applauds your rant !! Nicely said. 

I am sending you a private message so we can chat by email. I find this site wonderful, a bit of a pain to maneuver through when trying to get to know someone and their story. 

Talk soon

Lori

I had my first appointment there in April, got the go ahead from my surgeon on August 12...I met with the nurse August 30 and she told me all that wad left was meeting with the anesthetist, which I do his Thursday. They told me they fully expect my surgery to happen this year still. I do think that some if it depends on the surgeon...on on the nurses told me that my surgeons patients have been struggling, and that it was good that I was doing so well. Maybe your surgeon is more booked up the mine?  Don't give up though, I can relate to how you're feeling. You've worked hard to get where you are, just a little more patience!

Lots of good info here already but I would like to add that at best the band is a temporary solution for 5-10 years. Even if it works properly, you will require a new one and the next one may not be effective at all.



The only real options are VSG, RNY and DS. I think the choice between these three are related to how much weight you need to lose and your other health issues.



Of course, that's only if you can wrap your head around a solution other than the band. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

oopsss. . . stoked not stroked . . grins . . 

Hello.  I can really only comment on the process in Calgary but there are many others who could comment on Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat  (maybe more centres??? ....not sure!).  For Calgary,  you have to  be referred to the Weight Management Program. I had to wait 4 years to be seen  ( but I think they lost my referral more than once because I know others that it didn't take that long). At that point I  participated in a 12 week "weight management" program ( healthy food choices, exercise, psychology, etc....).  At that time, during that 12 week program you had to lose 10% of your excess weight  and attend all of the classes to even be considered for surgery.  Unfortunately, there are VERY limited #'s of surgeries being funded in Calgary and so out of the 150 people that originally started the class ...only 25 were given the opportunity to have surgery.  The classes and information were great and many were happy to have access to the "program" but there were many disappointed people ( as I would have been if I hadn't been fortunate enough to be given the opportunity for surgery) when only 25 people were chosen.  i am not sure of the funded numbers now in Calgary but someone told me that there were more than 25 per year now with Lap Band and Sleeve combined?? 

 

I have heard wonderful things about the programs in other cities in Alberta and have also known others who have opted to  go elsewhere ( Mexico, Vancouver, Ontario) and self-pay.

If you have any more questions.....let me know. I'd be happy to offer any assistance that I can!   Ask others on this board because there is a wealth of information from others who have had different surgeries in different locales that could give you the information that you desire.

 

take care.