OMG 5 years, I could of never waited that long. So glad I went to Mexico
Hi
I am in the process of getting my lapband out after 10 years of which the last 5 years had been very challenging and painful at times. It was suggested to change to a sleeve and I am hoping this could be done but since I have acid reflux very badly some 5 years ago I am now constantly on the "hunt" for experience with sleevers who had acid reflux problems before the sleeve and how things are after.
Any input would be much appreciated.
And yes my surgeon know best , but it is still my body and I trusted my other surgeon before and he did his best at the time (he is retired now) but I rather want to get my own information up front to be prepared for discussions with my new surgeon.
p.s. because I had been approved 10 years back and I had to get help because of my trouble with the band I got in right after 1 month but my surgeon now rather wants to do band out and sleeve in in 2 surgeries which I am not too happy about since I suffer from Lupus ever surgery can trigger a bad flare up.
Although I am a Canadian, I live overseas so could not get surgery done at home in Ottawa. Rather than Mexico, I chose to pay for surgery in Utica, New York, because it is only a few hours away by car from my mother's home. Even if I had had the surgery in Canada, the wait time would have been about 18 months. I got this surgery set up very quickly in the US.
It has only been a month, so I guess the jury is still out on how this will all turn out. However, until now I can say that I am happy to have received a "sleeve" and was impressed by the compassionate care that I received in the US.
Happy to speak with you any time. I was a bit nervous beforehand but things have gone unbelievably smoothly for me. I've lost 34 pounds in just over a month.
I am from Ottawa. I actually live overseas but came to my family home to recuperate after surgery in Utica, New York. Cost, including hotels, etc. about CAN $19,000.
I gather you are off to Mexico. Good luck. Matthew
Just an update to this thread....in Alberta NOW...more money has been dedicated for bariatric surgery. I started the program on 5 June 2013 and had my surgery date was 19 August 2014. I first saw my surgeon mid October and had agreed to do a Vertical Sleeve based on my personal medical history, medical conditions, and BMI. I started in the WeightWise program in Edmonton (now called the Edmonton Adult Bariatric Specialty Clinic ) thinking I wanted a lap band, but after awhile it beame clear that a lap band was not what I needed.
During this time there were at least 13 seminars I had to take before they would consider me for going on. There is a ton of information about Obesity, nutrition, psychology, exercise, and food choices. The two nights spent after my surgery were full of excellent and wonderful, knowledgeable nurses.
I get why folks spend money to go to Mexico, even around one year is a long time. The upside for me, was that prior to surgery, I was able to lose 75 lbs.
I think both choices are valid as long as you are well educated on both options of staying in Canada or traveling outside of Canada for surgery. From the comments here, I believe most people do educate themselves...others not so much, but that is life and we all have choices to make especially when we are dealing with medical impacts effecting our quality of life.
That's all very good news, Marco. Thanks for updating this thread.
Consult: 235 lbs
My and doc's preop diet: 216 -19 lbs
M1 postop 205 -30
M2 193 -42
M3 184 -51
M4 174 -61
M5 167 -68
M6 162 -73
M7 156 -79
M8 151 -84
M9 148 -87
M10 146 -89
M11 144 -91
M12 143 -92
M13 142 -93
M14 140 -95
M15 139 -96
M16 137 -98
M17 135 -100
First Surgiversary post
Second Surgiversary post
Third Surgiversary post
I would have liked to have had this done in Canada and had in fact arranged to do so. But even though I was willing to pay myself (I am a Canadian living overseas and therefore am not enrolled in any Canadian health care programme), and was willing to wait a long time for the surgery, I was eventually told to go elsewhere. I do not regret at all having gone to Upstate New York, nor the money it cost me (about $19,000 all in) compared to the $21,000 they were asking for in Canada. I am down 42 pounds after 8 weeks, although the pace of weight loss is diminishing a bit.
I wish you good luck with your recovering, Marco, and that this takes you to a healthier place.
Best regards, Matthew
I just want to clarify a bit for others. I'm in Edmonton, too, and unfortunately, this still wouldn't have been possible, in that time frame (or ever), for me. You see, what Marco fails to mention is a high BMI with multiple co-morbidities. That's why Marco was able to get the surgery in a relatively short time (short for Canadian bariatric wait times).
Marco, this isn't a slam against you. I am extremely pleased that you are on the road to better health. However, your post was misleading and needed clarification. The choice for many of us isn't there, really. It's Mexico (or other country) or nothing.
Hello Brigette,
I agree and I too had to make the same decision as you. My surgeon was Almanza and I must say because of this surgery I have a new lease on life.
I have also been assisting other Canadians buy offering a support program. I have many clients how have been part of the failing Weight Wise program
as they have felt it is not enough. Each persons struggle is different and we try to look at them as individuals rather than a room of overweight people.
Keep up the great work !!
I waited 9 months for my referral to get into the barbaric clinic in Edmonton. I finally got in last March and after several trips to Etown I have just gotten the referral from the doctor to meet the surgeon this Thur Oct. 30. I'm not sure what the wait time will be after that but I will let you know!
Thanks Brigitte, no offense taken. First, I didn't mean to mislead anyone nor did I intentionally failed to mention high BMI specifically as a requirement. I didn't specifically state that a requirement for bariatric surgery is a high BMI and co-morbidities, but I did say in my situation it was my BMI and the complications (co-morbidities) that made me a candidate for surgery. The Edmonton protocol is being proposed nationally and internationally as a guideline to assist surgeons and specialists in determining medically which patients areally best suited for surgery. Perhaps a slightly overweight individual might benefit from other less evasive treatment tools surgery is after all a tool and not a fix. I certainly can not fault folks seeking quicker turn around o such debilitating situation especially when it impacts one psychologically as well as medically. I do have some concerns about medical tourism. Unfortunately for every story of successful surgery there are those that are back here in Edmonton looking at revision surgery due to complications. Which can happen with surgery done here at home. Just reality of surgery everywhere. I totally get why pole seek quicker surgery and willing to pay good money for something they see as ultimately as a solution to waiting. 2011 Sleeve, I diagram at about the program being a failure, not because I am biased, but because I KNOW from experience what is involved it is intensive and requires participants to dedicate their efforts and time to making some lifestyle changes before surgery. I assume your efforts were pretty 2011? Do you realive the program has evolved since then? That AHS has been allocating more budget and OR time to the program in Edmonton and Caglary. Also the fact that the program has had folks from Manitoba admitted because of Manitoba's inability to handle their obesity epidemic.
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