Gastric Bypass Info Needed

Hi Nancy! Thanks for the info! I am looking into this now. Did your family Dr. refer you to him, or did you have to go through another Dr., such as Dr. Andrews in order to get it approved? What steps did you have to take? thanks!

I had my doctor send in a referal but if you are coming from out of province it is not necessary. I wanted to do it so I could try and get some of my money back from Manitoba health in which case you then need a referal. (more for your doctors records than Dr. Christou's records). I downloaded the form off the website, filled it in, sent it in on October 31st. I then recived a call the next week and had an appointment by the end of November (I could of gone earlier than that but it just didn't work out for me). I then went for my initial appointment (which not all people do ahead of time some just have their initial appointment the day before surgery). I then had my surgery on December 20th. A total of a month and a half... CRAZY!! If you need any more info I would be happy to help you. Nancy

Hi Nancy! Holy hell, that is a really short time!! I am going to my doctor's on Monday to get him to send in a referral to a few different surgeons, Dr. Christou included. As for insurance: From what I've read and been told, I think you have to try and get it approved beforehand through MH, though - I don't think you can claim expenses back after the fact without going through the proper channels, but I wish you luck anyways!~ Who the heck wants to wait 3 YEARS or more? Have you had any luck getting reimbursed at all? Do you have another insurer? I do, and it looks like both may cover this surgery when combined. (Sun Life, I am a public servant) Do you know of anyone in my situation that has been reimbursed? Thanks SO much again, Nancy.

Sorry it took me so long to reply to you. I don't know about any other insurers. I was a self pay. I have blue cross and they did not cover any part of it. For me everything happened so quickly I didn't really speak to very many other people. I also had a friend go a few weeks ago and get the lap band from Dr. Christou. As for being reimbursed I am still waiting to get some money back from Manitoba health. Nancy

Not a problem - I had my doctor refer me to Dr. Christou, and had him send in the paperwork for travel expenses, etc. and have my application form/letter/pictures in to Dr. Christou now. Just waiting for the phone call on the consult! Thanks loads - you were instrumental in my journey with regards to what was best for me. Feel free to private message me!!! Diana