Winnipeg Bariatric program

Hi I'm brand new to obesityhelp, it was suggested by a friend.  I had noticed that people have been posting that the Winnipeg program is "up in the air" of sorts.  I was at the dietician on Thursday and she is employed by the WRHA, she advised me that the job postings have gone up and that the bariatric program is no longer considered a pilot project.

This all came about because St Boniface referred me to a Toronto surgeon who is no longer practicing so I requested a referral to Edmonton.  I've completed my 6 months required lifestyle counseling but the dietician wasn't given any direction regarding progress reports.  I was rejected (and yes it felt like rejection!) from the pilot project because my BMI is too high and I have a number of chronic health conditions.  If I had the money, I'd go international but I need to have the surgery covered.  I was given approval by MB Health for Toronto but.....  who knows!

Anyway, I just wanted you guys to know that things look positive.

Wishing everyone better health

Welcome!  So glad you came here... it's a great forum. Plus you posted what you told me and saved me from doing it after you told me .

I wonder what will happen to the wait list? are they opening up the criteria? will the surgeries go faster now ?

I'm at the point as insane as it is  at this point. - of going to mexico. My knees are killing me, my back is sore, my A1C is elevated and I want this done ASAP.  If I knew how long this was going to take , I feel like I could make a better decision.

I am so with you on that one Rainyone..I have done hours and hours of research on Mexico and Im pretty set with going there instead of waiting on Manitoba.  If I could just get any kind of idea on the wait times, that would definitely help me with my decision. The thought of waiting  between 3-5 years and then possibly be denied (Ill be so close to the age limit) is unbearable.  And borrowing thousands of dollars is a hard thingto do but will be sooo worth it. 

My sister from manitoba and cousin from b.c. Just had gastric sleeve in Tijuana Mexico.  Best place ever.  Cost 6100.00 Canadian.  Worth it if u want it now.  

Wait times are about 18 months from the time your GP sends in the referral. Hope this helps.

Sorry to burst your bubble Michelle, but apparently one of the surgeons just went on mat leave so the wait times have been bumped to 3-5 years. No word yet on any expanded funding or OR times. I have tried to ask Andrea at the clinic if she has heard anything new, but until the government reviews the program andmakes any changtes, this is what the reality is.

 if it no longer a pilot program count on at least 3-5 years. I was told that from the start.

I can tell you that when I spoke to Andrea in February after being rejected by Regina, she indicated that they hoped to be starting with men and then opening the criteria in the next 6 months. She also said that women would be called that are on the waiting list but it was hard to know how many would still be looking for surgery and that would of course move the waiting time around. My personal hope is that some women have gone elsewhere or changed their minds and my name will come up sooner.
I am trying to stay postive and increasing my exercise, logging food etc in hopes that this will help when my name comes up.