Came for the DS, left with the VSG

Hi everyone, I had a VSG done July 2, 2009.  I stopped losing weight at about 18 months out.
I originally wanted the DS when I started searching WLS, but was told that OHIP wouldn't cover it and I was going to put up a fight.
I recently started looking into Plastic surgery and want to get maximum results.  So I got to thinking that maybe if I got a DS I would get to my goal then get PS done. 
I've been in touch with Dr. Gagner who I would have chose to do my DS originally.  He is able to do the 2nd part of the DS for me.   We are in communications.  At the time I started looking into the DS, Dr. Gagner was working in Florida, then moved to Europe to do surgeries.
Just thought I would add my 2 cents to this.
VSG works for alot of people, but for me I'd like to continue with the DS to get to my goal.
Marilynn

Dr. Gagner may have been doing surgeries in Europe but he moved directly from Florida to Montreal.

Sara, you are further down the list than #3. I often see posts on here that will list Dr. Gagner as the professional that he is (especially for the most complicated surgeries) but also as a 2 part DS surgeon. I also ended up having my surgery in 2 stages. Thank God I was covered through our provincial insurance but I still ended up spending over $2000 just to travel.
Julie, I hope you do better than me with the VSG, I really didn't lose much and drifted back up before my second half. I started trying to schedule pt. 2 after 3 months because that was the first timeline I was given when I woke up (the told 6,9,1 yr). It ended up being 13 months with some heart ache and head aches in between.
I feel bad for the self pay patients. Will you receive a discount on your original surgery to put forward to the second half?
I forgot to say congratulations on making it one step closer : )

Hi Jennifer,

Dr. Gagner says he will put me on the surgery schedule to have the second part done in 6 mos. While I'll get a bit of a discount, it will be nominal - perhaps $2500. Since operating costs are largely the same no matter the surgery, it will cost $15,000 (after discount) to have the second part done. Looking at cashing out my RRSP for that.

Hope you're well,

Julie

Argh, sorry to hear that. Did you meet other OHers on your journey?