Question:
OHIP approval and Henry Ford Hospital questions

Hello, I am very new to this site and it seems amazing! I am just starting my process - I am strongly considering Henry Ford Hospital as my choice. Can anyone tell me about them - good/ bad/ otherwise? Also, I live in Canada and will be getting my doctor to submit the pre-approval form to OHIP to request funding. Any suggestions/tips from Canadians out there as to what I can do to further ensure my approval for the gastric bypass surgery? Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.    — lucy_007 (posted on August 18, 2009)


August 19, 2009
I found OHIP approval took about 4 weeks for myself. My girlfriend just got her approval back in 2 weeks. You must answer yes to either of the questions re result in death or perm. tissue damage or the form will come back. Be sure your current height and weight are also on the form. I had my surgery done at the Barix Clinic in Michigan. Wonderful care!! The worst part was the 4 hour drive home and having to get out every hour and walk around-became a 5 hour drive! Best of luck and if you have any other questions feel free to ask!
   — Lismarmar

August 19, 2009
I don't really know about OHIP because I live in Michigan, but I had my RNY surgery done at Henry Ford Hospital in Warren and it was great! Who is your surgeon?
   — jtaormina

August 20, 2009
Personally I despise Henry Ford hospital, and I personally am not a fan of the doctors there. Any hospital you have to walk through a metal detector and get searched just to get into the ER is automatically crossed off my list. Have you thought about St. John? they are a "Bariatric Center of Excellents, and it's only about 7-8 miles further.
   — Jennifer F.

August 20, 2009
Duh, I mean to say St. John is a "Bariatric Center of Excellence"... I was having a "moment"!
   — Jennifer F.

August 20, 2009
I am going to be getting gastric bypass surgery at Henryford hospital detroit. They are one of the top hospitals for bariatric surgery. I have Dr. Carlin and there is nothing but good things said about him. You can check it out for yourself. Personally I'd rather go to a hospital than a bariatric place.
   — cuppaloopy

August 21, 2009
I'm canadian and was approved in a month. I chose the barixs clinic in ypsilanti and i made the best decision. I had a great doctor and the nursing staff was absolutely amazing.I wrote OHIP a personal letter with my application letting them know about my quality of life. If i had to recommend a bariatric hospital it would be barixs in ypsilanti.
   — HeidiBCCT

August 21, 2009
I'm gonna save you some headaches...go with Barix in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I went to my consultation and there were alot of people that had come from Canada, and they had said that OHIP will only approve it to be done at Barix. Look up Dr Schram. You will be glad you did!!! Good Luck!!!
   — medic3992

August 25, 2009
Hi I am also canadian and I am having my gastric bypass at Henry Ford hospital detroit. I don't want to put a damper on you going to the states but I was told by my doctor and other people that as of June this year ohip will not pay anymore for bypass surgery in the states because they want canadians to have their surgery here. The problem with that is there is a long waiting list. My hairdresser's friend applied a little while ago for the U.S. and was denied. The reason I was approved is because I started this process in January.
   — cuppaloopy

August 30, 2009
Hello. I am also very new to this amazing site. I had laparoscopic roux-en-y on July 28/09 at the Henry Ford Detroit site. The process was very thorough which prepared me mentally and physically for the surgery. I started my process in July of last year and received approval from OHIP in the beginning of Oct. I booked my appointment with HFH for the 4 hour workshop in Feb. This process seems long but HFH was highly recommended from my diabetes specialist her in Windsor, ON Canada. I now understand why my surgery took a year to schedule. This surgery is a complete lifestyle change that requires mental, physical, emotional, spiritual modification from poor unhealthy habits. I was anxious to have the surgery but I am very satisfied that this process was as thorough as it was because it was the TIME I needed to prepare for my new lifestyle. I was so prepared that I really was not worried about the surgery at all. I lost weight before surgery, quit smoking, exercised and wanted this to help my Diabetes as I was honestly tired of the insulin injections twice daily. I was nervous to meet the surgeon as I needed to feel comfortable and confident with his skills. My life was going to be placed in his hands. Well research informed me that HFH in Detroit is a Centre of Excellence and when I met Dr. Arthur Carlin I was so comfortable with him that I trusted him with my life. To date my surgery was a success and I still have my gallbladder. The 48 hr. stay was comfortable and I was very well cared for by several staff. I did not need as much pain medication and I was happy to inform Dr. Carlin that there was no pain from the incisions from surgery at all. The only pain I had was from the gas that was given in surgery to allow room for the surgery. I am truly greatful for being so fortunate to have such skilled professionals with my life in their hands. I highly recommend the Weight Loss Surgery Team (Purple) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. I am continuing my journey with a new lifestyle and I am blessed.
   — cdupuis

September 8, 2009
I totally agree with you about Henryford hospital detroit. I am going on Friday for my surgery date. I to have Dr.Carlin. He is very nice. To the lady that said she didn't like Henryford hospital because you have to go through a metal detector in emergency well I am glad that a hospital makes sure that you are safe. You never know who could be walking into emergency.
   — cuppaloopy




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