Questions about out of province surgery

Hi as you guys know I got turned down by St B for WLS as my BMI is too high. My Dr's office phoned today and apparently he had sent a request to Edmonton for WLS.

I am not sure what to do. The nurse gave me the number to call and I need to call them on MOnday but she tells me I will be required to fly to Edmonton, 9 times before surgery. Is this covered by Manitoba Health? Has anyone had surgery done in Edmonton.

Now, do I commit to Edmonton or do I wait to see what is going to happen here. Surgery here would be so much easier, but if they don't open up the criteria it may not happen.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I wil have to check hubby's schedule and see if I can make it on March 19th.

Thanks,

Karen

Hi, personally, if i was offered surgery anywhere for free right now I would take it!
That is just my humble opinion.
I don't know if the 9 flights are covered. hopefully someone who has had their surgery out of town will answer that for you.

Nine flights WTH.  I only saw my Dr. once pre-op and will have one visit post op?  There is only 3 dietician referrals??? Why nine?  Maybe you can find a NUT here to communicate with the NUT in Edmonton and maybe that way it would decrease the number of trips??? Good luck Karen!

Every DR is different.  I had my surgery in Red Deer and I had to make a visit to the Dr once a month.  MH pays for the initial consult, the sugery and the follow up flights.  You can write the other trips off on your income tax.  And Taxation also pays for your meals.

It is worth every penny, I don't regret doing this at all.  Yes it may be a little more costly out of pocket, but do you really want to take a chance and wait to see if they will open up the criteria here? 

Personally, I wouldn't have the patience to wait.  Why can't you stay on the Man list and still start the process with the Dr in Alberta?  If Man doesn't open up the window, then you can switch if the waiting list isn't too long.

Hope that helps you a bit.

Lori

Hi im new to this forum just looking for lots of info just wondering how did you get taxation to pay for meals ? thanks cheryl

Hi Karen,
           I too was re fered to Regina by my Dr. I had an appointment made with them in early Dec, but had to cancel due to bad weather at that time. Anyways the gal I spoke to told me I would first see a shrink then a dietitian before even seeing the surgeon. So the first app's were going to be two days then I would have to go another for another 8 visits which would be done 2 days at a time. Also they were very strict. You had to be a none smoker or you wouldn't even get an appointment in the first place. I was lucky, cause while waiting to hear back from them I heard from Julie. So I jumped on it. As far as MB health paying for your visits good luck with that too. They told me that I was responsible for all my own traveling costs. You could wait for 2 yrs total from the time of your first visit. What is the wait here now? Good luck to you I know your frustration when you really want something. Good luck with whatever you decide. ~Cheryl

I am with Cheryl on this one.  That was our experience too when we looked into Edmonton.  Long process, many trips, many steps and NO guarantee it will happen in the end!  Add that to the 2 year time frame they quoted, it was not a viable option.  It would have been nice to have things paid for, but I am glad that my husband went private as now we do not have to worry about health issues arising during a 2 year wait, and basically we can get on with life!  Waiting on others or programs is just plain frustrating!  And then if denied later on in the process, how discouraging would that be?  VERY!  It feels good to be able to take control of your own health and not have to wait for the approval of others (my opinion).  I'll not rant any longer...!  Good luck in whatever you decide to do!  We are rooting for ya!
Colleen

I am going to Dr. Nohr in Medine Hat.  I only had to go once for the consult.  Next time I go it will be for the surgery.

From what I hear the Edmonton clinic can be pretty strict like you can not miss a meeting or if you gain any weight your surgery will be cancelled.  (did not experience this myself, purly what I have heard). 

Dr. Nohr, does not have a pre op diet and also will do a skin removal once your wieght has stabalized.  Weightlist can be long with him tho.

No pre-op diet. I hear they can vary but I thought they all had one.

Sue

I have just finished all my trips to edmonton very long process almost 2.5 to 3 years i would have to look at my paper they are very strict you air fare is covered you pay upfront then get it back when you send papers in but hotel,food etc is on you i go mid may to june for surgery i have to go for about 9 days not excited about this 4 days i have to pay for hotel at 100.00 a day if you can get into dr. nohr do it this consumed alot of my life  sure im getting the surgery very happy about that but alot work went in it. Thanks for listening hope this helps anybody wanting to go edmonton