Hi everyone,

First, I'd like to say I have read many threads and I am really impressed with the spirit of helping each other out. Compared to other forums, I think what we have here is pretty special.

Anyways, whats the deal with Calgary? I'd love some insight into the politics around lap band in Calgary, can you share some of it with me?

Here's what I know so far:

I've learned that Calgary has a weight loss management program that is the gateway to Alberta health care paid bariatric surgery. And, if I want to pay my own way, it isn't available in Alberta.

Last Sept (2007) I learned that I needed a doctor's referral to the program, so I contacted my respiratory doctor that is treating my sleep apnea. My resp dr referred me to Dr. Lau at the foothills hospital. I've been waiting all winter to see Dr. Lau. My first appointment was last tuesday ( may 6, 2008)

I wasn't happy with Dr. Lau. He told me that Lap band is out of the question because I am unable to receive anesthetic due to my sleep apnea.

Then he started lecturing me on how my lifestyle is killing me. (grrrrr)

He wants me to go on a diet and exercise program, that he will supervise. All I could think about but did not say was "he must be pretty smug to think he can accomplish something that has not worked....not my reading 3 million books, trying 2 dozen diets, exercising obsessively at least 3-6 months a year, personal training, weight watchers, lifestyle coaches, etc........is he really that smug?"

Anyway, I bit my tongue, I don't want to burn any bridges. If you look up Dr. Lau profile on google. His career and credentials are impeccable.....and he just offered me his personal e-mail address so I can ask him any question, and send reports on my progress. ( something that might be a favor that he is doing because I work for a fellow colleague of his)

What pisses me off most about the appointment, is I still haven't a referral into the weight loss management program. I've waited 6 months, and I got nothing but a waste of time. My family physician doesn't know anything about the weight loss management program, but he said he would be happy to write me a referral if I can provide him with contact info. I should have done this back in September. Especially since I've learned how long the waiting is between each step.

On another note: I want to start a diet and exercise program ( yes, I agree that was good advice from Dr. Lau - LOL) but I don't feel inclined to deal with him. Does anyone know if he has connections to the weight loss management program? because I don't want to snub Dr. Lau just to find our that I've screwed myself with the weight loss management program.

Here's my plan:

-I want to enroll in the weight loss management program so I'm on the waiting list. I understand its a 2-5 year journey to get to the operating room, but at least I could get the clock ticking right away.

- I wanted to take their workshops to help me learn more about lap band

- And, I want toe follow their diet and exercise program, and as lony as it is working, I'm prepared to wait for surgery.

- However, if my diet and exercise program starts to fail like it has too many times, I'm prepared to pay my own way and go after the surgery.

Well I guess this is long enough of a message. Talk to you again soon!

Best of wishes to you.

Tyler

Edited May 9, 200818 yr by Tyler883

Tyler:

I was banded just this year in Feb through the Weight Management program.. it's a fabulous program .. however you may want to check as I have heard grumblings that they have lost their funding due to cutbacks to Health Care...

Good Luck

Not only that, but I hear that there are over 800 people already in line for the 25 surgeries per year.

I'm beginning to think that healthcare paid surgery is really a ploy to keep private surgeries out of Alberta.

Hey Tyler...The process thru the Weight Management Centre in Calgary does work. I first heard about the new program in May 2006 and when I went to my doctor for my annual checkup in August I asked for a referral...In May 2007 I went to my first session at the WMC at the Colonel Belcher...I went to numerous wonderful seminars where I did not hear the same old thing...many of them focused more on why I eat and not what I eat...for me that was huge...not that it totally stopped me but sure made me more aware of what and why I was putting in my mouth...I didn't believe I was going to be approved for the sugery as I don't have any health problems other than I am obese as you can see from my stats below. My nutritionist and one of the program coordinators told me in January that they had been approved for 100 surgeries in 2008 and that 10 of them would be for people without health issues...I guess I was one of those...In November I met with one of the surgeons and in March I got the word I was approved subject to my pre-op clinic appointment which was today...so my birthday present to me is I am good to go on June 12th...I am so excited and so nervous but it is wonderful...good luck to you and all the best...

Hey Tyler...The process thru the Weight Management Centre in Calgary does work. I first heard about the new program in May 2006 and when I went to my doctor for my annual checkup in August I asked for a referral...In May 2007 I went to my first session at the WMC at the Colonel Belcher...I went to numerous wonderful seminars where I did not hear the same old thing...many of them focused more on why I eat and not what I eat...for me that was huge...not that it totally stopped me but sure made me more aware of what and why I was putting in my mouth...I didn't believe I was going to be approved for the sugery as I don't have any health problems other than I am obese as you can see from my stats below. My nutritionist and one of the program coordinators told me in January that they had been approved for 100 surgeries in 2008 and that 10 of them would be for people without health issues...I guess I was one of those...In November I met with one of the surgeons and in March I got the word I was approved subject to my pre-op clinic appointment which was today...so my birthday present to me is I am good to go on June 12th...I am so excited and so nervous but it is wonderful...good luck to you and all the best...

Hi Susan, congratulations on getting a scheduled surgery. I am so happy for you. Oh, and btw Happy Birthday!!!

Thanks for mentioning how great the WMC program is, I suspected that it was great, but didn't know how to go about saying that while trying to explain why I probably wont use the program.

thank you

Tyler

Hi Tyler,,,

well to be honest alot of things I listened to in the classes were things that I had already knew. Like you I have done alot of reading. I did some research on Lap Bands before I went to my family Dr.

