henner33

Hi Jeff, I am also fairly new to this site and a fellow Canadian. I live in BC and the wait time here is about 1-1&1/2 years for appointment and then about 3 years for surgery. I am also going to have the sleeve done. My first appointment is Nov 16th so I have been waiting 1&1/2 just to meet the surgeon. I really hope your surgery goes well and I wish you all the best! This is a great site and the people are very welcoming supportive. Please keep posting on your progress. If the Canadian Government would wake up and see the major savings in Healthcare that would be had, if they were more supportive of Bariatric surgery, then maybe one day more patients would get the care they need. Here are a few interesting facts from another forum that I go to. These are based on stats from BC but they would probably be applicable for any province: A diagnoses of morbid obesity (>40 BMI) is like being told you have cancer. Your chances of surviving 5 years is about the same. Cancer surgeries are NOT optional. Why would obesity surgery be optional for people with >40 BMI? The MSP plans spends $1700 more on services for the average obese person in BC per year. 19% of British Columbians are Obese – 750, 000 of us. Over 55% of British Columbians are considered over weight If you're >25 BMI and have been longer than 5 years, your chances of returning to a normal weight without surgical intervention is less than 5% If only 20% of obese British Columbians were treated with WLS, there would be a $1 Billion Dollar return to our Health Care budget over 25 years I find that last statement to be staggering. Anyway take care, and you will be in my thoughts as you start this amazing journey! Cheers, Heather

I am seeing Dr Amson. As for co-morbidities I don't have many either. I have had lower back surgery for a ruptured disc last Dec, and three years ago I had to have knee surgery but that is pretty much it. The major problem I have right now is Hidradenitis supperativa. It is a skin disease and although it is not caused by obesity, it is very much a factor in the severity of the disease. Right now I am at a stage 2 (worst being stage 3), most days the pain is bearable but some days I cannot even go to work. I am hoping my surgeon believes that wls will improve the condition and consider it a factor when scheduling my surgery. It's all I can do for now. Where are you going to have surgery?

Thank you all so much for the very warm welcome. I was not sure for a while whether I was going to have the sleeve or the Rny. I have more concerns with the Rny and especially the absorption and bowel obstruction issues. Based on the pros and cons I have set my mind on the Sleeve. Also, I eat healthy food, no refined sugar, no hydrogenated fats, no red meat, no alcohol, nothing preserved, or any white flour, rice or pasta. I have been eating this way since July 29th and to date I have lost 24 lbs. my problem is portion control, not choice of food, and for this reason I believe the sleeve is the choice for me. My first appointment is Nov 16th and I am so excited. I look forward to sharing my journey with all of you and wish you all the best. Thanks again.:thumbup:

Hi there I am new to this forum and I think it it a great forum with tons on information. I want to have the VSG but the wait is loooonnngggg....I live in Northern BC Canada and I have my first appointment Nov 16th 2009. I hope to be done in three years or less but that is probably how long it will take before my turn comes around. I look forward to life after sleeving and I will wait it out as I cannot afford to go to Mexico and selfpay. Thanks to all you who post here it is a wealth of information for newbies such as myself.:001_smile: