mlm

Hello, LIke all of you said I called MSI as my Family Coverage with Blue Cross does not cover LapBand surgery. I called and the Registration Dept said they dont give the information so she transfered me to the people who done the approval and I spoke with Debbie.When I got in touch with her she asked for my health card information and number.I explained to her if the lap band is covered if your doctor is suggesting it. ___> as soon as I said lap band she said" Well every situation is different and it depends on the person.I asked what information needs to be put in teh letter and she said the doctor would know that information. I asked what approval is based on)comorbities or health conditions) And she said every condition is different only the worker getting teh file can make a decision..... I dont know what to think.......Where can one find out what Nova Scotia MSI thinks are reasons enough. What has to be put in the letter the doctor sends..?? If I apply now and MSI will pay for everything but the surgery and I dont have the money for the Lap Band itsself how long is the quote that they will pay the procedure itself for?? Thanks, mlm

I am in NS and am getting a referral to Dr.Savoie. I am trying to hve my procedure which ever on Dr.Savoie recommend to be covered under MSI. I have these conditions and am wondering if they are comorbites to have the surgery as well as for MSI coverage?? I am 27 years old weigh 236 pounds and am 5'3.5" tall and have a BMI of 40. -Suffer from depression and am on medication daily -Stomach issues which require me to take 3 doses of Domperidone daily and 1 dose of Pantaloc daily. -Low B-12 which I recieve an injectable shot weekly for -hypertension/high blood pressure which I take a pill for daily -Diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome -previous history of thyroid condition my hip and leg joints bother me while sitting for more than a 45 minute drive and i cant walk up stairs without being out of breath. Due to the aches and pains in my hips ,legs,and back I was encouaged to see a Massage Therapist which I am doing.I tried swimming lessons twice and weight watchers and different gyms nothing helps to keep the weight off.

well only one can see.my depression is sever it was only for blue periods and am on a very low dosage. so if i have to go through a physcological exam i know i will pass.

oh come on I know you are all very knowledged in this.

I'm in Nova Scotia.My Family Dr. didn't know of Dr.Marc Savoie so I had to get his info for my Dr for my referral. The address it had online for him is 404 George St. in Moncton But someone mention he is doing the operations in Bathurst Hospital in Bathurst,NB .....I am wondering if they are in Moncton NB or Bathurst NB? thank you, melanie

Hey Guys, I went and asked my Doctor what he thought about my weight and we are in agreement I need to loos. He asked me why I felt I was a canidate for WLS as as I explained: I am 27 and 5'3 1/2" weigh 234 pounds with a BMI of 40. Since my weight is where it is: I have hypertension/high blood pressure Irrital Bowel Syndrome Diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Stomach issue which result in me taking Domperidone and Pantoloc Low B-12 My legs,and hips and back hurts all the time.... When I asked for a consul to a Weight Loss Surgeon Consult ,he thought I just wante dto see a dietician.... I explained my self and he said there was only one in Toronto and not in the Atlantic provinces. I explaine dthat I researched this many months and there is a Doctor in NB and gave him the name. My doctor told me to get him the contact information and he would send off my referral. He said he didn't think MSI would cover it and I explained he needed to send teh form and state why I would benefit from it..... So as soon as I got home I faxed my Dr and His reception the WLS contact information and also reminded hime that he needed to contac MSI and explain why I need this surgery...As he didnt write my reasons why I would benefit I wrote them on the fax I sent him...... I made it clear to him this just isn;t a spur of teh moment thought and I want to be taken seriously. I so want this to go through.I am praying for it . I want to be healthy. Some doctors think going to the gym will help they just dont get it.

who are the drs in ns doing wls and what types of wls do they do??

Hey All, I know of all the surgery types and I have no idea which the surgeon will recommend for me. I would like an explanation of Slleves,and Bypass in "our common descriptions" rather than medical jargen...?? And why did your dr recommend the route you took? Thanks

oh someone must have his contact info...?? someone mentioned getting my family doctor to send in the request to msi . they told me that they have to have the surgeon send it in .for 2 reasons: the surgeon will have to do the consult to see if your a canidate if at all -they would know what procedure you are best suited for - so the surgeon can send in the specific information about what type of surgery to see if its covered. who sent in your referral? how long ago was that??

Well my situation is I am 27 years old.Weigh 235 pounds and my BMI is 40.... I have hypertension- which thr=e doctor just doubled my dose of hyzaar, irrital bowel syndrom,stomach issues fir acids so they put me on pantoloc and domperidone,aching in my back and legs. I constantly have a hunger feeling all the time. I just dont know what route to take. If I had the band from my understanding is it makes you full quicker therefore you arent always hungry all the time.I am willing to excerise and diet but just dont know what direction I should go in..I want to be informed before my consultObviously though I would take his recommendation as well.... Your thoughts... thanks

thanks clempier. im going to research them now... i have an apt with my family physician this week.he wasnted the contact information for dr.marc savoie ? does anyone have his number and fax number and mailing address or hospital name?

