cheapest surgery in canada

hello  I was wondering who out there has had a surgery and was covered by manitoba health. I heard that the gastric bypass surgery was going to be free in canada!?!...does anyone have any answers or even if anyone knows where to get the cheapest surgery done in canada?..thanks

you start by going to your family doctor for a referral. The manitoba program has a wait list but its free. you have to meet the criteria which is age 55 and younger, bmi of 47. if you don't qualify they put you on a list in case the criteria changes. you can also get referred out of province there is a doctor in medicine hat named Dr. Carl Nohr who does the procedure and its covered by manitoba health so is the travel cost for you and a caregiver(freind). There is also the Alberta program based out of Edmonton, cant remember the name but its covered by mb health too. I would say Dr. Nohr makes you jump through the least amount of hoops but I hear his bedside manner is lacking. hope this helps Barb

do you know if the lap band procedure is also covered and does dr.nohr do this procedure as weel as the gastric bypass?...also what type of waiting period is it before a person can have this done?..thanks for your info.

from what i understand the lapband is not covered by any insurance.it also doesnt have the success rate that the rny or vsg have.most people who have the band end up goingto the bypass.
sondra

forgot dr.nohr has a cut off of 55 bmi and i think the alberta program is higher at 60.

I just wanted to say as far as the travel coverage....I have been approved for the cost of travel to Edmonton for the consult. There was no mention of covering cost of travel for a caregiver. That may change for actual surgery travel but I have not seen anything.

I believe the dr. needs to advise you need a caregiver and you dont for the consult.  I believe that is how it went when I went for my surgery.