advice and experience

hi, i just found this board and glad there is somewhere i can turn to for possible answers to my questions. first off, i am just starting looking for answers. i think surgery would be the best answer to my weight, i have tried alot of diets and havent seen any real long term results. i am at the lower spectrum for needing the surgery but i have a couple of concerns that run in my family and i know thats where my body is headed. :( some of those being, diabetes, athritis, sleep apnea (sp?), high blood pressure for me currently its the quality of life, i know i cant do things that i would like to be able to do with my children. i live in quebec, so any insurance info would be helpful for those that have dealt with it whether you have had the surgery or just started the process. second question was how did the results after the surgery go, who was your surgeon (wait time?) and what if any options are available for the excess skin that you had afterwards? just answer the question in case any one thinks i am wanting this for vanity, totally not so. i know its not the complete answer i would just like my efforts of diet, calorie restriction and working out to have results and last. besides with my stretch marks i dont think it can get much worse. lol just wondering about the options given for the excess skin as i have heard a few people thru the grape vine that they had surgery afterwards for this, and i know that the people wouldnt have been able to finance it themselves... thank you for your help janie

I've only dealt with Dr. Christou in Montreal, and I went the private route because I had no co-morbidities and could not be covered by medicare. The wait on medicare depends on a number of factors. I'm not even entirely sure they're taking any more patients at the Royal Vic since the wait goes anywhere between 2 and 7 years. I went for my consult last January and could have set a date for the following month at the private clinic, but chose to schedule my surgery for last May so that I had time to finish my school semester and such. As for the surgery, there's nothing easy about it, it's absolutely life-changing and you should be sure to have done all of your research before taking the first steps. Excess skin is different with everyone, I've lost over 100 lbs (with just about 20 to go before goal) and aside from my breasts, and my skin isn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be. There are a bunch of plastic surgeon's out there who accept bariatric patients (because many will not!) and some will give you deals if you have more than 1 procedure done. Medicare covers certain things, but they are very particular. If you have any skin problems caused by the excess, be sure to document everything (pictures, dates etc). Sounds weird but they need to see that the skin has to be removed and not for cosmetic reasons. That being said, best of luck! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions!

Hi Janie, New to this board. Looking for support. In Québec the only way out of going the private route right now is having a BMI over 55. In montreal the wait time is about 5 years depending on the comorbities you have. From your posting you are like me and are borderline to some of them. I have a private insurance (premium coverage) and guess what? They don't cover WLS. I am going to try and push the issue though. Nothing to lose. I am with SSQ. I will have some things covered like hospital room, transportation 80%, medical consults with professionals ex. dietician, kinesiologist, psy eval, etc at 50%. Try and see if your insurance covers these things as most of them do. Maybe not the travel but you may live close to Montreal. I live in Gaspé. I am 43 next month and as for plastic surgery well I am not there yet, I am menopausal (surgically induced) so my skin elasticity has changed so I am not expecting much post op. I'll look into it when I get there and maybe things will move politically speaking for bariatric coverage. I got a loan through my bank, a home equity loan where they lend you 80%value of your home minus the mortgage you still owe. The interesting thing is that the interest rate at this time is very low 5% and it can give you more than enough cash in case you need it. My bank TDCanada trust came up with the idea after I couldn't afford the 12% personal loan rate. You do however have to go back and see a notary to get the paperwork done (that cost me 800.00$). It was my best option and at a low interest rate. I thought I would mention it as it may be helpful to others. My consult with Dr.Christou is on March 27th and surgery is planned in May. In Québec city the bariatric team is at the University of Laval. YOu need a doc's referral and the wait time is less than Montreal. Your BMI needs to be higher than 44 though if I am not mistaken. They do have a website with a few details. I know a women in her 40's with leg pain issues is having surgery in 2008 and her wait time was approximately 2 years and it is covered through Medicare. I didn't go that route as they do not do lapraoscopie and I wanted to have a less invasive surgery. Hope this helps, and lets keep in touch.