so what are the types of wls does dr.savoie preform? I know he will be doing the lapband and whic other ones?

aww sorry to hear you are having a hard time there with the french language.... did you move there for work? mel

Hey Argon, Yeah I am going to look into it. My french is pretty non existant. You lived in NS for a while right? You moved recently to Quebec? Thanks, Mel

Hey Argon, I called MSI about 2 months ago and they would hardly tell me anything over the phone other than normally these surgeries are not covered. I explained to her that in cases they were and she advised me that it is all based on the individuals case of if it is covered and to what extent. They do need a letter from the specialist (such as Dr.Beaulsoliel or Dr.Savoe stating why you need this surgery and that it is recommened that you have it.Atthat point your family Dr has nothing to do with it. I called MSI today and got the same story and when asked about in another province they couldnt give any information other that it is based on need. How else could I find this out. I would have the cash to go to another province for consults and etc would they cover that at part of the medical expense? I know in most cases you have to pay for the band even if MSI pays.... Yep 5 years to get ito Dr. Beausoliel for the consult!! And if you apply to another Dr they take your name of of his (dr.Beaulsoliel) waiting list for consult... Thanks, Mel

Update: I found the number for the hospital - they needed to know alot of information from me to to get the number for Dr.Savoie's office. Anyway I did get the number but no answer .The machine said today they are taking calls after 9 AM. I will try again later. What type of surgeries does Dr.Svoie do?Is is just Lap Band or what other ones related to weight loss? Thanks, Mel

hello, Well I called Dr Beausoliel office and spoke with the lasy at the desk. She advised me that the wait is very long even for a consult. The consult waitlist is close to 5 years. At one time you also needed a referral from a spealist as well as your family doctor but that changed and now she said you just need it from your family doctor. I am trying to call Dr.Savoie's Number but I cant seem to get the number. If anyone knows it I would very much appreciate it and let you know what I find out... Thanks, Mel

does any one have dr savoie's office number?

Hey Argon, I tried calling the office but it was closed. I will try maybe tomorrow and find out if the referral is need from a family dr or another type of specialist. And wait times? What is your update? Where are you at in the process? Mel

thanks argon! your coment: (now that I look back at these other posts, I remember something about having to get your referral from a specialist, not just your family Dr. This is something they'd be able to confirm if you called Dr. B's office though. Do it!!) Just wondering what you mean about that? (The referral from family dr and lap band specialist for who?MSI?) Im looking up the number now. Thanks, Mel

I am going to my family physician to get a referral to Dr. Beausoleil. I am wondering how long it takes to get in to the referral apt? I am wondering this as I need time to save up for the procedure. I know some had to wiat 2-3 years for the actual date of surgery after their first rferal meeting .But how long does it take to get to see him for the referal from the time your family dr makes the apt? I know that MSI told me Dr.Beausoliel would have to write them teh letter as to why I would benefit from what ever procedure(Lap Band,bypass or etc) he recommends..... Is this the norm? Thanks, Mel

hi macaulie4, see every province is different. and by all means i am just telling ypu want NS MSI told me. It is true that that bypass is govered in NS via MSI but Lap Band is not. I have never actually heard anyone here in NS get the full/whole procedure including hospital and band covered 100% . I have heard that the MSI pay for the hospital and medical expenses but Not the band. Also MSI basically in around about way divulged that if any was covered it would be medical expenses and not the band -that was the farthest they would take it.... I dont knwo what your next step would be as I am kind of in teh same boat. You can challenge your government MSI or whatever they call it in PEI however if they have a limit they may not change it but you can try. Did you se eteh specialist? If not it maybe best to speak with him and see what route is best for you then make a plea to your coverage. Just my thought and ideas, Mel

If you are from Nova Scotia and going to a doctor in NB. What MSI told me was that you need to get a referral from your family doctor to go to the specialist. When you get that referral your family doctor has to write a letter to MSI that he recommend you to have this surgery and for teh reasons why....... I questened NS MSI as to what is based on coverage for Lap Band and they said it depends on the person and their situation as everyones is different. (I then questions if half was paid for or in cases of all it paid for-she adviced me that this isn't an surgery that is normally cover so for all of it to be covered is rare or not possible- she did hear of some people getting everything covered except the band) But she again reassured me its based on an individual basis. Again that is just what I was told. I thought it would have to be the doctor to recommend to MSI why you would need teh surgery and the type of surgery(ie: lap band,gastro bypass and etc) ??I mean that is something a family doctor wouldnt know..... Did your guys family doctor or surgeon write the letter to msi to apply for the coverage?? thanks, mel

Wondering what comorbidites are insurance (provincial ) or otherwise are they looking for? To assist in paying for a portion of the surgery?

Thanks guys for all your advice. I know that Lap Band is not a "magic soultion" I know it require work and exercise and will power. But knowing people were in the same boat as me with not alot of activity before teh procedure then afterwords they seen a light at the end of the tunnel gained motivation to work out... I was feeling deressed when someone said oh no you have tobe alwyas active before hand. It is nice to know some werent. Mel