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This is good news! When you're feeling a bit better, would you be willing to share more about your experience? Did you have to travel to Richmond often, or were most consultations done by phone? I wonder if they'd do Skype or similar...? How long is the consultation process? Or does it vary for each patient based on test results, etc?
Congratulations on your surgery - speedy recovery!
Hi there!
I'm from out of town as well - I live in the interior and I'm part of the Richmond program ( I'm actually having surgery this morning - wish me luck!). They take patients from all over the province as the only two places are Richmond or Victoria. They try their best to group appointments and do telephone consults when they can.
Best of luck and I hope that helps! :)
Kyla
Hello all, I'm new here. I'm interested in beginning the process required for bariatric surgery, and I've got a bit of a question. Do any of you live outside of the lower mainland or Island? If so, how did the distance/lack of immediately available services impact your experience? I live in Prince George, after many years in New Westminster, and since I've moved here I've been surprised by how few specialists practise here! I still travel back to Vancouver several times a year to see a rheumatologist and a dermatologist (pretty severe psoriatic arthritis, oh joy) and am hoping for a referral to the Richmond facility. I'm afraid that I would be refused just on the basis of location alone!
I have heard this as well from one person. From what I understand, as long as you are on top of you vitamins and getting your blood work checked regularly you should be ok. I believe its more prevalent with the RNY due to malabsorption. Something to discuss with your surgeon.
Hi Mjdvan
The Cost is 19.5K plus flights and hotel for about a week. The procedure lasts 1.5 hours total time under. They keep the patients in the hospital for two nights and in town for three days after the surgery.
Mexico was also an option but I decided to stay in Canada.
I've recently read a lot of information (bariatric surgery source) regarding abnormal dental issues developing after bariatric surgery....anyone have any positive information to avoid this from happening?
"Live the Light, light the coffee, eat more flowers, don't forget the fairies, mind the moon and remember....what goes out comes back in a big way!" - Kat Smithey, a Dianic Witch.
I am so sorry that this has been your experience, so far, mne as well. I find the replies from Richmond bariatric to be horribly cold. If you don't mind my asking, what is the cost in Quebec?
I hope that it goes smoothly for you!
BC: (public) waited 18 months for a reply even an acknowledgment ...that still has not come ...Tried to follow up with 2 different Bariatric centers after GP referrals. Received short, disapproving , and condescending tone for calling or emailing. Leaving me feeling both discouraged and marginalized.
Quebec: (Private) Friendly, professional, positive, encouraging. Immediate response, surgery date booked within six weeks of inquiry.
Yes its costly, but if I continue to live at this weight eventually my health will prevent me from working and that will be more costly in the longer term.
Most importantly and thankfully... I don't have to roll over and quietly accept being treated this way!
I was sleeved Feb 2012. Started off around 333 lbs. Got down to 155 lbs but bounced back up to 165 lbs where my body seemed to have been happy there.
Got pregnant in 2014, and gained back 70 lbs. It took me almost 2 years to get back on track.
But just wanted to let the newbies know that this far out, I don't regret for even 1 second having this surgery. I don't think I could have ever done it on my own from the start.
Now I have about 30ish lbs to get back to 165 which is my goal. I'd like to get back there by February 2017 as it will be 5 years since I'm sleeved and want to make the Bariatric team proud that I have been successful at this even at 5 years! :)
I currently workout at home and following a meal plan, and I'm loving the results! I'm almost 40 years old and have never felt this great in all my life! Even if you have fallen off the wagon, know that it is possible to get back on and get your life back! :)