Attn: All patients in BC, pre-op and post-op!!!

Hey everyone,

I do not like being the bearer of bad news, but we need to work together and get some help here…brace yourselves. 

I don’t know if many of you have heard, but it has recently come to my attention that there are NO MORE DATES being given out for WLS through the Richmond bariatric program with Dr. Sampath or Dr. Nguyen.  The funding for this program has been cut and there are no more surgeries scheduled after October at this time. 

For those of you just finding out, I am incredibly sorry for having to share this news with you.  For those of you who already knew, I am also sorry to think of how this might be affecting you and your families at this time. 

Some of you may be waiting for your first consultation at this time, or just beginning to go through the battery of tests and appointments required in this program.  To you I say please, please, please do NOT give up.  This program changed my life long before I had my surgery and I can’t begin to stress how valuable the experience was in preparing me.  I know the pre-op waiting period is a rollercoaster of difficult emotions and struggles, but there is hope and value in learning about yourself and making changes as you go before having this surgery. 

We all have unique stories and experiences that have brought us to where we are on this journey.  For me, it took 7 years to find the right surgeon…when I decided to switch to Dr. Sampath, it wasn’t because I knew my surgery would come up sooner (although that was an exciting thought I considered).  What “sealed the deal" for me was knowing that I would be safe and taken care of with West Coast Bariatrics…my post-op care is guaranteed and there is a whole team of specialists willing to help me at any given time with whatever issues or obstacles I may encounter along the way.  That, to me, showed a dedication to my health and well-being that I had never experienced with any health professionals before.  It was a promise to look out for my best interests and it was definitely the turning point and deciding factor for me. 

For those of us who have already had this surgery, I’d like to ask that we take a moment and think about how different our lives would be if we hadn’t done this.  Those of us who had the opportunity to go through West Coast bariatrics know what tools and experiences are being withheld from countless others in this province who need their help.  I also know that there are many individuals who had their surgery in other parts of BC or out-of-province who have shared how they wish they had a program like this to support them before and after surgery. Some of you even have friends and family on the waitlist for the Richmond program and I can only imagine how difficult this news has been to deal with.  We all have different issues and histories that brought us to the point of needing this surgery; it is unfair and ridiculous that anyone should be deprived of a life-changing weight loss surgery when there are capable, successful, and willing professionals who want to fight for us.  

So to all of you, I’d like to ask for some help. 

The team of specialists at WCB are doing everything they can to support patients through other branches of their program, but they are stressing the importance of reaching out and contacting our Minister of Health in BC and speaking to our MLA’s.  They believe that we can make an impact by speaking out in volumes and showing the government that its constituents care enough to demand a change.  I am not a political person in any way, but this is an issue that directly affects me and many of my loved ones so I cannot bear to sit idly by.  Many of us in the support group for WCB patients on Facebook have already written letters and sent emails or been in direct contact with our MLA’s.  At this time, anything helps! Some of us are reaching out to the media as well.  Family members, co-workers, friends…anyone who knows about you, your struggles, and the value of this surgery can help us make a difference if they are willing to take the time to send an email or letter.  

To contact our Minister of Health, Margaret MacDiarmid, please email her directly at [email protected]

To get in touch with your local MLA, please visit http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-5.htm to find them on the list of BC’s Legislative Assembly.  Email them, mail letters, place a call and speak with them...anything! 

Once again, I apologize for having to bring this up and hope that many of you will reach out to the support systems in your life (i.e. friends, family, support groups, health professionals) to deal with any issues this may bring up.  

Thank you for getting this far, I appreciate your consideration and hope that we can help West Coast Bariatrics get back its funding so it can keep changing lives and making a difference in the WLS community.  

Aleya

[email protected]

 Thats awful news! I was with dr tang but decided a week ago to go to mexico. I am booked for oct 23rd. 

 I'd like to echo Aleya's plea.

PLEASE - even if you didn't have your surgery with Dr. Sampath or Dr. Nguyen (or Dr. Amson or any of the other BC surgeons), please write to the Minister and copy your MLA.