Not saying this is a bad thing,,,it just reafirms all the information for me...and alot of times we had discussions which brought out many other thoughts.

I went and saw Dr. Church and was told as of that time there would be no more surgeries that were not all ready books. They were capped out. So I am looking at 2009. I admit I was very disappointed. I was also disappointed to hear that Natalie is no longer with the program. We had some good talks.

Angie

That is my experience, too. When I took the 'Living Well' workshops, they only served to re-affirm the information that I already knew.

I've had personal trainers describe my knowledge of bodybuilding and exercise at an intermediate to advanced level, too.

So here I am. The fat kid that already knows how to eat and exercise yet I am not doing either one well. And, the people that have made carreers out of helping me want to treat me like an idiot.

So last month I wrote a letter of concern to the CHR regarding the cutbacks to the Weight Management Clinic in Calgary, and I got this response by letter today:

Thank you for your letter date April 17, 2008 regarding your concerns of the Calgary Health Region's the Lap Band Surgery Program. The position of the CHR and the Department of Surgery is very supportive of the lap band surgery that you yourself had, and we are very supportive of an expanded program in Calgary for the lap band surgery.

The Lap Band Program was started in 2006 and we reported early success with our patients' outcomes. I understand you had your surgery in 2007. We are not funded currently to provide this service to the population that requires it in Calgary. We are funded at this time up to 25 cases per year. We believe that this is a much needed service and that the Obesity Management Clinic and the Lap Band Surgical Program need to be expanded. Consequently, we are working on a strategic plan to take forward for funding submission. We thank you very much for your concern for this very important public health issue.

Sincerely,

Andrea Robertson

Vice President

Interventional Services and Foothills Medical Centre Administration

JJ,

thanks for sharing that letter with us. 25 is worse than edmonton, but i think edmonton is only 100. i have heard that the edmonton program is fantastic as well. i suspect the edmonton and calgary programs are very similar. seems like the waiting lists are the same anyway! at last check, the waiting list in edmonton was over a 1000. i have also heard of a swlc opening out west here, i didn't realize it was out of the banff hospital, i thought it was calgary. either way - much closer than TO which is where i am going. thanks again.

Tyler,,I always like to be informed,,so do alot of reading,,,researching before I attempt the first time. My family Dr. knows when I bring something up,,,I already know the whys and hows,,,just sticking out there for him to give me his imput.

I went to Dr. McKenna first 2 years ago...this felt more like councilling,,,we talked about my food intake,,,work outs. Checked my metobolic rate...checked it again cause she had never seen one lower. We delved abit into my emotional eating. But the outcome was,,,I know right from wrong,,,I know the right foods...the exercises. Can talk circles around some trainers,,,,and yet I am obese. My fault. I even eat healthy,,,then I eat more,,,unhealthy stuff. So if I can stop after the first part I would not be where I am today. Waiting for my chance to have this surgery...

I sure didn't get a helping of patience...more like a second helping of junk food...ha

Hi everyone,

just a quick update, I have something that I am looking forward to this monday. I am going to have a discussion about the lap band with my boss, friend, and physician ( this is all one person )

Although, I feel that I want the surgery, I look up to this guy a great deal. So I've been relying on his objectivity and professionalism a bit. Although I'm excited about the positive track record of the lapband, he has force me to read and understand the risks and complications to it, too.

One of the reasons I'm looking forward to this monday's meeting, is he has told me that he wants to personally( not as an employer) help me out with the costs. This floors me, no one has ever treated me that well.

I've only known this guy for about 5 years, and he has been a real class act in every way. A real people person and IMO a true humanitarian. And to top it all off, I probably already owe him my life, because it is his algorythms that are in the CPAP machine that I use to breath every night. my sleep apnea is severe enough, I might have already had a heart attack or stroke.

Wow Tyler! Thats great. He sounds like a fantastic person!! Good luck.

That fabulous Tyler...there are amazing people out there and I am very happy that you have one as your guardian angel...good luck...

Oh Tyler,,,you are truly blessed. Im happy for you. This guy sounds like a good person.

Angie

Hi everyone,

just a quick update, I have something that I am looking forward to this monday. I am going to have a discussion about the lap band with my boss, friend, and physician ( this is all one person )

Although, I feel that I want the surgery, I look up to this guy a great deal. So I've been relying on his objectivity and professionalism a bit. Although I'm excited about the positive track record of the lapband, he has force me to read and understand the risks and complications to it, too.

One of the reasons I'm looking forward to this monday's meeting, is he has told me that he wants to personally( not as an employer) help me out with the costs. This floors me, no one has ever treated me that well.

I've only known this guy for about 5 years, and he has been a real class act in every way. A real people person and IMO a true humanitarian. And to top it all off, I probably already owe him my life, because it is his algorythms that are in the CPAP machine that I use to breath every night. my sleep apnea is severe enough, I might have already had a heart attack or stroke.

Tyler,

That is great and you are very fortunate.. and I am glad he wants you to do the research understand what can go wrong along with what goes right. This is a life time commitment and requires changing your life sometimes in smaller ways and sometimes in bigger ways. I think there are too many people who jump in without doing the research or understanding the complications and what they can do to your physically but mostly mentally...

good luck it sounds like you have placed your trust in a good man and in turn he is placing his trust in you and putting some skin in your game!

Heather

the problem with doctors is they are very busy. I got cancelled today.

No problem though, my plans are for Sep, and the place I have contacted is taking bookings 5 weeks out.