Hi

Hi Everyone 

My name is Holly.  Today I talked to my GP about getting the lapband surgery.  Unfortunately I had been quite active and lost a fair amount of weight before I had 2 hip injuries and a foot injury that now keeps me from exercising (at this weight).
She said the lapband surgery wasn't covered by MB. Health but that she could submit a referral for the bypass surgery.  I'm not so sure I want to have such a dramatic surgery and wondered if maybe I could get some insight from some of you here.

I'm also curious as to how long the wait was before you were called for an interview and what the interview entails.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks
Holly

 You should really research both the RNY and the sleeve as those are the options covered by MB Health.
I had RNY, but only because at the time that was the only option open to me.  
So far, my results have been great.  I am more physically active then I've ever been.  I lost 130 lbs (with hopes to lose about 15 more).
The best advice I can give to you is that any surgery isn't a magic pill.  We are given a tool and it's up to us to use that tool effectively.  If you remember that, then you should be very successful.
There are side-effects for all surgeries.  Take the time to look at all the pro's and con's and then make your decision.  Don't let your GP railroad you into anything you're not sure about.
I have some wicked short term memory loss that drives me insane, and apparently my calcium is low so trying to incorporate even more pills to my day.  BUT I still don't have any regrets and that's the most important thing.
There are some great people on the MB Forum and regular Meet & Greet's which I highly encourage you to attend.
Good luck on your decision and welcome to the site!!

Hi Holly, Any questions you may have you can email me.

Welcome Holly;

Once your physician has submitted your application, you can expect to wait at least 6 months for an appointment with a bariatric surgeon. So, that gives you lots of time to research your options. The more educated you are about the available procedures, the better.

I was hoping to have the lap-band surgery done a few years back, but could not afford it. In retrospect now, I am glad. I truly believe that gastric bypass surgery was the right thing for me. Many people on this forum chose the gastric sleeve and are thrilled with the results.

There are many challenges associated with these procedures. The pre-op diet is not fun, but you only have to be on it for two weeks. The hospital staff at the Victoria Hospital were wonderful and so I felt I got excellent care there. My recovery was bumpy because I had a lot of nausea, but I am over that now and feel like I have my life back. The weight loss is happening but it is never as fast as I would like - of course. However, at this point (almost two months out) I have no regrets.

Keep checking in here. This is a fantastic support group.

Good luck in making your decision!

Tanya

Hi Holly,
I too had RNY surgery (like Shroomy, same type, same surgeon).... I did not have any choice of the type of surgery and I had to go out-of-province.  Thank goodness, Manitobans now have some choice and can have it done here.    I found it very helpful to email people on this forum (and the Ontario forum), asking them which surgery they had and the benefits/challenges, etc.  I weighed 286 lbs and although once I was able to lose 80-90 lbs on my own using different ways .... I have never regreted the surgery.... it was scary to consider surgery, go out of province and I did not know a single person (personally) who had the surgery....but I decided to do it.
This forum is an excellent place to ask questions... go to other forums as well... review the types of surgery, its always good to do your own research...
Hope this is helpful.
Diane 

Thank you very much for your responses; much appreciated.  I will do a little reading tonight and see what questions I have for you.  A few of you mentioned being able to get the surgery here in Winnipeg?  When did that happen and did that reduce wait times at all?  Someone told me that the wait to get it done out of province (covered by MB Health) was at least 18 months.  How long from GP referral to surgery date did you all average?

Hi Holly!

I had the VSG(vertical sleeve gastrectomy) on Nov 29th. I am SO glad I did. I am also really thankful that Manitoba offers this surgery. I sent in my application last March and got called for my meeting with the surgeon the week before Halloween. By the time I had filled in my paper work, my doctor had filled in hers, I already had my date. There are more people waiting of course now, but the goal the surgeons have it to do more of these surgeries a week. Right now they are only doing 2 a week.

I agree with what Shroomy said, read up on both surgeries offered by Manitoba health and see which fits you the best. There are side effects for both, although I have yet to meet one person in real life that has regretted their choice. :)

The interview for me was quite straight forward and quite simple. I was asked what my goals for weight loss were, what my lifestyle(eating, exercise) were like and questions about my general health. Pretty much just going over what was on the forms they had me fill out. Don't stress. Some of us had to see a psychiatrist for an evaluation..I did not.

Like you, I had originally thought of the band, but after some EXHAUSTING research and financial considerations..I opted to wait and get into this program. I even had considered moving back to Alberta and living with my parents to be on the list for surgery there. Once I found out about the VSG I even thought about going to Mexico for surgery. It would still have cost less to go there, have a holiday and come home sleeved..LOL

The surgeons here are FANTASTIC and the care you get in hospital is AWESOME! Good Luck and WELCOME TO THE BOARD!