New Here

Welcome Heather, you've come to the right place to learn and pass on tidbits of information.  Brace yourself for a long wait but make use of that time to really wrap you head around what you are doing.  They can fix your stomach to limit your eating but only you can fix your head.  There is a reason you are overweight and WLS is only a tool and the most successful people start working on themselves at referral, not the day of surgery.  The fact that you are asking questions and researching is wonderful and you will do great if you keep it up, there is so much to learn.  If you are not on a fitness program (even walking) then it might be a good idea to start something, the healthier you are going in, the healthier you will be during the surgery process.

Diane

If you don't meet the criteria for the Manitoba program you can be referred to the alberta program at the royal alexander hospital in Edmonton , I think its called weight wise or you can go to Dr. Carl Nohr in Medicine hat alberta. Dr. Nohr has a bmi cut off of 55 and both these programs are covered by Manitoba health.  I believe Dr. Nohr only does RNY, but the Edmonton program may do the sleeve as well as RNY.  I think the Edmonton program has a higher bmi of 60.  Barb ( I T K)

welcome newbie!! this is a great place to start, and, i am learning, keep coming to at every stage, im 5 months post op and coming back here helps keep me mindful and in the right head space. edmonton, does up to a bmi of 70 or 75! amazing huh? its a great program, but you do end up shelling out alot of cash, if you want more info on the program, feel free to ask me, or you can check out my blog on here, i havent updated it in months, but it tells abourt each of the trips i had to take to edmonton. but hopefully you qualify for manitobas program. another option thart hasnt been mentioned yet is mexico, dont be afraid of those words, i know when i started out i would have been no way in heck would i go there. but there is actuaklly quite a few gals on here who have been there and it sounds great! my hubby plans on getting his there, once we can afford it. best of luck to you! sure we will get to meet one of these days, 

niki