Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
My surgery is scheduled for March 5 in the U.S.
I have secured coverage for the surgery through Canada's OHIP and been ok'ed by the Surgeon, Dietitian and the Psychiatrist.
I am good to go.
Recently I was contacted by Humber River Hospital in Toronto Canada.
I am a Canadian who has been on a waiting list for Gastric Bypass Surgery in my own country for over a year.
Now in the 11th hour I have an appointment with the surgeon in my own province (Ontario) on Feb 12.
My next appointments for the Dietitian and the Social Worker are on March 23.
I am told by those "in the know" that after that I will see the surgeon again (probably April) and at that time my surgery will be scheduled fairly quickly afterwords (May).
I am also in the way of knowing someone who has been sent home "to work on her diet" by the dietitian at this facility.
Naturally this persons advice to me is to "Run To the States"
Here in Northern Ontario very little is known about Gastric bypass surgery.
My doctor has already told me that if I get into trouble he can't help me.
The reasons for staying in my own country are many.
Not only will I have far better access to health care, less problems with OHIP in the case of an emergency but also our Northern travel grants pay for all my trips to Toronto.
Oddly they will not pay for any excursions to the States.
The trouble I have went to to secure my surgery in the States has been a nightmare.
Now I have to go through this again, jumping through hoops and waiting even longer.
People have shedualed time off work to go to the U.S. with me only to find I am strongly considering having the surgery in Canada.
But what can I do, out of country carries a lot more risks.
Everyone knows this and agrees with me but I feel like I am losing support.
I am scared and don't know what to do.
I could sure use some support and advice.
Thanks, Vickie
I have secured coverage for the surgery through Canada's OHIP and been ok'ed by the Surgeon, Dietitian and the Psychiatrist.
I am good to go.
Recently I was contacted by Humber River Hospital in Toronto Canada.
I am a Canadian who has been on a waiting list for Gastric Bypass Surgery in my own country for over a year.
Now in the 11th hour I have an appointment with the surgeon in my own province (Ontario) on Feb 12.
My next appointments for the Dietitian and the Social Worker are on March 23.
I am told by those "in the know" that after that I will see the surgeon again (probably April) and at that time my surgery will be scheduled fairly quickly afterwords (May).
I am also in the way of knowing someone who has been sent home "to work on her diet" by the dietitian at this facility.
Naturally this persons advice to me is to "Run To the States"
Here in Northern Ontario very little is known about Gastric bypass surgery.
My doctor has already told me that if I get into trouble he can't help me.
The reasons for staying in my own country are many.
Not only will I have far better access to health care, less problems with OHIP in the case of an emergency but also our Northern travel grants pay for all my trips to Toronto.
Oddly they will not pay for any excursions to the States.
The trouble I have went to to secure my surgery in the States has been a nightmare.
Now I have to go through this again, jumping through hoops and waiting even longer.
People have shedualed time off work to go to the U.S. with me only to find I am strongly considering having the surgery in Canada.
But what can I do, out of country carries a lot more risks.
Everyone knows this and agrees with me but I feel like I am losing support.
I am scared and don't know what to do.
I could sure use some support and advice.
Thanks, Vickie
My Surgery is scheduled in Traverse City Michigan (1400 KM round trip). Humber River Hospital in Toronto is less than 350 KM away.
Crystal
I don't understand why this can't be done. These facilities are far too comfortable with saying NO to every request that is made of them. After all we want their service BAD.
Does anyone have any ideas on who I would appeal to for this kind of help?
I was thinking I could ask Dr Sullivan on my scheduled visit in Toronto on Feb 12.
I need Toronto to make a commitment to aftercare.
I am very worries some nut/dietician will decide to make me go home and work on my diet like she did with a friend of mine.
We eat by the Canada food guide here because my son has a heart condition and I know how to read labels but you never can tell with some folks :(
I have heard that this surgery is life changing and that includes who stays and who goes as far as friends and sometimes even family.
