Hello, I just found this Forum on the Sleeve Talk website and was wondering if there were any fellow Canadians out there. I am waiting for my first appointment Nov 16th in Victoria with Dr Amson. I want to have the VSG and hopefully asap. The wait is about three years, from what I've been told, and unless I can find 15,000 dollars somewhere I'll be waiting it out LoL. I'd love to here from you!:patriot:

Good Morning, It was so awsome to read everyone's posts. Wow a nice group who has it all together. I am so temped to go ahead and book for surgery to be done elsewhere, instead of waiting for the nine months in the program I am involved with. Stoongal can you tell me where you got your surgery done at? That is so affordable for me. I love to get to know everyone better. Have a great day!

Good Morning, It was so awsome to read everyone's posts. Wow a nice group who has it all together. I am so temped to go ahead and book for surgery to be done elsewhere, instead of waiting for the nine months in the program I am involved with. Stoongal can you tell me where you got your surgery done at? That is so affordable for me. I love to get to know everyone better. Have a great day!

I know how you feel, as a pensioner I would not have been able to afford the $1000 (with our dollar difference) to go to the other Mexican hospitals. Besides I know a girl here who had it done back in April and she lost 65 lbs in 4 months! She had gone to Emmanuel Medical in Tijuana for the same reason, least expensive. It isn't anything fancy, but the surgean is top rated and excellent. I wrote my experiences there in depth on another thread. Click on my name here and in the drop down menu it shows see all posts by Stoongal, click on that, and then check out the latest ones.

Call Shirley at 1 866 806 1090 for the rates & any other info you need, I see they have a new special for the sleeve $5500 with airfare for the 21 Oct. if you can pay in advance.

I don't blame you for not wanting to wait!

Cheers,

Donna:001_cool:

so you mean to tell me that you paid 1200$ for your surgery?

so i take it if you were to break down the tests, hospital and hotel accomodation from the surgery it ends up cheaper? how long ago was ur surgery and what have been your side effects?

ALSO can any one tell me where to find a thread about side effects/ bad experiences:ohmy:

I paid all the travel expenses. My surgeon has a Canadian clinic four hours away. All pre-op and post-op is done there.

Sorry for the slow reply. My in-laws are not well.

Samantha

Hi Hottstuff,

That is how I read the costs. Check out the complications area - you would probably find the side effects / bad experiences.

VSG Complications Support Group - Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG) Forum

I have been reading for the last 6 weeks or so. Everyone seems to have a few days here and there where they don't feel as well, and the 3 week stall that many experience. However, I haven't seen anyone who regrets having it done - even those that had surgical issues. I seem to recall Tiffyicans having had issues - but I'm not sure if it was because of the surgery, or other reasons. There is someone else that had a feeding tube - but again - not sure the details.

You just have to read lots.

Nancy

$1200 was for travel. OHIP paid $34,000 for the procedure.

Hello!

I am also a patient of Dr. Amson. I live in Surrey, BC. I have been waiting it out these last 4 years. When I went to see Dr. Amson in September I got a DATE!!! I could not believe it. I go to Victoria for surgery Nov.18th for the vertical sleeve.

It is a long wait, so you must be patient. Some days you get so frustrated but eventually your day will come.

We'll have to keep in touch.

Angela:smile1:

Hi Hottstuff,

I am planning to have the procedure done in November in Mexico. I am just trying to decide with who and where. Have you decided yet where you are going?

Hi Angela,

Nice to hear from you. You must be so excited after waiting for such a long time. Nov. 18th will be here before you know it. Will you be following a pre-surgery diet? If so, do you have all the details yet?

Keep us posted on how things are going.

Nancy

Bewitched,

Do you mind sharing the name of the Dr. / Hospital, etc. you went to in Cleveland. Sounds like a really long shot to get it approved, but I might as well try. In addition - do you have a break down of the costs for your surgery?

Thanks,

Nancy

Welcome to the forum Angela - wow - the patience you must have to have waited 4 years - I am so happy you have a surgery date - we will be looking forward to hearing your journey!

Hello Nancy

I saw Dr. Philip Schauer at the Cleveland Clinic. My surgery was high risk due to the myasthenia gravis. It cost $34,000 US. Normally the surgery is $21,000 US. That includes all tests, post-op and meds while in the hospital. They due weekly telephone followups with you.

Thanks,

Samantha

Hello, I just found this Forum on the Sleeve Talk website and was wondering if there were any fellow Canadians out there. I am waiting for my first appointment Nov 16th in Victoria with Dr Amson. I want to have the VSG and hopefully asap. The wait is about three years, from what I've been told, and unless I can find 15,000 dollars somewhere I'll be waiting it out LoL. I'd love to here from you!:thumbup:

*waves from SK*

There're quite a few Canadians on here. Even one from my small town! *waves to Stoongal*

Have you phoned and asked to be put in the list for cancellations? I've heard on the other board that someone got in years early because they took a cancellation at very short notice. Also are you on Dr Tang and..Dr somethingbeginningwithanR's waiting list? I lurked for about a year on the provincial boards hoping to get surgery in-country, then up and went to Mexico. It was 9500 with Dr. Aceves. Dr Reyes has an excellent reputation and is about 5k, I believe. :eek:

Ivy

Hi Angela,

Nice to hear from you. You must be so excited after waiting for such a long time. Nov. 18th will be here before you know it. Will you be following a pre-surgery diet? If so, do you have all the details yet?

Keep us posted on how things are going.

Nancy

Dr. Amson hasn't given me any pre-opt diet for my sleeve surgery other than liquids the day before surgery. Is that normal? I hear about pre-opt diets that last 2-4 prior to sleeve surgery. I am thinking about doing a liquid diet for 1 or 2 weeks before my surgery.

Pre-op diet - Dr. Aceves has his high BMI patients go on a high protein/low carb diet one week before surgery - 70 g protein/30 g carbs - no restriction on calories (try to keep lower in fat) as it isn't meant to lose weight but to toughen and shrink your liver so that it is not in the way of the surgical instruments and doesn't bleed if rubbed against. The first two days of this diet were not hard hunger wise but hard for the withdrawal from all the carbs - such a headache! Now I am so glad I did it as post surgery, I didn't have to suffer from carb withdrawal at all - could just concentrate on healing. I recommend it. As for going on liquids before surgery - you will have enough of liquids after surgery that to prolong it with the diet beforehand seems crazy! Good luck with whatever you decide :thumbup:

Well guess what??? Yup you got it! I am booked for my surgery with Dr. Aceves for November 10, 2009! Wow..I did not think it could happen that quickly. I have so many questions.....lol.....how big is the incision? Does Alberta Health Care reimburse any amount of the money? Can I claim it as a tax deductable? Do I bring a night gown or pj top and bottom?....lol..see a variety of questions....is anyone else getting the sleeve in November with Dr. Aceves?