Looking for Self Pay - Out Of Country (Canada) VSGers

I'm looking to have the vsg procedure and will be a self-pay - going to a US surgeon.  My question is this.  For any of you who also were self-pay and had the procedure performed outside of Canada, what was your plan for your return home in the event you had any issues?  I live a few hours away from where most bariatric surgeons work in Ontario and my GP cannot help me if I have a huge issue upon my return.  Can general surgeons at the local ER accommodate for this type of surgery?  Thanks in advance!  ~ Willow

I had my surgery in Detroit, while living in Ottawa. Not self-paid, but it doesn't really matter. It was a risk I had to take - could not go back to my surgeon for an emergency. Also my surgery is rare (unlike gasterectomy that you are planning to have) and five years ago majority of Ontario doctors refused to touch patents like me (narhik from this board was denied help in Windsor and had to go to Michigan to have emergency surgery selfpaid). Otherwise, HRRH in Toronto was the default place to go with complications.

Well, here in Ottawa we were extremely lucky. Dr. Yelle was one of the very few surgeons who operated on OOC bariatric patients, even DSers. He saved lives of two of my friends with emergency surgeries - one had a bowel obstruction and another had a leak.

Nowadays, more doctors are familiar with bariatric procedures, but it's a hit and miss game - one ER doc will treat you, another will say "I don't have necessary expertise". It depends on your location. ERs in most hospitals with bariatric programs will provide adequate care even if you're not "their patient", no matter where you had the surgery.

Another good news for you - VSG is not a brainer (no offense anyone) and is essentially just a gasterectomy, routinely performed for non bariatric reasons (ulceration, cancers, etc.) hence even doctors without any bariatric background are normally able to treat VSGers.

Well, good luck!

Thanks for the info.  I am near a bariatric center of excellence just not where the surgeries are performed.  YOu're right this is an old operation (performed for other reasons) so that makes me feel better.

Thanks again and take care!

All of the hospitals in the Ontario program "can" perform it... It is a matter of meeting the criteria to have OHIP pay for it, and have a surgeon willing to do it here.

Before arbitrarily deciding to go elsewhere... I would highly recommend what I have told others to do.

If you wish to proceed with out of country surgery then do look into it (contact LessOfSarah as she has more recently had this done) for info on who she went with, why, etc. Check the VSG board and look into Dr Cirangle who is suppose to be one of the BEST VSG Surgeon's in the world.

Follow the program here and when you meet your Surgeon put it on the table like one of the other members did that you are considering going out of province/country. He lucked out and it was put through here. He  had already booked his flights and put a deposit down with his surgeon and was able to get a VSG at one of our centers.

BUT I will caution you. It is possible to fail a VSG... So part of why I encourage people to stay with the program is because of the additional support they receive with the Ontario program.

Thanks Cuter_w_Curves,

I was on the Ontario list and I don't qualify for the vsg which is what I want.  I qualify for the bypass and I don't feel comfortable having that - its just not right for me.  I know some have been able to convince the doctor to give them VSG any way.  Honestly I don't want to wait.  I waited 4 months to even find out I was on the list then another 4 to go to the first meeting.  If I go to the US I can have it done within a months time.  I will check out Lessof Sarah and Dr. Cirangle as well.  I do have a surgeon picked and have spoken with him but no date scheduled.  He is in Michigan - Dr. Pleatman.  I've met some of his patients and have spoken with them as well.  He has a post surgical care for up to a year out from surgery included in his price.  I live close to the border so I can attend meetings etc. on a regular basis otherwise I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable enough doing it abroad.

Any way thanks again for the info - I will check out the info above.

Best of luck with it all and keep your medical receipts. Tax purposes. Travel as well.

I am sure others can help more with that then I can.

If problems Windsor would send you to Guelph or Toronto if they did not want to touch you. 

Yes I'm near Windsor so I'm hoping since it is a Bariatric center they can either handle any issue or as you said send me to TO.  The thought of them turning me away completely was a bit terrifying.

Windsors bariatric centre will NOT touch you.  They don't do surgery.  They will tell you to go through emergency and then the Windsor doctors would either do surgery or whatever OR would send you to Guelph or Toronto.   You will not get any services through Windsors bariatric centre if you go out of country. They only service their own clients and they do not handle emergencies other than the typical ER ones.  Those of us who had surgery out of country do not get services through Windsor.   

What you will find is reluctance on the part of medical staff to help you (because it is someone elses work) and they are wary due to insurance (malpractice)