Hi i live in saskatoon and am looking at getting wls.I am 228lb lost almost 20lb in 8 weeks and have a consultation in may for a tummy tuck.I know i have lots more to lose but i am desperate and depressed.Does saskatchewan health cover the cost of wls?.My other question is if i were to pay for the wls myself would sk health pay for any other ps i may need in the future ie tummy tuck etc as there is no way i can afford both.How much does the surgery cost and how long is the waiting list if i pay for it myself.Also i cant find much info on it so what would be my first step. Thank you Donna

Hi guys, I got the lapband a little over 9 months ago, and so far I've lost 96lbs. I'm down to 188 from 284... a size 24/26 to a size 14/16. I'm still losing, and my ultimate goal is to lose half of my weight, which would make me 142. I'm getting there! I was banded by Dr. Cobourn in Missisauga, www.lapband.ca ... while living in SK. I had to pay for it... $15,000. It's now $16,000. I've never regretted getting it done, and would recommend it to anyone. You have to know that it's not easy... you do have to work at it. I can eat bad things that are not condusive to weightloss, but I now chose not to. Could I have done this before? Obviously not. I can eat pretty much whatever I want, just much, much less than ever before. Good luck to all of you.

Hi Kim, I'm happy that you have found this web site. It was extrememly helpful when I was searching for information on which surgery would be the best for me. I didn't want to run the risk of any surgery failing, having complications, or re-gaining my weight back over time, or even having to have a revision done some time later. I wanted to find a surgeon with a lot of experience, no mortality rate, and someone with a sincere desire to help obese patients. I wanted to be able to take my arthrotec for my arthritis if I needed to. I didn't want to have to live with vomitting or be in the bathroon constantly. I wanted to live as close to normal of life as I could and be able to eat almost anything in moderation. So having said, that the surgery that was right for me was the bileopancreatic duodenal switch, and I went to Brazil for Dr. Marchesini to give me the medical intervention that I knew that I need if I wanted to have a good quality of life. That decision has been the one of the best decisions that I have ever made. Dr. Marchesini took such good care of me while I was there and continues to follow my lab reports. He is only just a phone call/email distance away. Closer than my doctor in my own home town!!!! Sasketchewan's health care sucks!!! Yes, I did have to pay out of pocket because SK health denied my request for any out of country expenses. For my husband and I to go we spent about $20.000. Feel free to email me anytime or I would be happy to give you my phone number if you would like. Are you living in SK? Take care, Kaye

I am looking for guidance and information on weight loss surgery. Seems like we would have to pay out of pocket. I was interested in lap banding. Wondering what others picked and why?? Kim

Hello all, My name is Tess Boehm. President of the Saskatchewan Bariatric Surgery Support Group. I saw by reading posts some names I knew, some new ones I didn't. We have a support group based right here in Regina that offers regular support and help with surgery related questions. We offer a free online newsletter, and our website which is under construction right now. Our wellness program is sponsoring the next meeting on September 17th as we have a dietician coming out to see us. We meet once a month, on the 3rd Sunday. We also meet every Thursday night from 830 pm - 930pm for aquafit. It's PRIVATE pool time, just us so it's a very comfortable setting. For more info, email me at [email protected] and I will get back to you. Thanks, Tess.