I'm a bit of a lurker, but have some interesting news & surgery date TWH

Hi, there.  I lurk on here often, but don't post much.  Brenda asked me to post, so here I am.

First of all, it's been a long journey, almost a year.  But I finally have a surgery date of August 22, 2012, my 40th birthday.  No kidding.  It is a Dr. Penner that I will have.

I have an update for those (like me) who are always wondering where the dates are at, etc.
Surgeries right now at TWH are now booking in September.  They had one or two dates left in August last Friday, but I'm sure they have/will go fast.

As far as questions go to ask the surgeon, I wouldn't bother with the mortality rate issue anymore. There are 4 surgeons who work in TWH and all of them have the exact same success rate/mortality, etc. In fact, when I went for my orientation, mortality was 1 in 200, and now it is 1 in 500, with about 1 in 200 having leakage issues.  They are getting better.   You no longer are guaranteed that who you see at the surgeon meeting, will be your surgeon, however you can ask for a specific doctor if you wish if you're willing to be open to surgery dates farther along than what they offer you.

Dr. Jackson is who I met with, but I did most of the appt with his training student.    They are now up-to-date on information about 'candy cane syndrome' which they weren't when I was back in orientation last year.  For those interested, it's very unlikely now to get that because they only leave about 1 cm intestine past the join, vs in older surgeries and open surgeries it was up to 15 cms. 

I mentioned to Dr. Jackson that I only found one medical review of him online, but about 60 comments about how attractive he is.  And he is.  He has beautiful eyes that make him seem a lot younger than he is.  I believe he is married as he wears a wedding ring around his neck, although I wasn't brave enough to ask if it was a gay or straight marriage.  He wished out loud, however, that it was reversed and that his patients would leave medical reviews instead.  The nurses and students found it hilarious though and told me to post about how good he looks too. lol

What I thought was the most interesting piece of news though, and felt it worthy of sharing is that he felt plastic surgery was going to end up being covered by OHIP within a year or two.  I asked how that was possible and he said it's because there is a crisis situation right now.  So many people need it.  That's how bariatric surgery got approved in Ontario for OHIP coverage.  So many people were applying for out of province surgery for it, that they approved it here.  He said he felt the same thing was going to happen with plastic surgery for the removal of excess skin and that they are already discussing it.  He said plastic surgery costs right now for a bariatric patient 2 yrs post-op was about $25k.  So if you are a post-op person, make sure you keep going to your doctors and documenting any problems you are having with excess skin, even if they are just self-esteem vs physical.  I'm sure since we all are so grateful OHIP covers RNY surgery, having the incredible gift of plastic surgery to remove excess skin will really make us feel lucky.

Well, that's really all I have to contribute at this point other than my happiness at knowing there is a date in site and a future I am looking forward to of being so much healthier.  All the best to you all in your journeys here.

 Not to be a downer, but this has been said about plastic surgery here in Ontario for years.  And to be clear.. a breast reduction is not the same as implants.  A panni removal is not the same as a tummy tuck.   Remember skin is just skin.   I have to say there is nothing like having implants, nor muscle tightening.   
And please don't misunderstand.   It is freeing to not have the extra skin anymore.   And the need here in Ontario will be huge.   But I doubt OHIP is going to pay for anything cause someone doesn't like the extra skin.  They will have criteria.   And will you meet the criteria?
Myself, I was grateful that they paid 18,000 US for my rny.   I am grateful, they gave me a second chance at life.   To be a functioning individual.   But I will not soak them further to fix the skin.  I have to play some part in my own recovery from Super Morbid Obesity.   I have to own it.   
And those considering Plastic Surgery, make sure that a larger portion of your ps clients are bariatric patients.   Most ps do mommy makeovers.  I lost 222 lbs, mommy makeover wasn't going to cut it.   There is so much skin, and so much of it is damaged.   Once you have stretch marks, it is damaged.   I read once that a ps's clientele is only 4% from bariatrics.  Make sure you ask the specific questions about his former patients, and lots and lots of pictures.   You have worked so hard, you want to make sure the final product is as best as it can be.  
Suggest all continue to save, and find ways to pay for the real thing.  

Bonnie

I've never heard of any surgeon saying that excess skin removal was going to be covered by OHIP before.

