10 year + wait list for Nova Scotia, Canada

[Mushaboomer]

I thought I should share a little bit about myself since I've been creeping around everyone else's personal thoughts and experiences - thank you all for the honesty.

I am a 36 yr old mother of a 8 yr old daughter who married her college boyfriend. I was a healthy weight until I went to university, I swear junk food is like cocaine for me now.

I've been on the wait list for surgery for years and recently it was in the news there is a 10yr + waiting list. This was a huge deal here in Nova Scotia because a brave lady wrote her own obituary citing complications due to obesity as the reason for her death. The company "weight no more" contacted Dr Jamie Ponce De Leon and he performed the surgery for free.

This leads me to why I started looking into "medical tourism". My hubby and I discussed it and we're going to save up the money for me to change my life through WLS. Hopefully we'll have the money by July.

Until then, thanks again for letting me creep around the site, you guys rock.

[Fluffy]

Wow, I had no idea Canadians had to wait so long. I'm happy to hear you are saving up money for surgery, I think investing in ourselves is the best investment we can make.

My insurance doesn't cover any type of WLS so I am having to self pay. I'm having it done here in Nevada in just over 2 weeks from now.

My best advise to you is to work on losing weight before your surgery, it will help in the long run and help cut down on your risk factors.

Best of Luck to you!

[AmyR]

That is crazy. I would have been probably 600 pounds if I waited that long.

[Lea]

Welcome to the forum...so start the journey now and be that much further along with your q4eightloss...and the surgery will be that much esier..good luck

[Sunflower]

10 years is completely ridiculous! Glad your hubby is on borard with you! Good luck saving and hope you can getyour surgery soon.

[VSGOct2011]

I'm from Winnipeg and in Manitoba the wait list is 3-5 years, if you meet the criteria to be accepted. I took a leap of faith and went to see Dr Alvarez in Piedras Negras Mexico and have no regrets. I've lost 75 lbs since surgery Oct 8/11 and I'm getting my life back. All kinds of health issues are improving and I'm feeling 110% better than any time in my adult life. I too have an 8 yr old daughter and my deciding factor in going to Dr A was because I had a moment last summer when I couldn't fully participate and enjoy life with her - I couldn't ride the rides at Valley Fair and Mall of America theme parks with her. This summer I plan to drive back down there and conquer those rides! I encourage you to do the math on how much being overweight is costing you, not just in food, but health and work and any other ways it impacts your life. The amount of money you save on food, ie) eating out, groceries, etc later more than makes up for the cost of the surgery. Another concern is the travel post-op and I can tell you first hand that I was able to travel without any major issues back to Canada. In fact United Airlines went out of their way to even have wheelchair service in place to get me & my bags transported across 3 terminals in Chicago O'hare... Feel free to PM me if you have any questions for a fellow Canuck regarding traveling to Mexico for the procedure. I have no regrets. Feel free to read a few of my blogs - I've got one posted with some of the details of my Mexico travel experience.

Shauna

[scgal21]

I had my surgery in Mexico in December. My insurance won't cover any form of wls. While in Mexico, I met a man and his son from Canada, who were there for cancer treatment. They said the wait is years for other life saving procedures as well....sad. Congrats to you for making the decision to go out of your country to have the surgery and for having a supportive hubby. Good luck!

[VSGOct2011]

SC gal - I just want to clarify, our Canadian medical system is actually very good for necessary procedures it's just that weight loss surgeries are just recently being approved and each province administers their funds from our federal government themselves, so priorities in where they spend health care dollars varies by province. Generally if it's a life saving procedure it is fast-tracked and things like cancer treatment are usually arranged within a week. I would guess the family you met were seeking an experimental or alternative therapy. As for wls I have a friend who just got on the list in Manitoba and she was told it would be 1 year-significantly less than the 3-5 years I was told when I booked mine last year. I've heard they've added another surgeon so I am guessing they are realizing wls improves things all around. I don't regret paying for mine though. Money is just money. The time and quality of life I've gained are worth more than any amount in the bank

I just didn't want you to think its all bad with our healthcare system. Like yours, there are always improvements which can made.