Montreal? Toronto?

Hello, I have been actively researching the Lapband and feel I am an ideal candidate. I live in Moncton and thought Dr. Beausoleil only did gastric bypass...I see now there is a long waiting list and long time delay between possible appointments/referrals and the actual surgery. has anyone out there gone to the private clinics in Toronto and Montreal? I know it costs more but the waiting time is not really an issue. Just looking for inof at this point... Christine in Moncton

I know of 3 ladies who went to Ontario to Dr Chris Colburne. I believe they paid about $16,000 but like you said next to no wait.

Hi Christine, I did a lot of investigating and in NS where I am living- I would easy be waiting 6-7 years for weight loss surgery. I have decided on a clinic in Montreal- Dr. Christou. His clinic website is www.weightlosssurgery.ca I contacted them in April for a consult - I will have my consult and surgery in June provided it all works out and I could have had it sooner but I had to get vacation time off- so they seem pretty quick with the out of town list at this time- although I have heard it can get pretty lengthly at times. So far I have been chatting with people on the Quebec forum about the different clinics in Montreal. Dr Christou and his staff are completely bilingual which was important on top of all his credentials as I do not speak french. He performs all the standard weight loss surgeries. The website gives so much information. I had heard of him before but did not realize he had a private clinic that out of province patients can go too. Good luck, Deb

Hi Deb thanks for the response. Things have progressed very quickly for me. I am going to Toronto on May 21 for a consult and Lapband surgery on the 22nd. Yikes. I am excited but scared too. I have spent a lot of time on the phone with the clinic and they have evaluated my medical info. I still worry that I'll get there and they won't do it for some reason. I fit the profile and I am physically and emotionally ready for this. I was worried it might not be "heavy" enough...I am 5'9 and 240 so I fall well into the obese category and my BMI is high. I know that weighing 150 pounds won't solve all of life's problems but I am excited to feel better and look better and not hide anymore. Just "be", you know? I am now trying to find someone to do the follow up care with me when I get home. Heck...I'll watch the fill DVD and do it myself if I have to (kidding...sort of). I have decided that if this thing fails, it will not be because of anything I did or didn't do. I am completely committed and I know it is just a tool. It's a bit humbling to go around begging and borrowing money from my family (besides the loans I will take out myself) but everyone is very supportive. I am psyched! Thanks again for the reply. Good luck, eh? C

Hi Christine .. the SWLC in Mississauga has a person in Fredericton who is supposedly trained to do fills .. It is what I am looking into now since learning that my referral to Dr. B in Moncton which is pretty sad. may take a very long time