Hello Heather: I am an R.N. that had lapband surgery in Mexico 3 years ago. I am trained to do lapband fills (adjustments) post-op for Dr. Mumford's patients and his partner, Dr. Cobourn, as well as the Mexican surgeons. The patients that I have "filled" that have used Dr. Mumford have been very successful and happy with him. He and Dr. Cobourn are very professional and run an organized clinic. I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice. The important thing is that you made the decision!! Congratulations!! Feel free to contact me at: [email protected] if you have more questions or concerns. Good Luck!!

I am from Saskatoon. I was just approved for RNY bypass in Edmonton at the Weight Wise clinic at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. I was initially referred in March 2006, had my appointment in March 2007 and 6 months later, am approved for surgery. There is no cost to have the bypass as Capital Health (Alberta Health) will bill your home province and it will be covered. However, no other province covers the cost of the Lap Band except Alberta. I tried numerous times., as have others to get Sask Health to cover it and they won't. You would need to pay out of pocket. I asked Capital Health for a quote on this and it is a ridulous amount, much like Ontario. It is about $7000.00 for the hospital stay and the operation. Then you must pay each doctor, anaesthesiologist, and specialist their rate (who knows what that would be?!) and the cost of the band itself is $5000.00. It is $16,000 at a private clinic in Toronto. You would be financially better off to go to Mexico but then there is the problem of finding a doc in your province to manage your care and do your fills. Good Luck! Tanya

Hi I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba and my family Dr. referred me to Dr. Nohr in Medicine Hat, Alberta (on my request). MB Health covered the cost of travel to Alberta in May 2007 for a consultation appt. I have surgery scheduled for March 2008 and MB Health has approved the cost of surgery and travel. (I had to wait from 2004 to 2007 for an appointment) Diane

Thanks Betty Yes I'm packed & ready to go. I have to work this moring but off at noon. I didn't get much sleep last night but can on the drive to Calgary. Thank-you very much and will talk to you when I get back. Thanks again for you support. Penny

Hi Penny, I'm still on mushies for a couple more days, and I think I'm a little scared to try real food. It's a bit hard to get enough protein and calories in on mushies. But then I'm not real creative in the kitchen. There was no shampoo in the hospital, I can't think of too much else you need. The hotel was very nice, very clean, they give you bottled water in the room. there is a nice restaurant in the hotel - they have a lovely chicken broth. We just spent our time walking around the streets - be very careful, the sidewalks are treacherous, holes and cracks and high curbs- and sitting around the pool. There is a grocery store a couple of blocks from the hotel. Dr Kuri's office gives you a list of a few Spanish words that might come in handy, I didn't see the list until we were on our way home. The nurses in the hospital don't speak English, but we managed.