Help

Hello, I am new to Manitoba and want to know how to go about getting gastric bypass surgery. When I go to the Doctor, does she need to sign a recommendation, or must I contact a bariatric clinic first and go from there? Any info is much appreciated!

Do you have your manitoba medical number yet?  You'll need that for sure.

I went to my regular doctor and told them what i wanted to do.  I also told him the name of the surgeon that i knew of.  The clinic got a hold of that doc's office and they contacted me.  It took a month or 2 till i received the letter from Dr. Nohr's office.  and my consult date was aprox 22 months after that.  My surgery was scheduled the day i went to my consultation, 11 months away!  Manitoba medical paid the surgery and everyting.  After my appt. I submitted a travel expense sheet that my regular doc had to fill out, then i was reimbursed the cost of an air line ticket.  Same thing for after my surgery.  My regular Doc and i filled out a travel form, i sent it in, and i was sent another cheque covering the cost of a flight.  I drove and the cheque covered my entire trip expenses (fuel efficient car).  One time i stayed in hotel, the next time stayed with family.

Hope that helps!
Good luck!

Thank you so much for the reply! I'm in the process of getting my health card and have already found a Doc here in Brandon. Where is Dr. Nohr located?

Hello,

I also had Dr. Nohr, he is in Medicine Hat, Alberta.  You need to research the type of surgery you want and also find out which surgeon does that type of surgery.  You can post on other forum across Canada and ask the people for their recommendations for which type of surgery/available surgeons and approx wait times.  Your family dr then refers to that surgeon and asks for approval from MB Health so the cost would be covered for a consult visit and then another letter for approval for the surgery.

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 offers assistance to help cover transportation costs related to getting medical care in another province, http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/travel.html.  My airfare for the consult appt then my airfare for the surgery and all medical visit costs were covered, you pay the airfare and then submit your tickets/bills for reimbursement.  Hope that helps. 

Diane
Wpg MB

 As a an added note.
Dr. Nohr is now recommending that someone come with you at your surgery time.  MB Health will also pay for the airline ticket for your escort as well.  A letter to your Dr. from Dr. Nohr is needed and your Dr. will have to apply for this with MB Health.
I am 2 weeks post op and didn't have issues with this at all.
I'm down 23 lbs. and beginning to see the other side of life, lol.
Good luck to you, and if you want to chat please free to contact me.