Hi folks,

My name is Kelly and I am so glad to find this site with all info I need. I've been obese all my life, but hey, isn't that everyone's story who is here. I've asked my doctor months in a row for a request to be put in for a gastric bypass. He finally had his receptionist put one in to a doctor in a different city and was told each time I asked that there is a five year waiting list.

It's no longer about vanity, it's about being able to continue to walk and continue work for the next 10 -17yrs. I have no idea as to when I'll hear from Dr. Marc Savoie in Bathurst N.B. and I know it will come down to his decission as to if I get this proceedure done. I've never been to Bathurst and am nervous as to actually getting there and where I will have to stay. Will I need someone to drive me home after I'm released from the hospital or will they let me drive the 5hr trip alone? As far as I know this surgery will be covered under medicare.....Thank God. I know my body will be a mess after the weight loss, but it's a mess now. Medicare will not cover cosmetic surgery on the extra skin that will be hanging. But I am SOOOO looking forward to being LIGHT!!!! Folks don't know what it's like carrying an extra 100lbs around everywhere.

This is the beginning. The beginning of the wait. hee hee

Thanks for listening everyone!

Medicare B covers 80% surgery, if you have Medicaid that covers the rest. As far as skin afterwards rest easy because if u get rashes, boils, etc. Medicare DOES cover the skin issue with a doctor documenting the sanitation and health problems caused by it.

Keep with it and also may want to check other places, I know the place I'm getting mine done doesn't have a waiting list just a set amount of things one needs to do before they schedule. Others have less some have more but first I've heard of 5 years.

Wow, are you saying you have a possible five year wait from now? If so, I'm so sorry, but in any event you hang in there and stay positive. Your time will come, and in the meantime hang around and learn all you can. There are a lot of caring people here, ready and willing to offer support!

Welcome!

I do not think they will let you drive home from the hospital. It is a little too soon. You will need someone to drive you home.

5 yrs is ridiculous. Find another doctor. I know every case is different. As soon as I finished all my appts they scheduled my surgery. Took about 3 or 4 months

@jdc121975@James Marusek : Ahh crap! Don't have anyone to drive me. Think they'll let me take a taxi to a bus station?

Taxi would be better or find a friend. Good Luck!

@jdc121975: I'm sorry, I forgot to mention I'm in Canada. So, as long as a doctor suggests it, it will be totally covered by our Medicare System. So that is why we have the five year wait, we are very short on doctors here in New Brunswick. But the extra skin would be considered cosmetic and will not be covered. Not unless I'm having those skin issues you've mentioned. Eewww. Or if it's causing psycological problems. But it took asking my doc three months in a row about getting a referal. I figure that at age 50, five years will fly by. I believe that I'd still need to be approved by the surgeon first. I don't have health problems other then getting crippled up and this affects my work. So if I lose control again and gain any weight it doesn't come off so easy at 50. I would be in a walker or wheelchair if I gained more. My feet just can't handle it. I don't have high blood pressure and I'm not diabetic but if I'm not following Atkin's Diet then I binge uncontrollably on carbs. And we all know what results when that happens.

@kempermorris: I don't know if my doctor was trying to discourage me or see if I really, really wanted it done. But I'm here in Canada and we are very short on doctors here in the Maritmes. The operation and stay will be covered 100%, but the downside is the waiting period. It's not emergancy surgery and like I said I'd have to go to a different city, a 5 hour drive away. It was discouragiing to hear about the wait but I felt that if I said Okay nevermind, then five years from now I'd be kicking my ass. I've just turned 50 and realize just how fast time flies.