Need Help!
Hi
I am currently on 2 lists for WLS in New Brunsick. My family doctor has recommended that I outsource surgery wait times in other provinces, the US or even Mexico. This really scares me but my BMI is around 72. If you can give me an idea of how long of a wait it is in other provinces etxc I would really appreciate it. I called Medicare in NB and they advised that they will pay for surgery in another province except Quebec but I need to find a doctor, then have my family doctor and the surgeon write a letter to the NB Medicare board to ensure payment would be made. I'm lost at where to start so I thought I know...the great groups on OH can help. I'm even considering going self pay if necessary
Thanks
Angela
Angela
I know you mentioned you might have to consider self pay - I just wanted to give you my surgeons website - Dr Christou offers
RNY- VSG and the Lapband
He is now a totally private bariatric clinic - and of course in Quebec (Montreal)- so either way Medicare would not cover the cost of surgery. I was self pay.
From what I have seen with patients on the Ontario board looks like he is about a 3-4 month wait for surgery currently - I was under a 3 month wait last year - I contacted him in March- sent my application into him in April and had surgery June 10 2008.
I know that he has definitely done WLS on patients with very high bmi's .He is one of Canada's leading WLS surgeons and is very experienced and skilled.
www.weightlosssurgery.ca
If I can answer any questions just let me know - you are in my prayers.
Take care of yourself
deb
STARTING 2010 WITH A BANG! 160 LBS LOST!
WLS JOURNEY: HW-292/SW-273/CW-132-GOAL 125LBS
WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT - ME - 132 LBS ! omg
- Happy to be Brenda B's angel !
I think you are very smart to grab the bull by the horns and either get it done on medicare or self pay. I chose to self pay and still pay for my bank loan 3 years later, but man...best money I ever spent.
I know it is a long way for you to consider...but I feel that my Dr. is one of the best in the world, and with your BMI I would want to know that your surgeon is used to this type of thing. One of the reasons I chose to go to Frankfurt and self pay was my local Surgeon was keen, but I would have been one of the largest he had ever operated on. And he was not used to the DS either, so two strikes against him.
I would really exhause the opportunities in Canada first, but it is something to consider. but that said...one nice thing about Dr. Weiner is he does ALL the surgeries. So, you have options right up until you go under to discuss what is the best for you. VSG is very popular in Europe and many are going down that road now.
The other thing you could try is to find a surgeon in a close state that you feel fit the bill..and go back to medicare to fight. Never know.
Good Luck, And just think... next summer you could be way smaller! It makes this surgeon search all worth while!
Take Care,
Catherine
DS Surgery June 2006, Been fine every since. Weight stays the same. Rarely remember I had surgery.....except for the daily vitamins.
Hi again..
I was trawling the Canadian Bariatric Society and suggest you contact some of these guys, they will know who in Canada is doing this surgery.
http://www.cabps.ca/members/list.aspx?type=1&menu=20&app=75&cat1=221
It gives you a few names of some Drs to search on.
this guy has interesting site..
http://www.drsharma.ca/
DS Surgery June 2006, Been fine every since. Weight stays the same. Rarely remember I had surgery.....except for the daily vitamins.
Before I went to see Dr. S. I had thought of doing self paid too and this is the Dr. that I recommend Dr. Christopher S. Cobourn, MD, FRCS. I had my phone consultation with him and he seem very genuin.
My cousin had the lap band done by him in 2008 and he said he did a really good job and he was the one that had recommended me to this clinic and this Dr.
The location of this Dr. in Mississauga, Toronto and here is the website http://www.obesitysurgery.ca/contact.php
Hope this helps!!
Lynn
