I had out of province WLS and alberta health care did contribute. It was a small amount, about $1300.00. Take the forms with you for the Dr to fill out. The forms are available on line. http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/AHCIP-form-AHC0934.pd f

I too have chosen to travel to Mexico for my surgery. My sister is having her surgey at the same time so we are going together and are schedualed for February 26th 2014. I would recomend taking someone with you to help with traveling after surgery. We are not able to take anyone with us, but have made some plans to make it as easy as possible.

First we are flying with WestJet and we phoned to make our flight reservations so that we could add a few things/notes to our tickets. On the way back there is a note that we are going to need wheel chairs, which means when we go to check in there will be wheen chairs waiting for us with porters to take us too our gate. They will then leave us there untill it is time to board at which time we will be boarding firs. Then when you get to your destination to deplane last and there are wheen chairs waiting as you get off. They also have a note for their to be seatbelt exrenders on one of the seats, so as to ease the embarasment of having to ask for one in person.

Make sure that you are comfortable with the company that you are using and have done your research not only on the company you are using but on the surgeons themselves. If there is anything you are not comfortable with call or email the company and dont be afraid to ask questions. If they cant answer any questions you have then it may be time to look into somewhere else. Before you leave ensure that someone back home knows your itinerary and give them all the contact information for down there that you have just in case of an emergency.

I am not sure if Alberta Health covers in case of complications but I have heard that you can get a partial refund for the price of your surgery. Not completely sure how that works though, and if might not be that much.

Hope this was helpful and that you have a great expirence.

Where do you get your Syntrax from, because I am looking for their Mint Cookie flavor and I can not find it any where in Canada and nobody delivers here either.

I had my orientation in Red Deer last year with my sister and detailed the whole process (each appintment in my blog). Dont expect to much at the orientation, it is for everyone entering the program whether you have decided on the type of surgery you want or not. They will inform you all about the different types of surgerys and the statistics and risks involved with each one. Durring this scession they will informa you about things that are going to be required of you to be in the program, such as you will have to see someone in the program at least once every month.  At the end of Orientation you make an appointment to see a nurse.

After orientation you are going to want to start a food journal and bring it with you along with the filled out forms you get durring Orientation with you to your nurses appointment. She will take your height, weight and picture as well as go over what you are eating with you and prob recomend you for the one cup diet (which I explain about in my blog). Your nurse will also tell you about the different people you will see and the different appointments you will have.

Hope that this helps a little.

I am having my surgery in Mexico (finally), and am wondering what others brought with them for their trip and what maybe they forgot or wished that they had brought.