Sammyd

There are many VSG surgeons in Alberta and you should not need to go to the States or Mexico. Your first step is to see your family doctor for a referal. Withough a referal you will not be able to have access to one. Also, your family doc or a dietician will help you find the right surgeon in your health region. From my experience, Dr Farries in Red Deer is great and care about his patients. However, not all do. A good way to find out who is the better doctor is to analyse their acceptance protocol. If they are willing to take you off the street, this may reflect on their level of care. Most will have a one year to two year process where you will need to consult a dietician and a psychiatrist, lose 10 percent of your body weight and keep a food journal. Different clinics have different requirements and risk assessment procedures. If you smoke, are 55 years old or older or have a BMI under 40 you will most likely not be considered. I had two impatient friends that went to Mexico and ended up in emgency at the U of A hospital, one other impatient friends who went to the US. I don't want to knock the US or Mexico Surgeons because I'm sure they are well qualified but I don't know what their acceptance procedures are. If I were you, I would not consider going down south though you may feel impatient. Hey it's free here!!! (Well, not really...) But I believe that our level of care may be higher though they migh have more technology.