In fact, those of you who did go out of country, or are planning to do so are valuable - you're the prime example of why they need to increase funding! They don't want us going out of province for medical care - they discourage it, and with good reason.

we know that there are good surgeons with great equipment in Mexico, but they don't. What they should hear is that BC didn't fund a vital, life-changing operation - that you needed to leave your home to be cared for.

I doubt this cutback only affects Westcoast Bariatric...it probably hits Victoria too.

these cutbacks will cost more money over the long run...surgery pays for itself in reduced health care costs in 3.5 yrs, on average...and those reduced costs last for life!

Wow thats news. I just seen him yesterday and he did not say anything about this... oh well I hope its just temporary.

And....

YES I AM HERE!!

UPDATE - I've heard from the surgeons and the program is not in danger of being cancelled - they're now negotiating the details of how many surgeries will be covered each year...hopefully our letters have been effective!!

So while we may still have to wait, because no health care system ever has enough money to treat everything as it happens, at least there is light ahead!

 That is comforting news, I had given up hope completely.  I too did my letter writing and explained my issues and waitlist, from a patient perspective and from a nursing prospective.  I do not want to be an overweight nurse lol.  I am positive, and hope our letters work.  THANKS Nikkal

Hi everyone. I know not everyone can afford it but I just couldn't wait the four years to have the surgery in BC so I went to Mexico. Very reputable top of the line surgeons there. Paid 7,000 USD and with the great exchange Rate pretty much par. I went to DR. Joya and have reached my goal weight in a year. Couldn't be more happier. Mexico is not as bad as some people try to make it out.

Blessings in your journey

I am getting sleeved by dr lopez in TJ next week. $4500 and there are tons of excellent reviews on him. I waited 3 yrs and cant wait another 2. I did alot of letter writing and talking to MLA's and anyone else who would listen. Many many of us have been doing that for years. I cant wait any longer. I wish you all much strength and luck as your journey continues.

From what I understand it is temporarily on hold due to funding. They are trying to get more funding so more surgeries can happen but it is up to the government. I saw Nooshin and Dr.N yesterday and they sound hopeful. I really hope it gets resolved soon so this does not affect alot of people. I am so very thankful for my surgery and my weightloss, I believe every overweight patient should be able to feel good! Fingers crossed that it gets ironed out soon!! Every little bit helps, do not give up it will be so worth it!!

Cheers,

Karen

Update
I received this letter today from the ministry:
Thank you for your email of October 4, 2012, regarding funding for bariatric surgery. I am responding on behalf of the Honourable Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Health.

I understand that waiting for surgery can be a frustrating experience for patients and their families.

I want to assure you that the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) understands that obesity is a serious health issue. Our first priority is that the people who urgently require bariatric surgery receive the treatment as quickly as possible.

As I am sure you are aware, bariatric surgery is considered a last resort for people who have previously tried all other forms of weight loss. Facilities undertaking this type of high risk surgery require a skilled medical team committed to this extensive pre and post operative involvement as well as specialized equipment to properly care for patients.

Obesity and associated chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, are on the rise province-wide. As a result, the demand for bariatric surgeries is also increasing. One of the challenges we are facing is the availability of physicians with the training required for this highly specialized surgery. There are currently very few surgeons who are able to perform this type of surgery in British Columbia.

At the Ministry's request, the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) has developed a comprehensive business case for a provincial bariatric surgery strategy. A report has been submitted for consideration and is currently being reviewed by the Ministry.

To alleviate wait time pressures, the Ministry has provided PHSA with funding for 152 additional bariatric surgeries through Vancouver Island Health Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority over the past two years. The health authorities are responsible for ensuring that patients are selected from the wait list according to their urgency and time on the wait list. So far, this has resulted in a decrease in the number of patients on the wait list by nearly 30 percent.

Work is currently underway to develop clear criteria for bariatric surgery wait list management. The next steps include creating a plan to manage the obesity continuum of care and addressing the ongoing and increasing demand for bariatric surgery across the province.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write and express your concerns. I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Sincerely,

Teri Collins
Executive Director