Timeline for Gastric Bypass????

 Understandably you want to be healthy for yourself and your kids. Maybe lapband isn't the best option or maybe it is.. I cannot tell you that. I can suggest is to research all the surgery options covered and where you can go if you don't qualify here since the option to go out of province is available. Feel free to PM me, I'll help out where I can.  

 I should add that there are centres in Canada where costs for lapband are less than 15-18K. That is if you dont mind travelling. 

 Hey -- Just curious, is the wait time for a consultation still a year? I called Andrea a couple of months ago and that is the time she quoted me then, with about another six month wait for surgery after that.  I keep waffling back & forth between spending the $7000 to go to Mexico or waiting and having it done here at no cost...although that's a long wait. 

Hey Dianne.  Is your name at least on the waiting list here in Manitoba?  If not, I would try to get it on there.  By the time you make your decision you could be that much closer to surgery here in the province.  The year really does fly by.    I actually don't think the wait for the consultation is a year.  I think it's more like 7-9 months and then another 3-6 months for the surgery...but don't quote me on that.  That just seems to be the waiting time from what I've been hearing from others.  The surgeon received my referal in February of this year, I waited 7 months for the consult, and I'm hoping to have surgery in the next 2-4 months.

Hi Lori.  That's probably a good idea. I didn't go to my doctor to get him to refer me after I found out about the Manitoba program. Once I was told how long the wait time was, I decided to stick with my plan of going to Mexico.  It would probably be a smart idea, though. I've already wasted a few weeks!!  Who knows, maybe they will get approval to do more surgeries. (Although working in health care, I'm pretty skeptical about that possibilitye!)

Hello, I was just wondering what the time line is for those heading to Edmonton for their surgeries?

 I was refered to edmonton weight wise program in june 2010, had my assessment last month, BUT i was told when doing my "modules" earlier this month that they have decreased their wait times to 6 months. it is supposed to be an excellent program, they've been doing it a long time. the dr who heads it up , dr arya sharma, has founded the obesity network and is quite well known. mb health covers the plane fare and clinic and surgery costs, but not hotel, taxi and food. i was told i can expect to take about 7 trips to edmomton. ive had 2, and have 2 more booked for the end of jan and early feb. my experience so far has been great. if you want to know more about the process you can read my blog or message me and i will be more then happy to share what i know so far, even though im not finished yet. i was told at my assessment that i could be meeting with a surgeon in as little as 3 months.... yay!! i cant wait! it seems i waited a while, but now its all happening so fast. i do worry about being all alone and having to travel by myself after surgery, but im hoping my hubby can come. mb health will pay for an escort if requested by your dr.
best of luck!
niki