Surgery Information

Hello out there, I was just hoping that someone out there would be able to help me with questions regarding MB Health and what they cover. I am a single parent in school and the last thing I can afford is surgery but it is my greatest wish to have it done. If anyone could point me in the right direction, I have spoken to my doc and he says hes on board but not much seems to be happening, if anybody has any advice, could they please let me know. It would be much appreciated !! My email address is [email protected].

Hi Amy I noticed your question on the Manitoba Message Board. There are no surgeons in Manitoba that will do weight loss surgery that I`ve heard of. Through this website I decided on Dr. Nohr out of Medicine Hat, Alberta and asked my family doctor for a referral to him. Manitoba Health paid for my airfare for a consultation appt with Dr. Nohr this May for consultation for open RYN surgery (I had to wait from 2004 to 2007 for an appointment). I am scheduled for surgery in March 2008 and MB Health has approved travel, medical & hospital costs. MB Health will pay the cost of travel but the doctor has to make a request for every visit, etc.... I am still pretty new at this website but if you have any other questions just email me. There is a support group here in Wpg, never been there but might try to attend in Nov. Diane Wpg MB

Hi Diane, Thanks for getting back to me, and congrats on your surgery. My family doctor says that he cannot refer me it has to be a surgeon so I'm waiting to see a gastric surgeon here in the city. Are you saying that if I find a surgeon on-line with whom I want to do my surgery my doctor can refer me? I am completely in the dark when it comes to this I have just been relying on my Dr. to do it for me. I am not even sure what the different surgeries are . My girlfriend had one done a couple of years ago but she lives in the states so the process is completely different. With MB Health are there any stipulations that they have that they may not tell up front? Hopefully you may be able to help with some of this, thanks again. Amy

Hi Amy, I did not have the surgery yet (March 2008). My Dr. had a list of bariatric surgeons in Canada and Dr. Nohr was on the list. I asked my Dr. for a letter of referral to see him and she agreed. I also knew of him from this website. Check out MB Health website for info on referrals http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/oop.html and on Travel Subsidy for Out-of-Province Medical Referrals. Manitoba is one of only a few provinces that offers assistance to help cover transportation costs related to getting medical care in another province, http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/travel.html. hope this helps Diane Wpg MB

Thanks for this info, i've been wondering about it also. My first appt is jan8, with Dr Nohr also, i hope i wasn't supposed to fill anything out to get reimbursed!

My doctor submitted a written request to MB Health and I got a copy of the reply saying I was approved for the appointment, after the appointment I sent my airplane stubs to MB Health (and filled out the form) for reimbursement and they mailed me a cheque. Diane

HI all, I am new to this board but just wanted to let you know that Winnipeg will now have Lap Band surgery available at the Maples Surgical Centre (private facility).Cost is $18,500 (incl GST). Call for a consult and surgeries start mid-January 2008. Chack out their website (Maples surgical centre).