catincanada

my surgery was canceled as well! I am right there with you' date=' complete devastation!!! mine was booked for Sept 5th. they refunded my deposit. and was told to find a new surgeon. I called Dr. Amson in Victoria right away.. close to the same price. and wait time is about the same.. for me it is better anyways as I am from vancouver Island so Victoria is a better travel with expenses and all.. I should have just gone with Dr. Amson in the first place, but i had heard he was really expensive.. It was wrong info.. I hope that you have found a surgeon and all goes well with you..[/quote']

Aww I'm so sorry to hear it was cancelled for you too! I've heard really good things about dr amson, so I think I'll call him. I'm getting married in August, so I might just wait until all the wedding stuff is over with before going to see him. I got my money back thankfully! I was worried about the price of amson as I heard it was expensive!

Thank you for your response' date=' I think I will contact them. I'm more confused than anything now. He's been a dr that's trusted by many and I really like him. Maybe it is just changes in where he can work, so I need to find out! I know a few people who've had surgeries by him with nothing but positive experiences! Thanks again for your suggestion! I'll for sure be doing that![/quote']

I just got some more information today. Apparently the Fraser health authority has put a moratorium on lap band surgeries being performed in the delta and surrey hospitals. So they would now need to be dperformed at a private centre. There are some of those around.. But crazy that would happen and me no get any advanced notice at all... Well I feel better knowing it wasn't just about my dr!!

catincanada - How disappointing and frustrating. I cant imagine going through all the preop just to be cancelled last minute. It might be worthwhile contacting the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons. They are there to help British Columbians with questions and concerns about doctors and their practices. Hopefully you will be able to find an alternative that works for you. I am in BC as well and will be having my surgery next week with Surgical Weight Loss Center in Vancouver. My experience with them has been good so far. They might be worth checking out. Hope things work out for you in the end.

Thank you for your response, I think I will contact them. I'm more confused than anything now. He's been a dr that's trusted by many and I really like him. Maybe it is just changes in where he can work, so I need to find out! I know a few people who've had surgeries by him with nothing but positive experiences! Thanks again for your suggestion! I'll for sure be doing that!

Oh my' date=' I would call them tomorrow! I only got the call this afternoon... I'm sure he has many patients who are going to be disappointed. Like I said before, I don't know what's going on but they said they could no longer perform the lap band surgery in the delta and surrey hospital! I'm going to call them tomorrow for more information, I was too shocked to ask any more questions today.[/quote']

Oh also, on Friday they called to move my surgery time up by 15mins and wanted to inform me! I thought when I saw I missed their call this am it was about confirming my surgery time... Not to cancel and give me back my money!

I am booked with Dr. Woodhead for September. I spoke with the clinic this week. I have not been notified of a cancellation as of yet but now am a little concerned...yikes.. so much planning to have it cancelled. I hope that all works out well for you.

Oh my, I would call them tomorrow! I only got the call this afternoon... I'm sure he has many patients who are going to be disappointed. Like I said before, I don't know what's going on but they said they could no longer perform the lap band surgery in the delta and surrey hospital! I'm going to call them tomorrow for more information, I was too shocked to ask any more questions today.

I would be holding my breath until I got my money back. Something sounds shady!

I know!! It does seem shady to me... I'm pretty sure I'll get my money back though. I don't really want to think aboutt he alternative!

I'm so happy that I saw your thread. I am from Surrey and was banded on Friday (July 6th). I chose a doctoring Victoria. He's been great. I've not heard of the doctor that you mentioned but I wouldn't be discouraged at all' date=' he did four of us that day. Lol. In addition I know the cost of the ferry is a challenge BUT the dr.'s office gives u a pass that pays for car and driver, sweet!!!! Lol.

Please feel free to message me. U seem down and u don't need to stay that way![/quote']

Thank you so much for posting!! Who was your dr in Vic? If you want to send a private message that's cool. I went to this dr n recommendation from a support group that used to be held at lions gate hospital, I really liked him. He's done many fills for people I've chatted with etc so I felt pretty good about going to him... But yeah not so happy right now! Getting over the disappointment and into the pissed off state lol.

