Can any one share with me if you have had the lap band covered? I was told OHIP did not cover it and now a few people (not experts) have told me that they know people who have had it covered by the provincila healthcare????? (not sure how reliable they are??)

Help!!! I am self-paying so this is freaking me out.

To my knowledge OHIP still does not cover the band, but I am sure that some Ontarians will confirm that.

Some Provincial plans like Alberta cover it but there is a pretty good wait.

Andrew

No, there is no coverage in Ontario for the lap band. I understand the freaking out part. I was hoping to do the surgery over a year ago, but once I saw the price, I knew it was out of the question. I am going for it in October though.

Hi there, I too paid for my own procedure.

OHIP does not consider this "tried and true" as yet and ONLY approves R-n-Y Gastric Bypass IF your BMI is 40 or you have at least 100+ lbs to lose and have co-morbidity issues.

A GF of mine had her Roux-n-Y approved and paid for my OHIP, (Feb ' 07) she went to MICHIGAN to the Barix Clinic in Ypsilanti and they were AWESOME!!! she is extremely happy with the care and results.

But her doctor wrote an explanation; High BP, Arthritis, Asthma - candidate for a heart attack and could NOT wait the 3 yrs. it takes to get the proceedure in CANADA.... so within 10 days OHIP faxed back the approval.... and voila 12 wks later she had her surg. in Michigan.

I went with her for moral support... she started at 260 and is now in the 180's.... pretty remarkable.

HI, I'm another self-pay from Ontario -- I did check and NO, OHIP will not cover the Band only "the bypass" ... but I'm banded now (as of yesterday) so now my adventure begins again .... MaryPat.

Welcome to bandland CraftyLady.How are you doing.?

Welcome CraftyLady to the Band! ( Love the name)

Hope all is going OK Remenber to walk and walk and walk to rid yourself of the Gas . Good Luck, each day gets better and better!