MarieF

Has anyone been banded by or heard anything about Dr. David Rohrer, Dr. Amy Elizabeth Martin, or Dr. Dale Mortenson from Benifis Bariatric Institute in Great Falls Montanna? I'm from Alberta and waiting to get in to a Dr. here, but concidering self paying if the wait is too long. How long did it take to get in and how much $ if you did. thanks, Marie

Thanks Jenilee, Glad to hear things went well for you! How have you been doing with your new band? I had a chance to call on Monday and the girl I talked to said the price was between 13 and 18,000. I think because I haven't committed to them yet and because I am in Alberta she didn't want to give me a firm price but it sounds close to what you said. I wonder if the price is different depending on the Dr. you use. There is supposed to be a private clinic opening up in Calgary this fall, I was told it would be 17-18,000 so going to Montana would be cheaper, and not much farther to drive for me. Thanks again! Marie

Hi Bellabean, How'd your appointment go? Marie

Hi BellaBean, How long did it take for you to get in to see Dr. Rohrer? I've been waiting since May to see a Dr. here in Alberta and still haven't heard anything from him. If I do finally get in to see him I won't have to pay anything cause Alberta Health Care will cover it but I'm not sure how long I am willing to wait. It can take well over a year to get in to some of the dr's here so I may self pay and go somewhere else if it is that long. I don't think Mexico is for me, I don't doubt it is safe but my concern is aftercare. Are you paying for your band yourself? Do you know how much Dr, Rohrer charges? They sent me a package in the mail but gave no prices, just a phone # and I haven't had a chance to call during business hours. Good luck with your appointment! Marie

Hi Jogirl. I was referred to Dr. Farries back in May and haven't really heard anything yet but it has only been 3 months. My Dr's office called to check on things and they were told that they were waiting for the OR schedule (or something like that) for this fall before they could book anymore consultations so I am hoping to get in by November. Weird thing is my dad just went to his family dr to see about a colonoscopy and he just got booked in October to see Dr. Farries.:thumbup: They must have to book his WLS around other general surgeries. I still haven't ruled out self paying in Ontario or Montana, I'm just not sure how long I am willing to wait! Marie

Hi Angie, I just "joined" today when I saw your post. I just got referred to Dr Farries last month by my family Dr. I started out being referred to the Weight Wise program in Edmonton and waited about 13 months to hear that they were basically only accepting patients from Capital Health Region (which I am not in) so I would remain on the wait list for who knows how long. Anyway, I read on anther forum about Dr. Farries in Red Deer and had my Dr. send in my info. They contacted me a couple weeks later saying they were reworking their program and would need the info resent as they were currently booking for consultations from a list of about 200+ patients. My Dr. sent in the info in the next morning and we were told I was 100th on the list and it would be 4-5 months before I would get in (I'm finding out the more I read that this isn't that long!) They said I would then need to see him once a month for 4 - 6 months and then have the scope & test & everything before booking surgery. So I am gathering from this that I could have my surgery within a year if everything goes as they say. I am also on the cancelation list so I may get in sooner. I'm not 100% sure of this but I don't think he has done alot of lap bands and I think he is pretty new to laproscopic RNYs as well. Sounds like he has done lots of open RNYs but just started lap. Hope this helps! Marie