I went and saw a drin Victoria a few years ago when I wanted to know more about gastric bypass and sleeve as those surgeries are covered... He was quite rude but iguess not everyone has a good bedside manner it's the type of surgeon that counts!

As u are self pay i would find another surgeon and just go for it .. make sure all the boxes are ticked with things like fills and added costs etc and that they come woith good reviews etc .. dont let this curve ball u have been thrown put u off' date=' get on that phone and find another surgeon ...

hoping for a good outcome for you <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

There are plenty of Canadian bandsters here maybe one of them can help you with some more info on other surgeons[/quote']

Thank you! I went to this guy because he was recommended by other people here, but there are other surgeons around.

I Googled him and found nothing' date=' but the good news is I can't find any news stories forbidding Lap-Band in BC, either. My guess is something has happened with him specifically that prevents him from doing the surgery.

I know it's frustrating, but perhaps find a new surgeon?

Best wishes to you,[/quote']

Oh it's not banned in bc, apparently it has to do with those cities or something, I have no idea honestly, they didn't tell me much of anyting! Thank you for the good wishes! I'll look into other surgeons

Who is your surgeon? Did he give you a reason why?

Dr.woodhead, I only got to speak to the woman who mans the office, she didn't know anything else except to say they've been thrown for a loop as well and that she didnt know anything else.

Hey guys, I haven't posted in a long time and never in here though I've been reading on here lately since my surgery was supposed to be Wednesday morning. I just got a call from my surgeons office saying they just got a call and are no longer allowed to perform lap bands in delta, bc and surrey bc and those are the cities my dr works out of. I've been doing the pre surgery diet, I've payed $14,000 and I've mentally prepared myself. They said I'll be getting my money back and although that's very important... It's the extreme disappoint that I'm not sure how to deal with...

I honestly feel shocked right now. After 2 years of scrapping together the money and making sure this was the choice for me, I felt like I finally had hope.. It was such a hard journey to get to this point. I'm feeling so defeated.

I don't really know what to expect by posting this, I just don't know who else would understand what I'm feeling!

Hi I am currently awaiting insurance approval for the Realize Band. My Brother Tony had Gastric Bypass 10 years ago. He had severe health issues including severe Diabetes. He did wonderful with the weight loss part. He lost 100 lbs in 6 months. I know that sounds like alot, but he was a bilateral amputee, having lost both legs below the knee from complications of Diabetes. He went on to lose 40 lbs more to complete his goal. One of the drawbacks for him was the side effects of malabsorption, dumping syndrome. He suffered with that aspect for the entire time. BUT Having th RNY changed his life. He was off of all prescription medications, went on to complete 2 college degrees and did live life to the fullest. I lost my brother Tony in June of this year. Although he had "kicked" being a diabetic, he had severe damage to both kidneys from the years of Diabetes being out of control. Before his death, he made me promise that I would not give up my dream of being healthy and I have not. He really wanted me to have the band because of the side effects he suffered with. I started researching the Realize Band last year, but waited until after my brother passed to pursue it. I wanted to be able to take care of him through his severe illness and death. Sorry for the unloading! The bottom line is that choices are just that...nobody can make them for you. You have to make an informed decision and totally be at peace with that decision...Best of luck to you in your weight loss journey!

Oh Jillian! I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your brother! I am happy to hear that he got to enjoy and fully live the life he did have, and it sounds like he had much love for you and you for him. I really have been doing my research, and the sounds of the gastric are really frightening, I wanted to go with lap band originally because it was minimally invasive, recovery time was fast (I have a running toddler.. can't be out of commission for too long!) and I'm sure that with the restrictions needed to make the band work, would really help me in my weight loss journey. My family dr said I should be looking into this now so that I dont run into more complications with health, such as diabetes, which both my parents suffer from. As well, I plan on having more children in life, and not only do I want to set a good example, I want to be able to survive the pregnancy a little easier than last time! Even though gastric by pass sounds freaky, I thought I should at least talk with a surgeon to hear it from him, since the other suggested I look into it. I'm so proud of everyone here who's working so hard!

