Just beginning to look into weight loss surgery

I weigh about 250 lbs and I am 5'3. I need some direction to where to even start. I take it, going to your own doctor is the first step. But sometimes he's not very helpful. I doubt I can get a referral out of him. So if anyone can suggest a good doctor here in Winnipeg, that would be helpful. According to what's posted here, Dr.Nohr in Medicine Hat and Dr.Davey/Dr.Birch are probably my best bet for doctors that accepts reciprocal billing. I am very interested in the laprascopic roux en y gastric bypass surgery. I actually feel like there is hope for me.

Hi Elaine...Yes you need to get a referal from your family doctor. The wait times here in alberta are long like 3 years (give or take) I am a patient of Dr. Nohr(still pre-op) I am going to be having the roux en y bypass but open. He has started to do the laprascopic also but not regularly.(He picks and chooses) The reason he stated was due to Operating times are longer laprascopically and he needs more people helping him(his team). I know the Davey/Birch program in Edmonton is called Weight WIse and its out of the Royal ALex Hospital, there is a website just not sure what it is. There is also Dr. Farries in Red Deer doing weightloss surgery, I am just not too sure on which procedures he is doing. His referal system is different, he only takes patients in May, from what I have heard your dr. has to call the office May 1 and try and get trough to refer you, but as I say I have only heard I dont know this as a fact. Good Luck with your decission and on your Journey. Angie

Hi Elaine I am from Winnipeg. Years ago I found this website and researched the different Drs and their availability. I saw Dr. Nohr in Medicine Hat, Alberta in May 2007 for a consultation for open RYN surgery (I had to wait from 2004 to 2007 for an appointment). I am scheduled for surgery in March 2008. I know RYN is invasive but I wanted a more permanent solution to my weight problems..... I've emailed lots of people on this web site to talk about their successes and challenges with this type of surgery, also did more review of the scientific literature (MED-LIne). MB Health will pay the cost of travel but the doctor has to make a request for every visit, etc.... There is a support group here in Wpg, never been there but might try to attend in Oct. Diane Wpg MB