Need Help!

Hi

I am currently on 2 lists for WLS in New Brunsick,  Canada  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

The wait lists in Ontario are pretty long as well unfortunately - though I'm told they are improving.  Many, many people go to the US from Ontario for surgery. 

What surgery are you planning on having? With the BMI of 72, have you looked at the DS?  I went to Michigan at the end of May to have the DS.  I decided I wanted surgery last November.  SO from application to surgery it was approximately 6 months.  I was approved to have surgery in early February and had my consult with the surgeon on February 9th.  The surgery was originally supposed to take place on April 8 but I had to have it delayed because I needed treatment for sleep apnea before I could get surgery.  So I could have gotten it approximately 2 months after my consult.

I think many surgeons have the same approximate amount of time between consult and surgery - but if you need surgery sooner due to special cir****tances I'm sure the surgeon would fit you in.

If you need more information about the DS, my surgeon or anything else, let me know and I can try to help you as best as I can!  Feel free to PM me.

I had my surgery in Bangor, Maine at a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Had my first information meeting last October and surgery on May 15th.  It took about 7 months from the beginning.

With a BMI of 72, you should seriously consider the DS instead of the RNY.  The research fully supports the DS as a more viable long term solution for someone with an extremely high BMI.  My surgeon recommended it - I had it done lap with no complications and I'm extremely happy with the results so far.  None of the psuedo-horror stories you sometimes read in the "surgery wars" here.  It came down to this:  I'd read too many RNY's wanting a revision to the DS because they'd regained the weight or not lost what they'd hoped to lose.  I'd lost weight lots of times in my life, but always regained and more.  I was sick of the roller coaster and wanted a serious solution to this forever.

I'm sorry that I don't have any information for you about the medical situation there, but I would really recommend that you explore the research on the DS option.

My bmi was over 80 and i had the rny and i think i have done well i have lost 251 pounds in 17 mths, 30 pounds was excess skinso 231 total.
I did attend a seminar with my bff a week ago and the doctor there recommends the sleeve to his extremely obese patients to lose some weight and then he does and rny if needed.
It confused me alittle but i amhappy with my rny .
good luck