Process in NB is long and painful

Hi guys, Well i have made the step. Being obese for most of my life i have made the conscious choice to have the bypass done. It's been 2 years since I have gotten the gutts to talk to a doctor , my best friend, about my weight problem. I have asked her if she was in my place if she would do the surgery and she said she would in a heart beat. I have been to a pneumologist to start the process. We he was an idiot. His answer was that since I had no high blood pressure, no diabetese, no heart problems that i wasn't qualifying. But he seemed to forgot i have a BMI of 59.1% and sleep apnea and my knees are starting to bother me. The pneumologist sent me home telling me to come back in 6 months. I went back and waisted my time for over 1h30. He actually told me a story about the Ice Age. No need to explain that it didn't make sense and I lost patience and stormed out. And as a result i lost 1 year because he screwed around with my patience. I have had all apointments with Dr. Beausoleil. Wow what a releif. He's a great man, nice, and most of all he is non-judgemental. He has accepted me in the program and has refered me to another pneumologist. I can't wait for this to move. I guess i don't really have a question or statement right now.. I just wanted to introduce myself and hope that i will be able to join in the discussions as well as ask questions soon. Thanks :) Angela

Did you have to see Dr Beaudry in Moncton before being referred to Dr Beausoliel. Maybe that's what Dr Beaudry was - a pneumologist and here I didn't even know(I think he is now that I remember the sign at his office!!!) I saw Dr Beaudry 2 years ago - I think it was in May 2004 - definitely in July as I have his card with the date written on it. So it's been 2 years waiting for me to see Dr Beausoliel. I go tomorrow for my first appointment with him. I'm interested to hear first hand answers to my questions. Do you have any idea when your surgery will be? What type are you opting for? Welcome to the board -- I'm brand new here myself. Krista

Hi Krista, Yes i saw Beaudry.. I didn't like his attitude. But do not worry about Dr. Beausoleil. He is an amazing person. He has all the qualities that a person needs for this surgery. It is a delicate subject and it isn't easy to make someone understand how serious obesity is. Dr. Beausoleil is very professional and i personally felt comfortable discussing this subject with him. He will answer all the questions you have. I don't know if you went already or going tomorrow.. but i suggest you fill out a list of questions you want to ask him and his staff. When I first saw Beausoleil he has put me on a program for six months where i had to be followed by a dietician. I have made an aggrement with the dietician in Moncton (Rinette... is a sweet heart) to be followed in Fredericton. There is a dietician here that is available for WLS now. I have seen Beausoleil 3 times and 2 weeks ago he has sent a letter to refer me to Dr. Mallet (pneumologist) i think. Now i am waiting for his appointment for approval then next step will be medicare. So if i am lucky it could be done whithin the next 9-12 months. As for the procedure.. i think the bypass will be the best bet for me.. Let me know how things went for you. Take care Angela

Nice to meet you Angela..I have to agree with you in thinking this is all pretty frustrating..but from what I am told..it will be well worth it in the end. One of my best friends is overweight as well and we have this saying..*Keep yer chins up* Now I'm sure if it ever came from anyone but us, we'd take offense but it's acceptable from us So Angela...... *Keep yer Chins up* talk soon Carol

Hi Angela My name is Pam and I actually go to see Dr. B. for the day long information session. The fact that you've already seen Dr. B is quite an achievement. I was approved via medicare a year ago and have been on the "short list" for the surgery for the past 2 years and on his list for surgery altogether for the past 3 years. I had my consult with him on July 10th, then the next step is the day long session for information and testing and then the final step the surgery itself. So your time is actually quite fast. I do hope you get approval from medicare...if you get a good doctor to write your letter for medicare you're almost guaranteed to get approved. My endocronologist wrote the letter for me when I informed her I was interested in it, without me even knowing and I found out the next time I went to see her that she had sent it already. I got approved the second time around, couldn't the first time because I hadn't yet been under a physician's care for a year.