Step One, Complete

Just got a call from my doctor's office that the Bariatric Registry has received my application and I have been assigned to Humber.  What comes next and how quickly?  I'm worried they won't help me because I had a Gastroplasty (stomach stapling) in 2001 that has not worked for me.  It did for a few years and now I weigh more than I ever have.  Has anyone had a second surgery?  Did OHIP cover it?  There was no registry back then and I had my surgery within a few months of my first inquiry.  It seems to take a lot longer now.  The system seemed to work better without the registry :) 

I don't have the answers to your questions about if you'll be approved or not. People have had second surgeries, but the surgeon will decide that. If you fit the criteria, OHIP will cover it.

Try to take this time to figure out the reasons for the regain. What's going on in your head? WLS fixes the inner workings, it doesn't do anything for your head, and that's where this game is won or lost.

I also can't answer about the system working "better" than before the registry. I find the follow up invaluable, and, i hope you don't take offense, but your regain might speak to the quality of the system back then vs now.

I'm not sure about how long it will take you unfortunately as I went through the "old system" almost 7 years ago myself.  I do know that they will do revisions when warranted, covered by OHIP.  Back in 2001 things definitely did move faster - though there were way fewer people wanting to have weight loss surgery.  Back in 2006 I had about a 9 month wait from referral to surgery but I was fast-tracked a bit due to the working relationship between my obesity specialist and the surgeons at Humber.

Although I haven't been through it, I like the new system. It's very comprehensive and the follow-up is good - something that was certainly missing when I had surgery.

Best wishes to you and keep us posted on how things are progressing.

I also had Gastroplasty done over 31 years ago but it had sealed up within a month and needed to have another surgery to re-construct so unfortunately it did not work for me.  I have already had my orientation in November and waiting to see the Nurse Practioner and Social Worker on March 11th.  I would hope at those meeting they may be able to answer that question.  I will let you know.

You should be receiving a letter in the mail to let you know when your orientation will be.  I think mine was approximately  2-3 months after receiving the letter.

I think that the system they have in place now will be a lot better as they want to make sure you will be able to make the changes you need to make.  I like the fact that they will be following up on your progress.  Also, from what I have been reading so far this forum is a wealth of support and opinions.

Congratulations on making the decision to change your life for the better.