Here I go....
Been reading this forum for about 2 weeks. Am trying to get approval for surgery but before sending in the application wanted to become more familiar with what I'm getting into.
58 year old male who has struggled with weight from 15 years old. Running around 340 at the present time but have multiple health problems diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure so on.
Found lots of info on here and thank everyone for posting. Not sure what the next step is. I'm from Canada and must get approval for out of country surgery. I know where I want to have it done but not sure if I should place the application first or contact the hospital first?
58 year old male who has struggled with weight from 15 years old. Running around 340 at the present time but have multiple health problems diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure so on.
Found lots of info on here and thank everyone for posting. Not sure what the next step is. I'm from Canada and must get approval for out of country surgery. I know where I want to have it done but not sure if I should place the application first or contact the hospital first?
I have no idea what to advise you about Canadian processes for approval, but wanted to say "Way to go" for at least starting the process. Making that decision is tough, but if you stick to it and work the system, your co-morbidities should (I think) qualify you for WLS. Good luck to you. Can't wait to have you join us on the "loser's bench"...
I don't know if wait times vary based on where you are in Canada. I looked at the Quebec Forum and they mention wait times of 5 to 36 months. I don't know why and this is for surgeries done in Canada. I got the idea that a lot of surgeons take the summer off. Perhaps someone on one of the Canadian forums would be able to help you gauge how long you would have to wait for surgery in the USA.
List your comorbidities, but you should qualify simply based on your weight being 100 lbs over ideal weight.
List your comorbidities, but you should qualify simply based on your weight being 100 lbs over ideal weight.
Are you in Ontario or Quebec? I understand the wait times are much longer in Quebec.. In Ontario there is a central registry. Your doctor should submit your application to the central registry. They will determine where the closest centre is.. and you will start the procedure.. It starts with an information session, where you learn about the surgery.. and then you are asked to decide if you want to proceed. There are a ton of tests that are required. The process from application to surgery takes from 12-18 months.
Canada (well at least OHIP) no loner approves out of country surgery. since the health care system has invested tons of money into gastric bypass centres in Ontairo. The wait time seems like forever, but it does take some time to schedule all the preliminary tests.
I started by visiting a centre in Michigan, just as OHIP was gearing up their programs in Ontairo and had my surgery in Hamilton. Of course unlike our American neighbours the entire process is completely covered by the government health care.. but you have to endure the wait times.
I had my surgery done 15 months ago and it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I've lost 156 pounds and haven't had any complications.
Good luck..
John
Canada (well at least OHIP) no loner approves out of country surgery. since the health care system has invested tons of money into gastric bypass centres in Ontairo. The wait time seems like forever, but it does take some time to schedule all the preliminary tests.
I started by visiting a centre in Michigan, just as OHIP was gearing up their programs in Ontairo and had my surgery in Hamilton. Of course unlike our American neighbours the entire process is completely covered by the government health care.. but you have to endure the wait times.
I had my surgery done 15 months ago and it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I've lost 156 pounds and haven't had any complications.
Good luck..
John
I'm 65 now. Was 64 when I had my RNY a year ago in late June. It was among the two or three best decisions I've ever made. I wish I had been able to do it 40 years ago.
The surgery presented me with a valuable tool to have the ability to more closely meter what I take in through my mouth. In the time since I had the procedure, I've dropped about 130 pounds. I have also dropped all vestiges of sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, bad blood lipids, and (what I thought were) perpetually sore knees and painful lumbar spinal issues. The only prescription meds I'm still taking are for prostate.
The statistics I've seen suggest that I have prolonged my life by seven or eight years, and my experiences in the past several months underscore my conviction that the qualify of life is better for me these days by orders of magnitude.
I hope you are able to resolve your coverage issues and can move forward to getting the surgery. It will almost certainly prove to be a life-changing event for you. Strange as it may seem, you might consider self-funding the procedure if you can't get the necessary government approvals. Depending upon what you think a year of your life is worth, and what you think a better-quality life is worth, the calculus will probably show that any amount of out-of-pocket money is worthwhile as long as you don't die on the table. Few do.
Best of luck to you.
The surgery presented me with a valuable tool to have the ability to more closely meter what I take in through my mouth. In the time since I had the procedure, I've dropped about 130 pounds. I have also dropped all vestiges of sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, bad blood lipids, and (what I thought were) perpetually sore knees and painful lumbar spinal issues. The only prescription meds I'm still taking are for prostate.
The statistics I've seen suggest that I have prolonged my life by seven or eight years, and my experiences in the past several months underscore my conviction that the qualify of life is better for me these days by orders of magnitude.
I hope you are able to resolve your coverage issues and can move forward to getting the surgery. It will almost certainly prove to be a life-changing event for you. Strange as it may seem, you might consider self-funding the procedure if you can't get the necessary government approvals. Depending upon what you think a year of your life is worth, and what you think a better-quality life is worth, the calculus will probably show that any amount of out-of-pocket money is worthwhile as long as you don't die on the table. Few do.
Best of luck to you.
In BC they have pretty much stopped OOC funding. There appears to be a real political battle happening between VIHA (the only place that does bariatric surgery) and the government. There has been a little progress as there is now a second place for surgery in Richmond, but for the most part no one is approving out of country. It could be the same in Ontario.
We are very similar in age and body type so good luck.
Blake
We are very similar in age and body type so good luck.
Blake
You should check the Ontario Forum board.. It will give you relevant information on the procedures and wait times in our Province.. There are mostly women on this board.. but if you can ignore the posts about periods and saggy boobs, you will get some good information.. they can also connect you with local support groups in your area.
After reading your post where you said it would take 5-6 years I checked and the here is one of the time lines I pulled off a very recent post
(St Joes Hamilton) Referral Sent Jan 20 2011/Feb 28 2011 Orientation/March 31 2011 ab usound/May 25 2011 Dietitian,Nurse,Soc Worker/Scope June 6 2011/Internist June 26 2011/Surgeon July 15
It works on a first come first serve basis.. Some believe it should be based on your co-morbidities.. If you make yourself available for any appointment you can speed things up.. but generally you are looking at approx 12-16 months from start to finish..
I've seen postings where people attempt to track their status in the central registry.. but I couldn't find it.. Every so often I do see postings from people who's application get's lost, or shifted from one centre to another.. You could post the question on that forum and ask them how you go about tracking the status of your application.. The longest wait is usually from application to orientation meeting.. Once you have your orientation.. things usually start rolling. Out of Country Funding is virtually non existent now.. You'll also want to be close to your hospital in case you have any complications and for the follow up visits.
Good Luck
John
After reading your post where you said it would take 5-6 years I checked and the here is one of the time lines I pulled off a very recent post
(St Joes Hamilton) Referral Sent Jan 20 2011/Feb 28 2011 Orientation/March 31 2011 ab usound/May 25 2011 Dietitian,Nurse,Soc Worker/Scope June 6 2011/Internist June 26 2011/Surgeon July 15
It works on a first come first serve basis.. Some believe it should be based on your co-morbidities.. If you make yourself available for any appointment you can speed things up.. but generally you are looking at approx 12-16 months from start to finish..
I've seen postings where people attempt to track their status in the central registry.. but I couldn't find it.. Every so often I do see postings from people who's application get's lost, or shifted from one centre to another.. You could post the question on that forum and ask them how you go about tracking the status of your application.. The longest wait is usually from application to orientation meeting.. Once you have your orientation.. things usually start rolling. Out of Country Funding is virtually non existent now.. You'll also want to be close to your hospital in case you have any complications and for the follow up visits.
Good Luck
John
Most Active
Recent Topics