Mariasha! That's so wonderful to hear! It's fantastic to hear someone who's my age and weight going through this and doing well :thumbup: I'm a determined person, but with all that's happened in the last 2 years to get me where I am right now, it'd be a difficult thing to get me to the gym everyday, but I do go for walks everyday, and chase after a running toddler! Man.. are my arms and shoulders strong lol.

Hey Cheri,

Thank you so much for the reply. I've seen that there are quite a few people here who have been able to lose big with the band, which is very inspirational. I'm so glad to hear that the band has been working for you! I've been invited to attend a local lap band meeting group, which unfortunetly this month I couldn't make, but I'm for sure going next. I've talked to a few people on here, but I think perhaps in person it'll be a more profound things to hear and see. In the felsh so to speak. The next step I suppose, is to find people who've had gastric and talk to them about it.

In BC where I'm from, MSP doesn't cover lap band surgery, but they do cover gastric by-pass and gastric sleeve. It certainly would be easier just to say, forget the lapband, I can't afford that.. but I dont want to make this choice just based on the money, it's my future right! Need to make the right choice for me. I think it's silly they cover the other surgeries and not this one.

THanks again for the message!

Hey everyone! My names Cat, and I've been in the process of looking into the lap band and other weight loss surgeries to help me with what my dr calls the "monumental" task of losing 200+lbs. I'm 26 years old, a mother to a hyper 15month old boy, a student in my 4th year of my bachelors and 2lbs shy of 400lbs. I recently had a consultation with a lap-band surgeon, and he said he has no reason he wouldn't perform the surgery, it's up to me, but with such a large amount of weight to lose, perhaps I should look into gastric by pass. At least talk with a surgeon and see what it's all about. He told me that with a lap-band, and at my current weight, with work and diet, I should expect to lose about 80lbs. Seeing as that's barely a dent in what I need to get gone, he said unless I'm that rare 1% of people who take it to the extreme, he wanted me to be aware of the average results. Although I appreciated his honesty... I was hoping for a more inspirational talk! lol. Anyway... I was just wondering what you fine group of people thought, and how you're feeling about your choice as a person of size to go with lap-band versus other options.

The other things weighing on my mind, which I dont want to decide the choice of surgery on, but hey, it's there, is my surgery would be out of pocket (and my pockets dont go very deep!) Where as gastric by pass or sleeve would be covered for me. Isn't that aweful?! At my size it's not a "cosmetic" surgery lol.

Thanks for listening guys, hope to hear back from some of you!

Hi; Welcome to a fellow British Columbian. I had the surgery in Tijuana with Dr. Ortiz as I wanted to do it as quick as possible and I also was a self pay so it cost me 8,000 to fly to San Diego and then after pick up have the surgery and fly back. If you are wanting it done in Vancouver the False Creek Surgery clinic costs around 16,000 but they have a very good reputation. I have lost 33 pounds and I wish it was more but I still lose a constant pound a week so I only have 38 more weeks to be at my chosen weight. If you are on the Island they have a support meeting once a month at the Vic general and it is really good to go and share your ups and downs. I wish you the best as you start your journey and remember one step at a time. :thumbup:

Oh that's fantastic that you've lost that much! A pound a week is awesome! I know wanting to lose faster is always deseired,but a constant loss like that is really best for our health isn't it? I'd be happy anyway hehe. 16000, eek, that's a lot! I heard it's generally around 13000 around here.. but maybe that's just certain offices. I'm on the mainland, so I think I'll be going to the lions gate meeting, though it is great to hear others are around! COngrats on your loss so far!

Due to recovering from a bloodclot I had to postpone my surgery. But I supposed you can look at it that since my consult on 12/28 that I have lost 47 pounds and at that time they wanted me to loose 30 before the surgery. My doctor says the more you loose before the surgery the better. So even if it takes you 6 months before having the surger you can get in the habit of living a healthy lifestyle.

Hey Honk, Yeah I'm not too worried about rushing the surgery part! Just more anxcious about getting to the talking to the surgeon part and find out my options and what not. The more I can lose on my own the better you're right, getting in the habit now is will lead to a better success after!

gogtigirlgo- that's a good idea. I think I will call and just let them know if they get a cancellation I can be avaliable!

hey talktime! That's great to meet another local person! I'll contact you.

