Come on folks-If you don't do this....

If you don't do your part & write to the Minister & your MLA, don't complain that the government de-listed bariatric surgery!  It's time to stand up & be counted. All of us bandsters stand to lose our fills. It takes expertise to judge these fills. Any of us who have been to the ER for an unfill know just how little other doctors know about the band. I can't imagine going to my local ER.

Done. My letter already sent. Was in on Wed for a fill, the doctor didnt appear very hopeful . He will know for sure in June. The clinic doesnt know what will happen to all us bandsters or where we would get our fills. It is all up in the air till June. This was my greates fear when I first opted to go for the band.

I know what you are saying. When I was in on Tuesday, Lisa was so down. I am going to ask Dr B the same thing about fills on Tuesday.  I am also going ask him if he leaves NB, where would go. On top of that I am going to ask him to consider a revision, other than the band. I have no doubt that he will say no.

 Letter sent. I had to walk away from it a few times as I tended to write in anger rather than being productive.

Took me awhile but it is done. I hope that it makes a difference.

Good for you. I sent mine the other day & I am writing one on my husband behalf as well.  I was just thinking I would e-mail a copy to my MLA too, but I will  wait until the letters are about to be given to the Minister.

As far as I know - MCP - which is the Newfoundland public health insurance that everyone has - STILL covers the cost of RNY to be done out of province as it's not currently performed here. The travel/ accomodation and related expenses aren't covered - but the actual surgery and hospital related costs are. I wonder what willl happen now? As far as the lap band goes - it wasn't covered in the past. And as far as the DS and other wls - I have no idea. I have a difficult time understanding why the NB government would de-list bariatric surgery. I woudn't imagine any big lot of thought or research went into making this decision. I do know that there have been people here in Newfoundland who have had the Lap Band done in Ontario - have taken someone with them who has been trained how to do the fills. Not sure how I feel about that. Just doing a fill or unfill is one thing - understanding and knowing the criteria and pathophysiology behind doing a fill or unfill - that's a whole other ball of wax. My family doctor told me during my last yearly check up - that a company in Ontario had asked her to come up and be trained to do fills/unfills. She wasn't having anything to do with it. All she knows about weight loss surgery is what she has learned from her patients. I do know of one lady here in central newfoundland who has gone back to Moncton for every single fill/unfill. She has the means and time to be able to do that - but I expect many don't. Good luck with this campaign - if you send me the ministers address - I too will do my part!

I suspect that if the surgeries are de-listed, the clinic will close. Dr B said he will leave the province.
This really effects all of us one way or the other.