Hi everyone, it's nice to find a place to chat with bandsters. I am a wannabe. I have been researching Lapband surgery and believe it is for me. I have made an appt with my doc for Jan. 3/07 to start the referral process. In my province (Alberta), it takes about 2 years - I'm not sure I can wait that long! There are a couple of clinics in Ontario that perform the surgery for $16k, yikes!! I am currently a university student and struggle to pay my tuition, let alone surgery. I'm hoping for a miracle - maybe I'll get in sooner.

Nice to meet everyone. I've enjoyed cruising around for the last few days reading posts. This is a very necessary and information packed site!!!

Janice

Hi Janice, welcome to the lapband forum. Best of luck to you getting through the approval and waiting period. Hope its not 2 years, yikes.

Hey Janice, I am from Calgary as well.

I know what you are saying. I was refered to 2 clinics in Alberta this summer. From what I was told by them is it was 1.5-2 years before you get a consult, and then possible another 2 years before surgery.

Tell your Dr. to also refer you to the Dr.Mitchell clinic in Calgary (I will try to find the contact information). They have also started to do bands in Calgary, but are limited to performing 25 per year. It never hurts to be on 2 lists, and then you dont have to travel to Edmonton for care.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew. I wasn't aware they were doing this surgery in Calgary. I have an appt. with my doc on Jan. 3/07. I would really appreciate any info you could give me about the Calgary surgeon.

Janice :girl_hug:

Thanks Andrew. I wasn't aware they were doing this surgery in Calgary. I have an appt. with my doc on Jan. 3/07. I would really appreciate any info you could give me about the Calgary surgeon.

Janice :girl_hug:

I am not having the surgery in Calgary, but Dr. Mitchell performs the surgery for patients who are approved by Alberta Health Care. I am having the surgery in Missasauga by Dr. Coburn and then Dr. Mitchell will do my fills in Calgary.

When I get home I will try to get the info, and if I cant find it I can ask my Dr. when I see him in Thursday.

Andrew

Andrew, would you mind if I asked what your reasoning was for going to Dr. Cobourn rather than having the surgery in Calgary or Edmonton? I assume it is the wait time but I don't like to just assume. I appreciate any discussion that may help with my journey through this process as well but, of course, I understand that this is your personal journey as well so I would also like to respect your privacy.

Cost is a huge factor for me as I am a full-time student in the middle of my degree. However, waiting for the AB Healthcare system to process me is also a huge factor as I am in a high risk category for some medical problems. Very frustrating!

Janice

Janice I feel for you, I'm in the same situation (being in Alberta). I chose to go with Dr.Cobourn and take a loan out to pay for it. I will be working my a** off to pay for it but it will be worth it in the end. Good luck.

Welcome Janice

Best wishes on your exciting journey ahead!

becky

Hi Janice, I was banded June 16/06 in Surrey, BC by Dr. Leung. I know he's banded patients from AB in the past. The cost is $12,800 and once you get all your tests done, the wait for surgery is around 3-6 months. This might be an option for you. Wishing you the best of luck and remember, the band is a "tool" and not a miracle for weight loss. You have to still diet, exercise and not cheat it.

All the best,

Sandra

Vancouver, BC

Thanks Sandra. I'll look for some info on Dr. Leung. By the way... are you in Alberta or BC? Does Dr. Leung do your fills as well? The price is much better than the Ontario clinics but are there other costs that I need to consider.

Thanks, any help you can offer is great!

Janice

Janice,

There were a number of factors that lead me to choose Dr, Coburn over having the surgery done in Alberta. Primarily it was the wait time & approval process. I did not want to wait another 4-5 years to have the surgery. I am 32 and was never really concerned with my own death. I thought, "Oh well, I am overweight, and will die a little younger than I should." I was comfortable with that fate as I know that I had given my every best effort to lose weight.

Then my son was born in May, and I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. My outlook on life changed, and I all of the sudden wanted to me around to see the milestones in HIS life. Graduations, weddings and all those things I had just been through. I did not want to leave my son & wife without a father. If I had to wait another 4 years, it would likely cost me 10 off the end of my life interms of what my current weight is doing to my health. I was on the slow march to 400lbs.

My son is 7 months old, and right now he does not know that I am overweight, but soon he will want to ride bikes, play, go on roller coasters and other things that my weight precludes me from. I dont want to be on the side lines in his life because I am overweight.

I dont see the band as a cost I see it as an investment in my life.

I know it is expensive, and it is a decision that you cannot make lightly given that you are a student. I was in post seconday for 8 years and I remember what it was like financially. I have a student loan payment every month to remind me.

The Ontario Dr.'s are expensive but I feel that I am in the best care there. My wife was adamant that I was not going to Mexico for the surgery.

Sorry for the long winded reply, but that is why I am having the surgery, and not waiting for the richest province to shake a couple dollar out of it's coffers to help me.

One alternative that I did find was this clininc in Denver http://www.lapbandrockies.com/ which is $9950USD which is the cheapest I have seen outside Mexico. I have seen a couple if people here that have used them and reccomended them.

You may also want to look at this clininc in Mexico, it looks like it cost $6990USD which is the chepaest I have seen. There are several people here who have used this Dr.

Andrew

Thank you Andrew for your reply. Your reasons are certainly admirable. Your son is a lucky boy - he has a great daddy!

I also look at this as an investment, right now an investment without any financial investors. I'm not sure I will even qualify for a loan but I am determine to try and finance this somehow.

I feel the same way about Mexico and I also think it would be difficult to get a doctor in Calgary to do fills, etc from surgery performed in Mexico. I understand that Dr. Cobourn has doctors in Calgary that will do fills under his direction, however, you do have to pay for their services over above the cost of the surgery. By the way... do you happen to know what your additional costs will be over and above the $16,000? Thanks for the other suggestions, I'll investigate them as well.

Janice

Janice. If you came to Surrey, BC, it would only be 13,000 (less if you don't require a night in the hospital - some people don't) and fills are free. 2 years is a long wait. Implement the loan in with your other payments maybe? That's what we did; consolidated everything. It would be so worth it!

Good luck to you,

Kat.

Hi everyone, it's nice to find a place to chat with bandsters. I am a wannabe. I have been researching Lapband surgery and believe it is for me. I have made an appt with my doc for Jan. 3/07 to start the referral process. In my province (Alberta), it takes about 2 years - I'm not sure I can wait that long! There are a couple of clinics in Ontario that perform the surgery for $16k, yikes!! I am currently a university student and struggle to pay my tuition, let alone surgery. I'm hoping for a miracle - maybe I'll get in sooner.

Nice to meet everyone. I've enjoyed cruising around for the last few days reading posts. This is a very necessary and information packed site!!!

Janice

It is my understanding that Dr. Mitchell will do fills for patients from Mexico for a cost of $130. I know that I have to pay for my fills in Calgary too, which is still cheaper than flying to TO.

Andrew

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