New to forum

Hi Amy;

I would suggest talking to your physican now because he/she will be able to help you decide what route is best for you. If you don't yet qualify in Manitoba because of your BMI, you will in time. This first round of surgeries is a "test run". Also, the surgeons are new, so they want to get a bunch of successful surgeries under their belts before they take on people who are higher risk. The plan is to open up the criteria, possibly within the year.

If you really feel that you cannot wait, there is the possibility of going down to Mexico. Some people on our forum have had their procedures done in Mexico, and are very happy with the care they received. It all depends on whether you can afford it or not.

I researched quite a bit myself and decided on the RNY. I don't regret my decision one bit!

Good luck!

Tanya

I will sstill ask her about the surgery options and stuff.  Going to Mexico is definately not in my budget right now as I have two young boys and a few other things as well.  So right now it is just not a possible budget allowence (even tho they say it is a small price to pay for the life you get back) which is true but at the same time its still a lot of money to come into contact with.
Thank you again and I guess I'll be holding out for when it is available for higher BMI patients.

Hi welcome to the forum! There is also the possibility of having the surgery done out of province if you don't qualify for the MB program. There are 2 woman on this forum going to medicine hat for surgery right now.
You can consider getting referral for out of province surgery. may as well get on that waiting list as well MB wait list for patients not meeting the criteria, and hopefully MB will open up the criteria in the meantime....

I am going to talk to my doctor and see what she recommends and then go from there, in the mean time its low cal diet and lots of walking (which I did an hour of with my son today and feel great).  So we will see what I can accomplish while I am waiting :)
I considered going out of provience but travel costs are not really in the budget but it is definitley something I am going to consider as well.  Thank you for mentioning it I never really put too much thought into going elsewhere.

Hi Amy!

My name is Michelle. I got my surgery done in Winnipeg.

I agree with Tanya. They are wanting to open up the criteria. They are looking to get more funding for the program. I would get your referral in first and then do your research. The waiting list is getting longer with more people hearing about the Winnipeg program. You can always change your mind if you decide you don't like your option.

In Winnipeg you can get either the RNY or the VGS.

Mich

So I just talked to Julie and she has no news of the program being expanded anytime soon. She said as the Dr's get more comfortable doing the surgery they will look at opening the criteria but this also depends on Manitoba Health increasing their funding.

I did ask about getting my BMI down to 47 and she said definitely the Dr  can re refer me with my new weight and BMI when that happens.

I have like many of you written to the government about my concerns and hopes for this program but after a month, still have not received a reply. I sure hope they are listening to us and considering more money.

Karen

Well that is unfortunate that they are not sure as to when they might open up the criteria, I am going to work on losing some to get to where I need to be and have the referral.  I am hoping eventually they will open it up.  Either that or I have to wait and go elsewhere in hopes of being that skinnier me, either way I am not going to give up and think too negitively on the subject because I know that when the time comes I will be ready to change my life (not that I'm not ready now)

do the doctor thing first asap then that will get the ball a rolling i too was imbarressed to to go to my doctor wasting to much time you will still have to wait for any program my program is through edmonton and it has been almost 3 years and your a lot younger dont wast any more time i really regret the time i wasted good luck in this process