there then how come locally here everyone is having such a hard time? I see Dr.Amson again in February. I just know for me personally this is the tool I need to help me along. I guess I am out of the loop here. Is nobody getting WLS in the lower mainland? Well just thought I would chime in and say hello to you all. :wave: Even though I have decided on Dr.Amson, if I can do anything you guys are doing in writing letters or whatever, please let me know. I would love to help in anyway. I realize the longer we wait the harder it might be the way our government works! YIKES! Have a super day everyone! Carrie

Hi Carrie I`m Sharon. I am glad you looked us up. I know the tops group you go to is a great support team. This site has become a great support for me. Everyone here knows how it feels to try everything to loose weight. There are a few of us in the lower mainland who are on a wait list for a wait list for WLS, that may or may not happen. LOL. Thats the goverment for you. Any letters you write or emails you sent will help us and yourself. I figure at one point the only way to shut us up is to allow the doctors at Van General to start up the surgery. If we don`t fight they will ignore us. So together we stand yell at the tops of are lungs and they will give in. I know I live in another world LOL but if I don`t I will go nuts. It`s the skeaky wheel that gets the oil. Talk Later , Take Care, Sharon ( Langley )