Woo hoo!

Hi!

I see a lot of you are interested in the info so I am going to post it here. I have written another letter with a few more questions and am awaiting a reply. Just so you know, the first link doesn't work but the second one does (that is one of my questions!). I have see a few other blogs that say it may be covered soon under MSP in the future (we'll see about that!!) lol

Here ya go! I hope everyone has a great week!

Thank you for your email of May 25, 2011, regarding skin reduction surgery for people who have lost a substantial amount of weight. Your email was forwarded to my office from the Honourable Christy Clark, Premier, and I am pleased to provide a response. The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is governed by the Medicare Protection Act and Regulations.  This legislation stipulates that only those services considered medically necessary may be insured by MSP. The preamble to the Medical Services Commission Payment Schedule indicates that surgery to alleviate significant physical symptoms, or to restore or improve function to any area altered by disease, trauma, or congenital deformity is, normally, a benefit of MSP. You may view the preamble at:  http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoprac/physbilling/payschedule/pdf/1.%20preamble.pdf.   Medical procedures which are obtained not to improve or restore function but solely to alter appearance (cosmetic) are not generally eligible for coverage. In order for coverage to be considered, the physician or specialist involved in a patient’s care must submit a written request for payment authorization to Health Insurance BC (HIBC). The request must provide details as to the nature of the condition, including why the procedure is considered medically necessary for the patient. I suggest that you consult with your physician or specialist involved in your care and discuss if surgery is an option to resolve your problems. If your specialist writes to HIBC and provides information that a procedure is medically required; the services would be reviewed and may be considered for coverage on an individual basis. I have attached the application for pre-authorization of payment surgery for alteration of appearance form for your information. This form can also be found on our website at: https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/exforms/practitioner.html#2769.   Your specialist can send the request to: HIBC Provider Programs
PO Box 9480 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC  V8W 9E7   I hope you will find this information helpful in clarifying the extent of MSP coverage.  Sincerely,   Tim Woolfrey Director Priority Initiatives

Could I have a copy of that info as well.  I'm a long way from a tummy tuck but would like to have my ducks in a row when the time comes.

For anyone in the Vancouver area, there is a WLS support meeting next week, Thursday February 2nd, at Mt St Joseph Hospital (Near 12th and Kingsway) in Vancouver, 7pm - 830pm (For pre and post-ops as well as partners who would like to attend).

This month we will be discussing meal planning and eating post WLS: difficulties, questions, tips and tricks.

Although you get protein in food, you probably aren`t getting enough.  We only absorb a portion of the amount we consume.  Drinking protein shakes or powders ensures you are getting in enough, which is about 100 g per day (remember, we only absorb half of it).  After two years, I still drink one or two a day.  The higher protein will also keep you from craving carbs.

I still do not eat the `white stuff`- pasta, bread, rice, oatmeal, cream of wheat, etc. as they have high carbs and high, unprocessed (especially) carbs convert to sugar, you then crave more carbs to convert to more sugar and pretty soon....back to where you started.

You can substitute so many things in lieu - i.e. shredded zucchini for pasta, etc. that you really don`t need the carbs.  The only carbs you really needs are from mostly veggies and a bit of fruit - fruit having higher sugar and carbs.  Stick by your 5-5-5 rules and you should be OK for not dumping.

Unjury Chicken protein powder is apparently very good; I am still trying to source in locally.

Popeye`s - the bodybuilding shops is awesome for all varieties of protein powders.  Tell them what you are attempting to do..ie. lose weight, build muscle, etc and they will point you in the right direction.  They will give you taste samples of anything.  If you buy something and take it home and find you don`t like it, take it back and they give a credit for other things in the store. 

Thrifty Foods also has Gensoy unflavoured soy protein.  I use it to mix into some yoghurts and also when I make a `mug of muffin`.  The organic or health food stores should also carry whey isolate protein powders in bulk, also in containers.  And there is an organic Chai on at Thrifty`s, can`t remember the name that is fantastic mixed with mixture of water and milk, but no ice..it gets really weirdly thick.

From Popeye`s I usually by the fruity ones - fuzzy navel, etc and mix with water and ice for a nice refreshing drink.  I probably double the water in them - more like 20 oz. than what`s required.  Sometimes mix a splash of crystal lite in as well.