I am in the considering stage right now and just doing my research. If and when I get banded it will be in Toronto (I only live about 2 hr n/e of Toronto). I was wondering how long it took from the time you made the initial phone call to the clinic to the time you had your surgery? Was there a waiting list? I am curious to know if I inquired now, would I have surgery before the summer or are we looking at into the fall sometime?

Money is also an issue for me. We are a low income family and really couldn't afford a big debt like this. I know I am worth every penny and am willing to make some sacrifices to pay for this. I am also wondering if anyone knows of any Canadian insurance companies that cover the cost or at least cover a portion. I would be willing to get insurance and wait whatever the required waiting period would be, just to be able to reduce the cost of the surgery (and my family would have the benefits of the insurance too!). It would be nice to get banded as soon as possible!

Thanks!

~Dawn~:cry

Hi Dawn, Im not banded yet, I sure will be interested in seeing more reply's to your question. Your situation sounds exactly like mine.

I'm glad to find someone else in the same situation as me! When and if you are banded, will in be in Toronto as well? If you find out any info that you think I'll benefit from...please pass along and I'll do the same!! Like I said in my previous post, it's mostly a matter of paying for it!! Possibly considering selling my first born!! (LOL!!)

~Dawn~

Well I was banded on Feb 2, at TLBC .my phone consult was two weeks before that. I was rushed to have the pre op done, but every thing went fine.

Best of luck to you

I was done at the Surgical Weight Loss clinic. When I booked it was about 6-8 weeks from the time of the consult. It only took a week or so to get the consult after I called to ask about it.

Andrew

Of course each clinic will vary and what is currently a 4 week wait for surgery time can be 6 to 8 weeks later....it all depends on how many people are booking for what time frame. You'd have to contact the respective clinics and inquire re. how long in advance they are booking.

I was banded a year ago (TLBC) and had to wait 6 weeks for my date...but that was my choice (my schedule); I could have had it within 3 weeks. My husband just had his consult (TLBC) and by the time he has his surgery (4 May) he will have waited 4 weeks since his consult.

I have the same situation as you...I have a lot of dept..I could very well add this surgery to my dept, I will feel more comfortable if we were in a better financial situation. I eat, sleep dream and pray that I will win the lottery, even if I could win the 16,000 I would be happy...I guess it will all happen when the time is right...I definitly will pass any information I recieve, maybe we should get a ticker to see who is closer to paying off their dept! HA HA

i did my consult over the phone with the TLBC on april 5th and set up the operation date on may 4th (same as MR. YODA, 2 hours earlier)

Hi: Provinces vary, but you can get Weight Loss Surgery under the public medical system if you are willing to wait a few years. If you are low income, get your doctor to refer you to the surgeon authorized to do gastric bypass or band in some provinces to get on the waiting list. Then if you win the lottery check into a private clinci. You are covered both ways. The public list is only going to get longer so don't wait too long. Doreen

Hi guys, it took me 6 weeks from my consult to my surgery date.