Hi everyone!

I'm on the waiting list for Drs. Davey/Birch at the Royal Alexandra Hospital here in Edmonton. I was told to expect a call in early 2008 for an initial consultation with their nurse sometime between April-June 2008.

I am curious if anyone else here had their Lap Band surgery with either Dr. Davey or Dr. Birch that could tell me what to expect (what the process is after the initial consultation) and what you think of the doctors and their after-surgery care, etc.

Thank you!!!

Wow Pam, no I don't know anyone who has been banded at the RAH but I am from Edmonton...sorry I can't be of more help.

Hi Becca! :wave:

Your surgery date is sure coming up fast! Who is doing your surgery?

Hi Pam, I too have never seen anyone around here done by Davey/Birch. They're probably all still waiting too! Sorry, bad joke.

I'm on the waiting list for a consult with Davey and Birch for an RNY, and still haven't gotten that call! If I ever do, I think I might just pass it up

Hi Pam, I too have never seen anyone around here done by Davey/Birch. They're probably all still waiting too! Sorry, bad joke.

You could be quite right though! Their waiting list is long! I've met several people online who had their RNY with Davey/Birch but never anyone who got a Lap Band. I'm starting to wonder if I'm their very first Lap patient or something. *looks around nervously*

Anyway, nice to meet you argon! :wave:

Dr. Coburn in Toronto is doing my surgery. I'm going the self pay route though. That was a funny comment Argon. Why haven't we seen anyone banded in Edmonton around here? I know they do it here....hmmmmm

Are you going to Toronto to avoid the long waiting lists in Edmonton?

Yes, exactly, and I don't want to go through all the red tape with the insurance company and then find out in the end I won't be approved.

I don't know why there aren't any Edmonton bandsters... maybe there are and they're too shy to speak up? I honestly think there are alot of people who go into things like the lapband not knowing ANYthing about it. They might have gotten lucky, and got in on the lapband test group, and just went for it, cause it was faster.

We are SO lucky to have access to the kind of people and information you can get here. And Pam, if nothing else, you are going to be SO ready and prepared for it when it happens for you!

I used to live in Edmonton, and Spruce Grove!

Are you going to go to Calgary for fills, Becca?

***edited to add: I'm an idiot! Sherriberri was banded in Alberta. Pretty sure she said by Dr. Davey! You need to talk to her! Hopefully she'll chime in soon ***

Actually Dr.Coburn is coming to Edmonton this month to train a doc so I'm in luck, I just hope he's good!

I guess he's going to Ft. Macmurray as well and somewhere else in northern Alberta but I can't remember where.

Oh good! Hopefully sherriberri will stop by and say hi then!

The waiting lists here are at least getting better now that Dr. Birch has joined Dr. Davey. When I first started this process 3 years ago, I was told that I was looking at a 3-4 year wait (back then I was going the RNY route)!!! :omg:

But now it's only supposed to be 1 1/2 - 2 year waiting list. I've been waiting a year so far...no word on a consultation date yet.

Hey guys:

I am chimming lol, yes I was banded by Dr.Davey, and I have sent her an email hopefully it helped!!!

Cheers

Oh gosh I think that might not be the right spelling, sorry!! my fingers go faster then my brain sometimes.

Cheers

Sherritofastberry

I was recently approved for a Lap-Band with Dr. Birch. One of my questions was "How many bands have you put in?" He said that in 5 years, he's done about 50. That's not a lot really.

At any rate, I don't have a date for the surgery yet, but it I can tell you it took 12 months from my request for a referral to my first date with the Weight Wise Clinic, then another year of hoops and weight loss before approval. My next surgeon meeting is May 26th, and I hope I'll get the final surgery date then. :leaving:

JenB

P.S. Read more about me at My Big Fat Weight Loss Journey

the clinic in edmonton is only funded to do 100 (i think) per year which explains the extrememly long waiting list. so you can imagine which 10 are getting the band - the very sick, ++co-morbidities, etc. This also might explain why dr. birch had only done 50 in 5 years depending on when that was. the program is a lot different than TO, counselling, dietician, psych, etc. - lots of "tests" before getting surgery, if you get surgery. there is no guarantee that a referral means surgery. ultimately, it is always better to lose weight without the surgery but that doesn't make it any easier for those of us who have the weight but not the co morbidities, "too healthy" is what i was told despite the fact i have 90 lbs to lose. the program i think certainly prepares you better for what is to come if you do get surgery and in my opinion, it would be nice if everyone could get that education before surgery. it would be my choice to go through the program and then get the surgery. but that just won't happen in edmonton. i'm paying myself, surgery is june 3 at swlc.