Due to recovering from a bloodclot I had to postpone my surgery. But I supposed you can look at it that since my consult on 12/28 that I have lost 47 pounds and at that time they wanted me to loose 30 before the surgery. My doctor says the more you loose before the surgery the better. So even if it takes you 6 months before having the surger you can get in the habit of living a healthy lifestyle.

Hey Honk, Yeah I'm not too worried about rushing the surgery part! Just more anxcious about getting to the talking to the surgeon part and find out my options and what not. The more I can lose on my own the better you're right, getting in the habit now is will lead to a better success after!

gogtigirlgo- that's a good idea. I think I will call and just let them know if they get a cancellation I can be avaliable!

hey talktime! That's great to meet another local person! I'll contact you.

Due to recovering from a bloodclot I had to postpone my surgery. But I supposed you can look at it that since my consult on 12/28 that I have lost 47 pounds and at that time they wanted me to loose 30 before the surgery. My doctor says the more you loose before the surgery the better. So even if it takes you 6 months before having the surger you can get in the habit of living a healthy lifestyle.

Hey Honk, Yeah I'm not too worried about rushing the surgery part! Just more anxcious about getting to the talking to the surgeon part and find out my options and what not. The more I can lose on my own the better you're right, getting in the habit now is will lead to a better success after!

Hmm... Yeah I've been informed about other drs in the area now thanks to some great people on here, so maybe I'll check them out. It's not that I'm so anxcious to have surgery right away, but I do need time to get all my questions answered, decide if it's what I really want to do and to probably raise the money for it lol. And if I have to wait 3 months just to ask those questions.. it seems a bit far away to me!

I did discover that the consultations are covered by my MSP, so I wont have to pay for that part. Big deal right? lol.. if I had to pay for the consult and they the surgery I'd be a happy camper!

Hey Doddie and others who seem to post so frequently! My names cat and I live in Burnaby, and I couldn't be happier to see that there are local people who are out there who not only had the surgery, but such success with it too! I'm 26 and getting way too close to 400lbs and have been overweight my entire life (have done the whole yo yo dieting since I was 16). But it's only since having my son last year and enduring far too many physical issues since the pregnancy and birth I've really understood that I need more help than I've been getting with weight loss! My dr actually asked me if I was interested in surgery to aid in my weight loss.. not really an easy conversation to have with someone, but I'm glad she brought it up, since I've been doing research for about 6 months now. I recently got an appointment with the False Creek surgical centre (not until oct), has anyone here been there? Anyway! Just thought I would introduce myself! Hope everyones enjoyin the heat!

Hey everyone, I'm so pleased to find a canadian chat, and vancouver chat on here! I'm just starting to look into surgery as I desperatly need more help with my weight situation.. I've noticed many people here are only talking about the 2 drs, dr woodhead and dr leung. But my family dr has me waiting to talk with Dr. K. Tsu at the False Creek surgical centre. Has anyone ever had her, or know about her? Besides not hearing much about this dr I have to wait 3 months to even have a consultation. Any advice?

Yeah I thought that was a little strange.. I live close to Vancouver, BC and I've seen from others who've posted on this site, there are a few Dr's out there who do perform the Lap band. I'm just a little unsure about looking else where, because my family dr has contacted this dr.. BUt like you said, wont hurt right! Anyone have any suggestions of drs in the lowermainland of BC who have good reputations?

So I decided to get the ball rolling and got my family dr to contact a lap band dr to get some more information and possibly get this surgery going at some point in the future... I get a call back with my appointment date and time, and it's not until Oct 25th! Is that normal to have to wait that long just for a consultation? I know there are a few drs who perform this surgery around here... should I try and contact someone else who can get me in sooner, just for the evaluation?! On the other hand.. if this dr is so busy.. maybe she's really good? I dont know! I kind of wanted to talk to someone much sooner than that, to see if this surgery is the right thing for me and if it was something I could even afford! *sigh* Maybe I just need to chill out lol. Any advice would be wonderful!

Thank you! I just had a great dr's appointment. She's getting in touch with a surgeon for me to find out more information on prices, the procedure etc. I love that my dr is so supportive. I know she cares, she's known me my whole life! (She caught me being born lol)