I have been sitting back and taking it all in and I can say the behavior of some people is a real eye opener.
People who you think would have your back do not and some people just shine.
It's very emotional but I have to focus to get through this.
I need to keep my eyes on the prize, take care of my total health, stay with the positive and steer clear of the negative.
This is very very hard.
My family doctor in northern Michigan was very against GBS and especially because of Munson. His exact words, "I don't think they've worked all the bugs out yet" with the surgery, and have very little follow-up. I gave him literature and told him about Barix after my surgery, and he was very impressed - especially with the care and follow-up - and said he may refer future patients to them.
My advice is to get the surgery from someplace like Barix where that's all they do. They have it down to a science, and you're not apt to be a guinea pig for trainees at some local hospital. It's well worth the trip!
Good luck, hun.
PS. One month after surgery, I went to Florida for the winter season, and have been doing blood work at labs down here, and follow-up appointments by phone with Barix. They really work with you! I didn't have to do a pre-diet, and Dr. Nunn (always going to seminars on the latest techniques for GBS) has never lost a patient. The staff are all wonderful and kind. I just can't say enough about them.
Now I am really nervous.
First I was told by a friend of my husbands who I happened to meet at the Information Seminar in Traverse City that she had already made the 11+ hour trip to Ypsilanti only to be told that our insurance OHIP will not pay at that site as it is not a certified " Center of Excellence" as is Munson.
Perhaps Munson has come a long way.
I know that they have their own building behind the hospital called The Munson Medical Bariatric Center.
My Dr is Dr. David Kam who joined the center in 2007 and has done over 800 bariatric procedures, including laprascopic Gastric Bypass and adjustable gastric banding.
He is Board Certified in surgery and surgical critical care.
He was a trauma and general surgeon in Lansing where he developed The Sparrow Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program and was a full time surgeon in Ypsilanti.
I feel he is a very competent.
He has a pleasant professional manner and a firm handshake (strong steady hands:).
I find myself being swayed towards the States.
Alternately having to lose 10% of my body weight at this point would be devastating.
It is really sad for patients in Canada that the two teams will not work together.
It's a tough decision. However, you could be right. Munson may have come a long way since they now have a new building just for GBS (which they have to pay for). Competition for surgery seems to be escalating.
I apologize if I made you more nervous. Please don't be nervous. Stay focused. Did you see the movie UP? The dog in it often got distracted by squirrels. Don't let the "squirrels" distract you. And you'll do fine, even if you do have to have a pre-surgery diet. Just do what your gut is telling you to do and get healthy. You've done all the hard work already.
God bless you, hun.
I have had an extreme run of bad luck over the last few years I would have a stroke if they started stalling because of some power tripping Nutritionist or Social Worker.
I have already been given the green light by a real Psychiatrist, a certified Nutritionist and a Board certified surgeon I don't need further hassle. I tell you I just can't take it.
As for the costs, Ohip has approved me for only 25,000 so I guess Munson will have to make due ;)
At my preop I will be getting Unjury which is the States version of Optifast (it is also cheaper)
I have ordered Bariatric Fusion Vitamins online http://www.bariatricfusion.com/ recommended by another member of this board.
Additionally I have a U.S. address a block from the border which I can have items shipped that cannot be sent to Canada. I will have to pick them up when I pass through the border to go for blood work.
Sadly all the costs for traveling to the U.S would not be covered, In Canada, because I live in the North the travel is covered by the Northern travel grant. They will not pay for tarvel to the States.
Interestingly I have secured beautiful accommodations including breakfast, pool and hot tub (for my companion)in Traverse City for 40$ a night.
Toronto would be 3 times that at least.
I just don't know, my son has serious health problems. I need to get this over with and turn my attention to both of us eating healthy and getting better.
I am mature enough to wait for the best option but I don't know what Canada has in store for me.
What Canada intends to do with me is an unknown.