Hello folks! A question

Hi everyone.  I am in Ontario and researching having DS, however OHIP is not doing a lot of out of country approvals and DS is not performed in Ontario.  So I hear that there is a new Dr in NB performing this surgery and OHIP can be billed.  So I was wondering if anyone could give me any info about this?  Does anyone know hoe any pre op appointments you need, post op, how long you have to stay there, all of that kinda stuff.  Thanks

Amanda

We have a new surgeon in Bathurst- Dr Marc Savoie, who does DS.  He is just setting up his clinic. He has done the consults, but the clinic with nutricianist, psycologist etc is supposed to open next month. I would guesstimate that you would have to come to Bathurst for a consult with the Dr., an information session, pre-op tests, and surgery. The other Dr that does WLS in NB will not combine or co-ordinate appointments, but I don,t know about Dr S.  Dr S trained under a doctor in PQ, why couldn't you go to him?

I don't think that the surgeon in Quebec performs his surgeries out of a hospital - he only does them at a clinic. OHIP only pays for out of province surgeries done at hospitals, and not clinics. That's why everyone in NB had to pay out of pocket if they went to see the doctors in Ontario for lap-bands - they work out of clinics, and not hospitals. Dr. Savoie is going to be trying to set up his practice at the Bathurst hospital so out of province people won't have to pay out of their pockets to be operated by him. I could be talking out of my butt though. Hope I'm not leading anyone astray.

If Ontario  "Medicare" AKA  OHIP approve, they would pay  for procedures done in NB hospital. If they do not approve thenit is out of the patient's pocket.

Hi Amanda and welcome!

We're all a little unsure about how Dr Savoie works yet as none of us have had surgery with him yet. :-D We don't know how long and takes and such as he is just setting up his practice. I think that the best thing to do would be to call his office directly. Dr. Savoie's office information for right now is: 270 Douglas av
Bathurst, NB E2A 1M9
(506) 548-9960

Good luck, and keep us informed with how you do. You may have more up to date information than we have. :-)

Hello Amanda,

Yes I heard that OHIP is really limiting their coverage for out of country surgeries.  A few of us in NB have had our consult with Dr Savoie in Bathurst and are now waiting for the next step. 

He said we would meet the rest of his staff and have the prep work done about a month prior to the surgery date.  At that time he would also provide the prescription for the 2 week Optifast liquid diet mixes.  I was told (and a couple others on here) that we would have our surgery this winter = so sooner than I had expected!

We are to be admitted the night before surgery and likely stay a week to ensure no complications before he would release us - not sure if it would be any longer if you live out of province.  There is a thread about a week ago about a place one can stay for an extended time (or have your loved one stay while you are in the hospital) at a really low cost.

For after care I am not sure how often he would need to see us but the receptionist did think there may be a email address for the staff/nurse to discuss any questions after surgery etc.  Plus Dr Savoie said that we would have a direct contact phone number for him after surgery should there be any complications after going home and down the road.

As mentioned above your best bet would be to contact the office.  The receptionist has told me that questions may be faxed into the office and the doctor would then answer them - so write up your list and send it through as payment and followup care are certainly important factors for you to consider.

Best of luck, share any new info you get and feel free to visit us on occasion as we like to share any updates so it may help you too!

Merry Christmas,

Thanks guys, maybe I will give a call on Monday.  OHIP just funded a bariatric center in Hamilton and because there will be sort waiting times (at this point) they are sending as many people out of country.  This is pretty unfortunate for those of up who want DS, the new hospital only does RNY.  OHIP will not pay for lap band no matter where it is done, that procedure is not covered.

I was aware of the Dr in Quebec however OHIP will not pay for services in the province (or so I am told).

So I just sent my OHIP forms off yesterday requesting my DS done in Michigan, we will have to see what happens!

Thanks again