Need Help!

Hi

I am currently on 2 lists for WLS in New Brunsick.  My family doctor has recommended that I outsource surgery wait times in other provinces, the US or even Mexico.  This really scares me but my BMI is around 72.  If you can give me an idea of how long of a wait it is in other provinces etxc  I would really appreciate it. I called Medicare in NB and they advised that they will pay for surgery in another province  except Quebec but I need to find a doctor, then have my family doctor and the surgeon write a letter to the NB Medicare board to ensure payment would be made.  I'm lost at where to start so I thought I know...the great groups on OH can help.  I'm even considering going self pay if necessary

Thanks
Angela

Hi Angela!

Which surgery are you looking into?  I've been looking into VSG or DS and in all the provinces I've checked the wait is an average of 4 years. Are you on a waiting list with Dr Savoie?  I would make *sure* NB Health will cover out of country surgery first! Sask doesn't.   The US  has much shorter waits but may require pre op testing beforehand.  Mexico seems the fastest but I have no idea about insurance covering surgery there.

No bariatric surgeons in this province; there is a pilot program in Regina but it's full!

rough prices in the us

lap band 10-15k
VSG about the same
DS 20k (one surgeon) to 26k, 35k


Mexico
lap band 6-7k
vsg about the same
ds 15k (one surgeon in spain does it for about 16k also)


hth
Ivy (probably gonna get operated on in the states or mexico myself)

Hi Angela, and Ivy.

The good news is there is a Bariatric Surgeon in Saskatachewan. In fact, as of today, there are now 2 Bariatric Surgeons in Saskatchewan, both located in Regina. I believe that there will be a permanent program in Saskatchewan by the Fall of 2009. Very good news!

I was part of the Bariatric Pilot Project that Ivy mentioned, and I had my Roux-en-Y Surgery on June 22nd, 2009. I've since lost 45 lbs, and a total of 101 lbs since September 2008. Best choice of my life.

There is alot of great information on surgical options and out of country suregons on the website of the WLS Support Group I am President of: www.sbssg.ca.

Check it out, and feel free to e-mail me with any questions. [email protected]

Hi Joel,

So there are two bariatric surgeons in Regina now?  Wow that is great...any word on what the wait time will be like if the permanent program goes into effect?  Or is it too soon to know yet??

Thanks ;)

Hey Joel!
Nice to see you back again! How're you doing?

Do you know which surgeries they will be doing in Regina? I'm just about at the point of either giving up completely or going out of country for a vsg or ds. :(   If they require classes in province I would have to quit my job, there is no way I could take that kind of time off. Not to mention the 3 hour drive!

Ivy

Well Ivy, the program is 6 months long, and you have bi-monthly meeting with a multi-disciplinary team of a Physiotherapist, Nutritionist, Psychologist, Exercise Therapist, The Surgeon (Dr. Kaban), and a Registered Nurse. The program is going to be starting in the fall, and Dr. Kaban, and the new surgeon (his name escapes me) will be seeing patients in September. Making the choice to go out of country is not an easy one. I hope you do what you need to do to get the help you need.

Do you have contact info for the coordinator? Provincial health had never heard of a bariatric program in SK.

I wonder if they're doing vsg!

thanks,
Ivy

Here's the information on the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region's website:

Surgical Care Services: Bariatric Surgical Assessment Clinic

Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region provides Bariatric Surgical Assessment Clinic services in Regina.

As of September 1, 2009, the clinic will be operating out of a new location at 1731 College Avenue, Lower Level (located at the corner of College Avenue and Broad Street in Regina).

Until September 1, the Region will continue to see existing patients in temporary space at the Regina General Hospital until the new clinic is open.

Who is eligible to participate in the clinic?

The clinic is designed to assist in the care of those clients whose BMI (Body Mass Index) is between 40 and 60. In certain instances, clients with a BMI between 35 and 40 may be considered for treatment at the clinic, particularly if they have 2 or more additional conditions which are being managed, such as:

• Cardiopulmonary problems
• Severe sleep apnea
• Severe diabetes mellitus
• Physical problems interfering with lifestyle

You must be between the ages of 18 and 60, must be a non-smoker and cannot be pregnant, lactating or become pregnant to be admitted to the clinic.

How does the clinic help you?

1. You must first contact your family doctor to discuss your eligibility for this clinic.
2. Your family doctor will assess your condition and, if he/she feels you may benefit from the surgery, he/she will refer you to the RQHR Bariatric Surgeon.
3. You will be assessed by the RQHR Bariatric Surgeon and, if considered to be a good candidate for the surgery, you will then be referred to the Bariatric Surgery Assessment Clinic.
4. At the clinic, you will work with a multi-disciplinary team of health specialists.
5. To be considered a surgical candidate, it is mandatory that you:
   • remain in the program for a minimum of six months,
   • have attended all assessments, appointments and all three support group meetings, and
   • have maintained or lost weight.
6. Your request for surgery will be reviewed by the team. If all criteria are met, you will be placed on a surgical wait list.
7. The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass will be the surgical procedure performed. Following your surgery, your length of stay in the hospital is expected to be four days.

All client assessments, group sessions and related treatments will be conducted and performed at the Bariatric Surgery Assessment Clinic located in Regina. All surgeries will be performed at the Regina General Hospital.

For more information about the Bariatric Surgical Assessment Program, please call the Region's Surgical Waitlist Enquiry Line at (306) 766-5241 or toll-free at 1-866-622-0222.