Soon to be Canadian

Hey everyone!

My name is Rosita, but my Canadian wife calls me Rosie. We both now life in the south of Sweden, but will move to Toronto March 1 next near. Until that happens I'll have a lot of work to do. Next Thursday, October 7, we're going to Stockholm for my Gastric Bypass, and after that a month on sick leave. I'm sure everything is going to be alright, but there will be a lot of changes - and a new wardrobe :-)

I know that you Canadians also have good health care, so I'm not so worried if I'll need some help later, but a couple of things...

What is the Ontario policy for plastic surgery? I'll need to fix my tummy later, and perhaps also other parts ;-) Is that something that is included in the medical?

I'm also planning a knee surgery before I move - if I lose weight fast enough. If that doesn't work out - does anyone know if you can get new knees in Ontario, or do you need to pay them yourself?

Well, that was it for now.  Now it's just waiting for me. I've almost done two weeks with a powder diet and can't wait to be able to taste something spicy again. With just 5 days left I know I can do it!

Hugs from Rosie

Hi Rosie....Hugs from Ontario!!!

In Ontario, we pay for nothing...unless it's cosmetic.
Your knee replacements will be covered 100%
If you have a documented weight loss of over 100 lbs (your Dr. will have it on file)...then the plastics are covered by our health care plan.

We have to pay for medications. However, you may be entitled, as a new immigrant, to partial coverage of your medications (check it out).

When I had my RNY, there were no surgeons performing this surgery in Ontario. My Dr. thought that I would benifit from the surgery. She filled out some paperwork and sent it in to the provincial health insurance (OHIP). They approved the application and paid the full medical expenses for me to travel to New York state to have my surgery! That is just an example of how great our health care is in Ontario!

Take care...travel safe,
---Kevin

Thanks a lot, future neighbor :-)

I'm relieved to hear that the system is even better than here. It's not certain here that we get the plastic surgery. It all depends on how much of a problem the hanging skin is. I will definitely do something about it when I'm done losing wight, but I'm a little scared. I've seen pictures and the scars are so long that I can only imagine (with a shudder) how painful it must be. They say that the thighs are the worst to fix, but like most women I will probably have to deal with that. 

We'll see if I can squeeze in a knee replacement here before I leave in March. It would be nice to have it done, since the system with paid sick leave and vacation is different over there. As far as I know I will need to take unpaid free time if I'm sick or need surgery, and it will take awhile before I can afford that. I won't even have a job when we move, even I hope that you guys can use another social worker.

What is a RNY? Is that some kind of plastic surgery? How was it?

Rosita

Welcome, Rosie and good luck on your upcoming surgery and immigration to Canada!  I am American and have had to wait nearly a decade for surgery b/c of not having an insurer that would cover it.  I now have Medicaid, which is as close as one can get in the US to universal healthcare (I can only get it b/c I lost my job through no fault of my own in January and I have children).  They are paying 100% for my Roux-en-Y as well as before and after care, but I have no idea if they'll pay for the plastic surgery that I will have to have (after having twins in 06 and losing 150 pounds....yikes).  

I wish our healthcare system was as good as Sweden and Canada.  It is seriously bad enough that my girlfriend and I are discussing moving out of the US after I finish schooling for my Nurse Practitioner or MD.

Hey!

My surgery is done and I feel pretty ok. I'm still on liquid food, which of course is boring, but it's best to follow the recommendations. It's hard for an impatient Aquarian though :-)

I'm glad it all turned out well for you, but it's a freakish health care system in the US. I've always wondered why it never changes, but I guess it has to do with the money involved in the insurance business. It's good though that there is something like Medicaid, so you could get the help you needed. Moving is of course an option. I think you can get a Canadian VISA as a skilled worker if you're a nurse. Otherwise you can always come to little Sweden!

I can imagine what losing that much weight + having babies would do with the skin. It seems that there are people who have very elastic skin, but unfortunately I'm not one of them. I have all kinds of sexy stretch marks. My wife used to be a little over weight, but her skin is all firm now. I will try to exercise a lot and also massage the skin with oil, but I know it will only help a little. Well, I guess I'll have to pay something for years of stupid behavior, eh?

Take care!
R

HI,

You have gotten some incorrect information.

In Ontario, the only plastic surgery that is covered is a panni, and only if you have documented issues with rashes, irritation, and mobility issues etc. A panni is basically cutting off the extra apron of skin from below your waist, it isn't always pretty. OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) does not cover anything cosmetic, no tummy tucks, no breast lifts, no removing the bat wings, no mons lifts. Those are all things that you have to pay for yourself.

But the health care is pretty good, aliments that are making you sick are treated.

Why don't you come over to the Ontario board and meet the crew? There are plenty of TO people on he Ontario board.

Catnip

 Thanks a lot, even if it was a bit sad to hear that it wasn't as good as it sounded. Then it's the same as we have here in Sweden. Well, with my coming weight loss I guess I will get what you call an apron :-)

Ontario board - didn't even know there was such a thing. Going there right away!

Rosita
a k a Rosie