Thanks for this post!  I left the meeting with the same intention, but you beat me to it!  Thanks for all the help you offer us!

As discussed in an earlier post, there are 2000 people on the waiting list and only one nurse practitioner, one dietitian (neither of whom are anywhere near full time) and one surgeon.  
It's not the team's fault that the waiting list is so long, it's lack of funding from the Dept. of Health!

We need to start putting pressure on the people who control the funding for the Obesity Clinic to hire more staff or at the very least, make these people full time. 

We are all on here because we have either had surgery or we're waiting, there is power in numbers and we CAN make a difference - and it will only take a bit of our time!!

I did some research and here are six people you should call or write to (and you can add your MLA to that list as well) and demand more funding:

Chris Power
CEO Capital Health
473-2058

Katherine Gaulton
Legal @ Capital Health
473-4193

Dr. Gale Higgins
MSI
496-7145

Nancy Hoddinott
Director of Chronic Disease
Dept. Health
424-5840

Ian Bower
Director of Primary Care
Dept. Health
424-2738
PO Box 488
1690 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 2R8

Ann Yuill
Director of Acute & Tertiary Care
Dept. Health
424-5700
PO Box 488
1690 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 2R8

I couldn't find addresses for the others but if anyone can get them, please post them here.

You may wonder why I put Katherine Gaulton who is in Legal at Capital Health - here's why:  The sleeve is covered by MSI which means you are entitled to it if you meet the guidelines, however, people are having to wait so long that their health is deteriorating and who knows how many lives could be lost by having to wait for so long - people could potentially be suing Capital Health for this - I'm sure this will get their attention!

I wonder if anyone knows how to do an electronic petition?  We could rack up some names pretty quick and send it to each of them - anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this??

Woohoo!!  100 lbs GONE since surgery on July 13 (that's 9.5 months)!!  Did I say WOOHOO??!!    Just 9 more lbs to go to goal!!  

I went to a group session at the Obesity Clinic yesterday and met some very nice people from here & I just wanted to say it was GREAT meeting you all!!  This has been such a  wonderful experience & I feel like I know you all even if we haven't met!  Thanks everyone!
                                                                      

 Wishing you the best for your surgery. Anticipating great things for you. 

Our OH Family is the best!!  :)))  Take care, relax and enjoy your new birthday!!  Remember to take chap stick and have hubby bring a pillow when he picks you up from the hospital so you can hold it over your belly on the drive home - it really cuts down on the jiggling & makes the ride more comfortable.