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Canadian Frustrations!

*Amanda*

By *Amanda*, in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

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*Amanda*    2

*Amanda*
Posted

I'm from Alberta and found a surgeon in Quebec, paid the consultation fee for a telephone conference two weeks time. We'll today was the day and he didn't call! Booked time off work for this call to be private. Does this happen a lot? For appointments to be juggle around a lot? I'm a self paying Canadian that wants a sleeve in Canada :(

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TimZor    3

TimZor
Posted

There are not many private surgeons in Canada, and even fewer bariatric surgeons. I have done A TON of homework and research, and have decided to go down to Mexico for my surgery. I know what you may be thinking - "surgery in Mexico is not safe", but that just isn't true. Yes, there are a few dodgy "surgeons" in Mexico, and even some good ones that are not quite as ethical as you may hope, however if you do your research, you will find that there are some amazing surgeons in Mexico that can provide an experience that is safe and maybe even better than what you would get in some places in Canada and the USA. Some of these surgeons perform two of three surgeries a day, were trained in the USA and have been surgeons for 20+ years. The work in private first-class hospitals which are fully licensed and staffed. I highly recommend you look into this option. But, keep in mind, you NEED TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK!! Do NOT select a surgeon based on price! Wishing you the all the best.

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canam60    7

canam60
Posted

HI, I am also from Alberta, and I am considering the Mexico option. Have you made any decisions?

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TimZor    3

TimZor
Posted

Hi canam60. I have going down for surgery to mexico on Jan 22nd, and can send you my thoughts about it afterwards if you would like. My suggestion - check out youtube videos. There are MANY vloggers who share their stories, including videos of their entire Mexico experience. Good luck on your decision!

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canam60    7

canam60
Posted

I have narrowed it down to 2 places, WLSC and MBC, both in Tijuana.... DR Kelly, or DR Cabrera

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MichelleMary    18

MichelleMary
Posted

I am in Saskatchewan and am having surgery with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico on Jan. 27th! :)

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MichelleMary    18

MichelleMary
Posted

Sorry to hear that happened to you Amanda. I can't imagine your frustration and disappointment. Has he given you a reason as to why he never called?

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TimZor    3

TimZor
Posted

MichelleMary, when do you fly in? I have surgery on the 22nd but don't leave until the 27th and will be in the hotel on the 26th! I'll be freshly post-op at that point. I think Dr. Aceves is the best choice of surgeon in Mexico. Wishing you all the best!

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MichelleMary    18

MichelleMary
Posted

Hi Tim! That is so exciting!!! I am flying in on the 26th. I've been researching for months upon months and am very confident in Dr. Aceves as a surgeon. I always swore I would NEVER go to Mexico, that is until I found out about Dr. A. I would love to meet you when I am there. Where are u from?

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TimZor    3

TimZor
Posted

Yes, I felt the same.... didn't want to go to Mexico until I found Dr. A.

Where I'm from... kinda complicated question. I live a rotation of two months in Vancouver, BC, and then four months on a cruise ship (cruise ship employee). I fly home on the 18th, spend two days at home, and then fly out to Mexico for my surgery. It's going to be crazy, but I'm so excited!

Not sure if you have a WLS Facebook account or not but if you don't, I highly suggest that you create one. Feel free to add me if you want. (Timzor Canada). There are a bunch of amazing people out there to meet and get info from. YouTube is also a FANTASTIC resource.

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jacileggs    402

jacileggs
Posted

Hello. You do realize that alberta health care now covers bariatric surgery. You need a referral tithe bariatric clinic. There's one in Medicine Hat. I got my physician to refer me in June and I am booked for surgery jan 21/14. No cost other than travel. They do sleeve and bypass there. I was glad to find this out because I had actually borrowed the money to to great falls and have it done. The bariatric clinic has dietitians, therapists and nurses all at your disposal. It's a great place. Anyways I hope this may help and possibly save you some money.

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canam60    7

canam60
Posted

  • I was under the impression that you had to have a higher BMI and there was a long wait and other hoops...

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jacileggs    402

jacileggs
Posted

Not such a long wait. Initial appt in August and my surgery is January. Not that many hoops. Worth it to look into it. I was looking at $15000 in great falls. Glad I waited.

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ZoobDude    7

ZoobDude
Posted

I had my surgery in TJ, MX. It was an amazing experience. I'd sooner do it there than Great Falls.

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Go To Topic Listing Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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