Hi I am new to th...

Hi I am new to the forum- not new to obesity. I weigh almost 300lbs and I am 5ft tall. I just got back from my drs. today and discovered that msi (my medicare) here in nova scotia will not cover any bariactric surgery in Ontario. My bmi is almost 55. I am only 41 years old have high bp and chronic osteo arthritis in my knees and back....... so I am in pain constantly and I am on a lot of medication including meds for depression. My dr. has gotten other patients approved so she was sure with my bmi it would be no problem however due to the new 2 or 3 drs. opening this new weight loss clinic in halifax - msi replied that I have two options moncton or halifax.......... I am sure the wait even with the new Halifax clinic is going to be very long because of the amount of people who have been waiting such a long time - years! I guess I was kinda stunned that msi rejected me and now tonight I am wondering things like how do I find out how long a wait will it be at the new clinic - my doctor followed msi's instruction and referred me to both clinics- halifax and moncton as per there instruc.......... she is not sure of who the new drs in halifax are - and if there is a clinic as such or if they will just operate out of the QE II Hospital ? Does anyone have any suggestions - my dr. told me to hang tight but I feel like I left her office without getting all my questions answered ......... seeing my family dr again before the next month is impossible she is so busy that May 2nd is the soonest appt I could get. I checked out the QE II website but do not see any bariactric section. Does anyone out there have any advise for a newby............ how do I keep up the fight - I have read some posts that say appeal the msi decision- if they are saying we have 2 options in your province and will not pay for a private clinic in ontario- what grounds do you appeal on? So does anyone have the names of the clinic Drs for Halifax or more info. Those who have been on the Moncton list with Dr. B do you know where you are on the list and how far away that puts you for a surgery date- will they give you that much info? I know a lot of you are past this stage but I so would appreciate the help...... I have read the past posts but nothing is current enough to address all of my questions. Especially now that Halifax is going to have a wls clinic again. I thank anyone in advance for all your advice and experience. Deb trying to start my journey to health

Hi I had been waiting a LONG time to have the surgery. I have tried right across the country and the states. My province (PEI) wouldn't pay for the states. I was on the very long list for Dr. MacDonald in Halifax, didn't even know he retired! All the other provinces were a 5 to 7 year wait. When I heard of Dr. Ellsemere setting up in Halifax, I jumped on it. I have a date for June 3rd! (it is for the gastric sleeve) My doctor sent the referral in December. I didn't do anything about it until March. I got an appointment to see him and the nutritionist in April, they were booked for May and I was the next person to have the surgery! It wasn't until I got agressive that things started to happen. So here is my advice. First, you need a letter from your doctor to be sent to Dr. Ellesmere's office. (His assistant's name is Diane) But, the best person you are going to talk to is Diana Lawlor. On their website she is the contact person and she got things going. I believe that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. It is very true in this situation. One thing to note, that many may not know. Dr. Ellsemere doesn't have a list, if he meets with you, you are in, in about a month after for your surgery. So, sister, if you get your appointment and are a good candidate, voila! But you have to keep following up. Find lots of reasons however small to keep the lines open. Let them know how serious you are. Write a very sob story autobiography. Short of course. They want to know how this is affecting your everyday life. Be brutally honest. Let them know that you are aware that this is part of your weight loss program, not the only answer. You will have to go on a liquid diet for a week before your surgery to see if you can handle it. Don't give up. don't stop contacting them. Find out who is the government contact for your approval. Hound that person to. From when the letter leaves your doctor's desk (yes follow up on that to!) track who it goes to and keep following up. Be proactive, whatever needs to be done, do it before it needs to be done. This is your health and your life. Let them know it means something to you. Make it mean sometihing to them. And know that you are worth and deserve every effort you and they make on your behalf, and good luck!