Montreal Newbie: What do I do now?

Hello... I have made my profile a little while ago but I am only now posting for the first time. I just came home from the doctor(family doc). I have a referral to see Dr. Christou at the Royal Vic hospital. From my online research I have found that the waiting list is 10 years+.... Is this true? Is there another option? Is this my only option if I don't have privet insurance? Should I get privet insurance, will i get surgery faster?? Thanks in advance

Part 1
www.globalmontreal.com/wait+times+lag+behind+goals+for+baria tric+surgeries+in+quebec/6442586404/story.html

Part 2
www.globalmontreal.com/quebecs+bariatric+surgery+wait+times+ a+doctors+perspective/6442587286/story.html

 Hi there -

There is a 3 year wait list for vsg with Dr. Atlas.  It is paid for by Quebec provincial insurance.

 Dr. Christou is no longer doing bariatric surgery through the publicly funded route.  He would be retired by the time your turn comes up. He is private surgeon for the past few years.  If you want to pay for surgery with Dr. Christou, you can have it done within a few months.  If you are wanting your surgery to be covered by public system, I would suggest a referral to one of the other surgeons like Dr. Garneau, Dr. Denis or Dr. Atlas, but be prepared to wait 2.5 - 3 years.

Here is a link to a recent video interview with Dr. Christou regarding wait times.

http://www.globalmontreal.com/quebecs+bariatric+surgery+wait +times+a+doctors+perspective/6442587286/story.html

Good luck!

Elena

Is Dr.  Atlas, Dr. Denis or Garneau also at the royal Victoria, or somewhere else?  thanks

 

Hi Newbie...

I concur with what Elena has said about Dr.Christou. As for Dr. Garneau (my surgeon) I was told by his bariatric nurse a few weeks ago that the wait time now is 3-4 years so a bit longer than thought.

Having insurance will open the door for you and have the surgery done in less than a month. Only you need to find an insurance that would cover the surgery. Or self pay.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Ada

Thank you ladies for the input....

Unfortunately,Self pay is not an option for me. But I am shopping around for an insurance company that will cover the surgery.. Does anyone know of a company to recommend that covers it?

 I've never ever heard of any Canadian insurance that covers this surgery - because it is provincially covered...I'd love to hear if its out there.  Otherwise it's just dealing with the terrible wait times.  Ontario is doing much better.  I live close to Ottawa/Gatineau border, and honestly if I was just in the beginning process, I would move to Ontario and wait 1 year vs stay in Quebec and wait 3+ years.  I've been waiting since Sept 2009, and last time I called they said I would probably get my call September 2012.

Elena

Hi there!  Just joined tonight and reading all the material the site has to offer.  I called a surgeon 6 months ago and my consultation was this past Wednesday.  I am seeing Dr. Pierre Leclerc at the Hotel Dieu hospital.  My surgery will be scheduled for sometime in September or October. 

If you are an Ontario resident, the Ontario Health Care system will pay for you to have the surgery by Dr. Christof.  It is covered by OHIP and from what I heard Dr. Christof welcomes Ontario residents.

I think your waiting time is not very long because your getting the ring.. Gastric bypass is allot more popular... I don't know your case but, unless you may be considered a special case, for medical reasons?

Damn this province and all it's BS... 1 more strike against them. I am SERIOUSLY debating relocating to Ontario. If I was a resident of anywhere but here in Quebec, they would pay for me to have it anywhere. But because this is the lovely province Quebec, they do have enough doctors or money to do are surgery in a timely fashion, but they will dammed if they pay for us to go out of province

Heard recently through the grapevine that wait times aren't too bad at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Less than 2 years it seems.

 Since Quebec is paying I think the waiting time is shorter. I did go for the information meeting at Royal Vic and 3 months after I had the By-Pass so I really think its goes faster 
You should try and see, ask for mary she is the secretary and she is the best. 
good luck.