Timeline for Gastric Bypass????

So this whole time while researching and planning on getting lapband...and accepting that it will cost me 15k, I just found out MB health covers the cost of gastric bypass and this is somthing new to Winnipeg. Can anyone tell me how long the process is from the first initial meeting until surgery date? Someone told me a year...and I was really hoping for sooner....if I even get accepted.

i was referred in June 2010, i had my first meeting with Dr.Vergis in january of 2011....now from what i hear the wait from referral to first meeting is a year i believe. :(  sucks i know but worth it in the end. Hope that helps..Good Luck

Oh wow...a year is a loong time to just have the first meeting! Yikes! I don't know if I can handle being like this for that long!!!

I know it does seem like an eternity when you first think about it. Believe me I thought it would never come. But now a few months later I have a surgery date set for 2 months from now. I'd look into local program and out of province which MB health also covers. I'm going out of province.

   

Hi Mandine.  I was refered by my doctor in December 2010 (However the surgeon's office claimed they didn't receive my referal until February)  I had my consultation with the surgeon Sept. 9th and once that was done the ball started rolling.  Since then I have had a full physical from my doctor, a barium swallow, and I met with the nutritionist and psychologist.  All of that was completed last week.   I don't have a surgery date yet but I'm confident it will be in the next 2-3 months (fingers crossed).  So if we go by the date the surgeon received my referal, the whole process should take very close to one year.    It's worth the wait.  

True, when you think about it in that way. I am seeing my doctor next week and I will ask her to refer me. Is it difficult to get accepted for this? Thanks for the replies! This really helps. I am meeting with the surgeon from the Maples Surgical Center on Tuesday regarding the lap band. Surgery is tenatively booked for Feb. 14, but I really think I should look into this program aswell before comitting to one.

 i was in your shoes awhile ago. if you still want lapband you can get it covered if you are refered to edmonton weightwise program. but it looks like you've been researching and you may be changing your mind? i did! i wish i was having my surgery done here, but im not going to complain. im happy to be going for it at all, and having it covered by mb health. i am going for the rny. after researching i decided it was the best! and i want the best! lol. if you can get refered to the program here, youd save a lot of $, you could always put that $ towards plastics later on..? 
there is a criteria you have to fall into to get it done here, i personally did not meet the criteria, my bmi was to high. thats why i was refered to edmonton. mb health covers the plane fare, but not hotel ,taxi or food. it is costing us a few bucks. the surgery and clinic fees are all covered. apparently they have cut their wait times to 6 months in edmonton. definatly research nyour options and make an informed decision. what ever you decide will be right for you!
best of luck!
niki

Unless there have been any changes in the last few months, this was the original criteria here in Manitoba.

Patients must meet the following criteria:

1. Female
2. Age under 55
3. BMI under 47 and over 35
4. Miminal comorbidities

Heck..I'd get on the waiting list here, save the 18 grand and buy a serious new wardrobe, and/or a car, and/or a vacation...etc..etc...etc. 

 Hi 

So I thought I'd give you the links for Weight Wise in Edmonton and MB Health. If you really are set on Lapband then give a good look into Edmonton as they do all three options Band, VSG, RNY. MB Health covers the band only in Edmonton. 

http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/oop.html  
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services.asp?pid=service&rid=1008784

I am just looking for the best option, but I have put this off for two years now...was supposed to get the lap band done sept 1, 2009 and I backed down. I really don't want to pay the 15k, but I feel like a year could be dangerous for me, unless I can start losing on my own. I am 120 lbs overweight and feel terrible. I'm 30, feel more like 60!!!!!! I am a single mother so money is an issue and that is why i didn't go through with it the last time...but to me...money is only money if it helps me be a better mother and feel better and healthier!!!!! Thanks for the info though!!! I appreciate everything. I went down to the St.Boniface Surgical Associates today and spoke with Andrea. The timeline isn't ridiculous, but it also depends on if you meet the criteria or not.