Travelling (Canada) For Lapband -- Questions And Concerns!

[Shackwacky 72]

Well I am definitely doing this! Just trying to sort out logistics, and this is a biggy. I have to fly from Alberta to Toronto for the procedure. I will need to fly in the night before, stay the night directly after, and fly back home the following day. From reading the surgery-day stories, it would seem that some of you had a tough day (or days) immediately following the procedure. Is this a problem maybe? I will be travelling alone, so it will be a couple airports, one piece of luggage, and approximately five hours all told. Should I be giving it an extra day?

And on that topic, I am using airmiles for most of my flight. But for you out of towners contemplating doing this, there are a few things you need to add to that budget Flights from out of province are not cheap. You will need a hotel for two nights for sure, more likely three or four. If you are not travelling with someone, you will need to either pay extra to stay the night at the clinic (Slimband) or pay a nurse $20 per hour to go back to the hotel with you and stay the first night (SWLC). Cabs to and from airport, centre, hotel etc. So I am thinking I have to budget an extra $1500 at least, it would be more if I was paying cash for flight

The other concern I am trying to get addressed is what happens if for whatever reason I have to return to the surgeon (repairs or problems). I have been assured that the procedure itself is warrantied, but so far I can't get a definitive answer on whether or not I will be reimbursed at all for travel costs. If (and I don't expect it to, but I like to cover my bases when I am running up debt) something were to happen that required me to be back in TO for repairs, I am looking at all the travelling costs again plus down time at work.

Anyone else dealt with this yet? Input much appreciated!

I think there is such thing as Too Much Information. I am obsessively reading everything I can find on the net, and there are some amazing success stories as well as some crushing defeats. I should learn to stay away from the posts that detail complete train wrecks and warn any and all to stay away from ************** etc. I am overthinking, I know. I am confident in my choice of centre and surgeon, now the devil is in the details and I am keeping myself up nights

Thanks in advance.

[wildrose1966 396]

My clinic did not want me alone day of and day after surgery, I am not sure I would have been traveling while still on painkillers. It is a tough call because you have no idea how you will be feeling, everyone is different. Some haven't been able to get out of bed for 7 days and other back to work 3 days post op. Is there anyone in TO you can stay with for a few extra days?

I can't imagine that you will be reimbursed for travel costs, as you chose the clinic you are going to and I would imagine that there are clinics much closer to your home. You can however claim all of your expenses on your income tax for a refund.

Good luck to you and safe travels.

[ElleG 394]

How are you going to get fills and follow up with your doctor? You should be going back at least monthly. Does your doc require any follow up?

[line-dancer 810]

I would think thst your doctor would have past clients you can tslk to about this who had to do it the same way. They shold be a good resourse for you specially if they do a lot of them. that is why I went to a clinic who only does this. good luck on this I hope everything goes well.

line-dancer

[Shackwacky 72]

Fills and follow ups are done here, by my family doctor (who was trained by Dr. Cobourn). I don't know anyone in TO unfortunately, and no, we don't have a clinic here in Alberta that can do this procedure. I am not eligible for the one in Vancouver unfortunately, so these are the only two locations.

As for asking people who have been through it......I am hoping that some of the past clients of SWLC that have made this trip will see this post and fill me in on how they managed it.

Thanks.

[spark 10]

I live in Alberta and just had my surgery in TO with Dr. Cobourn on Aug 24.

Make sure you don't have to lift your bag, roller only.

Is your surgery wed or Friday ?

You have to stay at least 2 nights after the surgery. If its planned for Friday then you'd arrive Thursday and the soonest you could leave is Sunday.

That's a long flight, and sitting puts pressure on your stiches, I'd honestly stay an extra day if you can.

Driving sucks because of the angle you're at so definitely take a small pillow with you to be between you and the seat belt... And if you need to cough.

Where do you live in Alberta?

[spark 10]

Youre welcome to pm me or phone me if you'd like.

[spark 10]

Why does it post multiple times?

[spark 10]

.

[Shackwacky 72]

Thanks Spark -- my surgery is set for a Wednesday so I guess I should book flight home for Friday afternoon. How did you feel by two days post op?

Did you stay with friends or do the hotel/nurse thing? I have to figure out a good close hotel and a babysitter for the Wednesday night.

I am in Grande Prairie, where are you from?

[spark 10]

I would stay longer if you have the option, I don't think I would've been comfortable enough to fly 2 days after. I'm in Edmonton.

[spark 10]

I stayed in a hotel with my fiancé. Good time to watch a bunch of movies.

[spark 10]

They've got a couple of close hotels that they give you a deal at.

[Shackwacky 72]

Ya, I don't have much of an option since I will already be away four days. Kids at home still. I do think they gave me the names of a couple of hotels, I will double check that.

[kyrasgrandma 228]

There should be a list of hotels in the package they gave you (mine was emailed to me since I am 3.5 hours north of Toronto.)

I am being banded on a Friday and will stay at my cousins place at least till Sunday. Then I hope I will be able to drive myself home Sunday.