Question:
I am in Canada but am looking for a surgeon and wondering if my Insurance will cover

I am 19 and from canada and my Doctor told me that no surgeon would preform the operation b/c I am so young.The fact that I am 19 and have tried countless times to rid myself of this access weight scares me.My BMI is 50.21% that is HIGH.Does anyone know whom I can contact about this?    — Tara D. (posted on October 3, 1999)

October 3, 1999
My surgeon, Dr. Henry Buchwald is at the University of MN. He says his youngest patient was 6 years old. I don't think 19 is too young. Couldn't hurt to contact his office for a Canadian referral.
   — Bridget M.

October 3, 1999
Our doc has done 'em as young as 13! Email me privately, OK? [email protected]
   — vitalady

October 3, 1999
I don't think that you are too young. Morbid obesity has only one proven cure - surgery. No one would say that 19 is too young for doing an appendectomy for appendicitis. Getting the govt medical bureaucrats to acknowledge this, especially in Canada, where costs are tightly controlled, may be difficult. Good Luck.
   — Bruce B.

October 4, 1999
Hi Tara I too am in Canada, Alberta. Best to my knowledge, this procedure is completely covered by our insurance. It is medicaly necessary!! (check this clause in your insurance....50BMI is certainly medicaly necessary. Mine is 48) I have coverage through Alberta Health Care then through my private health care Alberta Blue Cross. As for your age; I wish I had known about this at 19. Any doctor that looks at our diet history over our lives will see that the only cure for our obesity is surgery. Good luck and email me privately for a link to some Canadian Support Groups!! Best to you............Lori
   — Lori W.

December 7, 1999
Hello, Coming to you, from a small town called Owen Sound, Ontario. Canada Since I live in Ont me OHIP cover the cost, no problem, family doctors don't have any information on doctors that do it, that's all...me I had to find my own doctor just out side of Toronto..Dr Jeffe..having me surgery done Feb 21,2000. Your not to young, that was silly on your doctors part to even say that . Your young, and long to live!! I wish you luck . If you wish to talk more e-mail [email protected]
   — Darla N.