Help me, please!
First, a few tips---try to break your posts up into paragraphs. It makes them much easier to read, and you're more likely to get replies that way. Also, put as much info on your profile as you're comfortable sharing. Knowing this like your BMI, any health problems, etc., will give us some insight and make it easier for us to give you answers that are relevant to YOU as an individual. And it's not "the procedure"---there are four basic forms of WLS being done, and you need to research them ALL in order to decide what's best for you. (They are the LapBand, the VSG/Sleeve, the RNY/gastric bypass, and the DS/duodenal switch.)
I suggest you start with researching the surgery types and decide which one's right for you. Then you can start researching surgeons who are highly experienced in doing the procedure YOU want. There is a South of the Border forum here, for those who have gone to Mexico. I *think* there are also members there who have gone other places outside the US, like Brazil, Spain, Germany, etc. There are also, or al least used to be, and lot of folks on the DS board who went outside the US---that might be a good place to post, also.
You might also check into some of the Facebook WLS-oriented groups. I KNOW there are a lot of out-of-country posters on the DS-specific groups I belong to. If you'd like to PM me I can give you some names.
I had my VSG in Montreal with Dr Gagner. It was perfect. You can get in touch with him easily and he will give you a quote and be able to schedule you long before your waiting period in NB. But this is the self pay option. After care and follow up would have to be done by your regular physician I guess. Dr Gagner is always available by email for his patients. I still send him an update now and then and he always responds within 24 hours or less.
I am curious as to why they are five years out is it due to the affordable health care you have in Canada? I am not knocking affordable health care, but maybe there is an alternate place to have the surgery done. Perhaps the United states if it is feasible for you. It seems to me that in the situation of Bariatric Surgery that there would be a faster process to help patients receive surgeries faster. I know that in my case I was fortunate to have the entire process done in 2 months because my insurance approved it in two weeks.
on 2/23/15 9:46 am
There is an entire sub-forum for people who've had surgery in Mexico, you should be able to get some information from other patients there.
Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!