This is recent news which is being discussed between OHIP and the bariatric surgeon community right now.  I doubt one of the surgeons would even suggest this and put it out there, if it weren't truthful.  It's his reputation on the line.  It's ridiculous to think that one of the top surgeons at one of the top bariatric teaching and surgery would make that up.

This is not for plastic surgery, it is for the excess skin removal that the majority of patients end up with.  Of course there will be criteria.  There was for surgery.  It only makes sense.  And for those that will need it/do need it, I'm again, grateful that the gov't is willing to consider covering it.

If you feel you have "soaked them" by getting your surgery, that guilt must be weighing on you.  I'm sorry you feel that way.  The government knows exactly what it is doing....saving millions in future obesity-related healthcare costs.  Not everyone is overweight because of a lack of self-control, and even if that is someone's reason, society had a hand in creating the epidemic and the government is providing surgery as a solution.

My post was not as a message to say "count on this"....it was just some up to date information that some people who would NEVER be able to afford plastic surgery to remove excess skin might gain some hope from, and keeping the topic talked about with doctors is a way to help it happen.

Your post said: 

 "felt it worthy of sharing is that he felt plastic surgery was going to end up being covered by OHIP within a year or two"

He felt surgery would be covered, is what you said.   Not that he heard from top of OHIP that it was.   This has been said on this board since 2008.   HUGE need for it, but having skin removal for losing 100 pounds is a hell of a lot different that someone who's lost 400lbs .. that's a medical necessity then.  I certainly understand why they have criteria.   And I could see OHIP changing the ruling.   Mind you pounds have nothing to do with how the mind feels about it.  
Guilt, No...  Grateful yes.   But we live in a society of people who believe they are entitled for the gov't to support them.  There are people out there using sandpaper to rub the folds so insurance pays up!!!    They feel entitled.   We must be accountable too for our decisions.   The surgery for weigh loss is a solution, but I wouldn't say the gov't knows exactly what it's doing.   But that's another topic you would have stick around a while to understand. 

Bonnie

I don't know why people think healthcare is a 'gift' from the government. It is an entitlement based on the taxes we pay. I'm having an OHIP funded nose job next year due to a deviated septum even though it doesn't cause me any breathing problems. I could afford to pay the entire costs on my own, but don't feel I should have to as I pay lots and lots of taxes and my surgery falls under a category that OHIP will cover a large part of the cost for. I'm I 'soaking' them too? 

 Hi, Thanks for posting the information.  I had heard about how good looking Dr Jackson was and only met him on Friday for a quick appointment.  Yes, he is very attractive, but i also noticed he had a very charming and relaxed beside manner.  

It will be interesting to see what happens with plastic surgery.  I have lost 91 pounds so far and would love to have it done.  However,  right now i am okay with how i look, and right now don't want to have any type of surgery any more.

Good Luck on your surgery.

Thanks for this information!  It's very helpful to me, as I prepare for my meet the surgeon appointment at TWH in August.

It's so great to see you posting!!!

Congratulations on getting your date!!! And thanks for sharing.

Hi there - I'm glad to hear that you have your surgery date - you must be so excited! All the best to you! I've heard good things about Dr Penner.

I had Dr Jackson for my VSG & he is fantastic - he is a highly skilled surgeon who will find a way around obstacles that he encounters to ensure that you have a safe & successful surgery. Yes, he is extremely good-looking but his bedside manner is what really did it for me. He never rushed me and always had plenty of time to talk and explain everything to my family and me and he really put me at ease in every meeting. Just an FYI - he is definitely not gay - he is married to a very attractive woman and they are both extremely active in community fundraising activities and volunteer work. No kids but they do have a puppy right now!

I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that it does become possible for us to have our excess skin removal covered by OHIP - I'm not to concerned about anything except my panni but I'd like it tightened a bit not just skin removed. If not, oh well, I guess I'll see what happens when the time comes. I'm only 2 months post-op at this point so no need to think about it yet.

Deb

When I went for my internist apt. before I had surgery in Hamilton. He had said the same, Because patients were more often becoming depressed with their excess skin after achieving their goal and also because it can cause skin infections etc.

He said they were hoping in a year or two, certain procedure's would be covered. Now which ones and when, I guess will be up in the air.