Gaffer

Out of curiosity, has anyone taken thier reciept from a fill and submitted to their Blue Cross plan? I have a health spending account as part of my benefits that covers things like chiropractors and even massage. Just wondering if I could recover this medical expense that way? As for the flouro, that sounds like the best way to get one's fills done as it would be nice to have the peice of mind that there is no erosion etc. Andrew

I know what you mean Yoda, I had to talk myself out of posting about on that one. All I will say is that even after I pay for my surgery myself, I will still have more money than if I were paying the health insurance premiums I would have to pay in the states. Not to mention that at my current BMI it is very unlikely that I would not be covered. Universal health care is still the better option despite its drawbacks. Andrwe

Janice, I forgot that you were a student. I know how that can really put a dent in things, especially with the current price of tuition, books etc. Maybe it could be your grad present to yourself. Andrew

Janice, I am being banded on Feb. 14, which means I will be staring preop diet Jan 24. It is a tough decision, and $16K is alot of money, but for me and my family the timing is best right now. I will be paying for the surgery out of my HELOC. Really with prime being at 6% right now it is not too bad. I have been very lucky the last couple of years, my wife & I are both professionals with good salaries & benefits, we have a small business that brings us in another source of income and we got into the housing market in Calgary before it went crazy. Our son is only 7mos old, so other than diapers & formula he is still pretty cheap to look after. After surgery we will be able to share food. In fact he eats more in a meal now than I will be eating per meal post op. I see the surgery as not an expense but rather an investment in myself. Being thinner will help me in my carreer, and allow me to do more work on my business which in turn will generate more income. Like it or not, it has been proven that overweight people earn less in thier lifetimes. Andrew

You are right. If people think that 2 tier heath care does not exist in Canada they are crazy. All you have to do is look at situations such as our own. Do I have a problem with it, no. As long as self payers do not create additional wait times for insured patients I dont see a problem with it. Andrew

It really sucks. My family Dr. said to me " have you ever considered WLS" and then started the consult. I was really positive and looking forward to it, only to find out that it could be up to 5 years before I actually have surgery. What a carrot on a string. So I decided to pay for it myself. Yes it is alot of money, but what is my life worth. Andrew

We are refering to people to people in Alberta who are having their surgery paid for by Alberta Health Care. You are right, as a self payer, but due to the limited numbers of surgeries performed, and the long list of people wanting it here in Alberta people are having to wait a long time time to have it done in Alberta. The Calgary clinic is allowed to do 25 per year. I am sure that Dr. Coburn does that many or more in a month. Andrew

Only a few lucky Albertans. I was told by Dr. Coburn that the clinic in Calgary is funded to 25 per year, and that when he was here to train them they did 12 of those at that time. That is not nearly enough in such a wealthy province like ours. I would really like to hear from some people who have had theirs paid for by AB health, but I dont think there are any here. So like most people here, I am doing a self pay with Dr. Coburn on Feb.14. Andrew

JLB, Also have your Dr. refer you to Dr. Mitchell in Calgary, the more lists you are on the better your odds. I was told about 1.5 years to consult and then up to 2 years for surgery. Andrew

meh... It does not appear that Square One has much that we dont have in Calgary. Besides, I'll shop here where there is no PST. Andrew

What is this Square One that you speak of. I have to resist the urge to go shopping before my surgery. Yes, I am a man who likes to shop, even more than my wife. Andrew

She speaks the truth. There are some Dr.s in BC that people have used here. Why do you not want to got to Toronto? I am from Calgary, and will have my fills etc done in Calgary. Plan tickets are pretty cheap to Toronto these days. Andrew

Jason, You are wise beyond your years. I was in the same boat as you at your age, but surgery was not an option. Now I am 32 and having the lap band done, but what I would not give to have those years of my life back without the weight. Andrew

Since I know there are alot of Dr. Coburn patients here I thought I would ask this here. How long after your surgery did you have to wait to get back into Water like a bath or hot tub. I made the mistake of going to look at hot tubs yesterday and want to surprise my wife with it for Christmas, and I am wondering how long I would not be able to use it after surgery. Are there any reasons why I would not be able to use a hot tub after I am recovered from my surgery? Thanks, Gaffer

Bacon Cologne. Little spray here, little spray there and your ready for a night on the town. This will be my new lap band diet Looks Yummy. Andrew

My wife & I will be flying to Miss. on the 12, as they scheduled me for an appt. with Dr.C at 12:00 on the 13. Priscilla, I know what you mean about the diets. I am only 32, but remember being on some shake diet when I was about 12, and that really started it for me. WW, Fatkins, South Beach, Testoterone Advantage, Soup Clense diet. I stuck to all those crappy diets for way too long so 3 week should not be too tough (I say this now). I think I will tape the invoice for my surgery on the fridge so when I have a moment of weekness I will remeber what this is going to cost me and that I cant screw it up. Good luck guys, I think there will be a flood of "I hate Optifast" in the coming weeks. Andrew

It is my understanding that Dr. Mitchell will do fills for patients from Mexico for a cost of $130. I know that I have to pay for my fills in Calgary too, which is still cheaper than flying to TO. Andrew

[Mr. Miagi Voice] Andrew, when you finish Pho with one chopstick you will be ready. [ end Mr. Miagi voice] Maybe I will get a blindfold and see if that slows me down. Andrew

Oh good. This Christmas was the one and only where my wife was not saying I need to watch my eating. She has given me plenty of slack interms of my diet since I was booked for surgery since she know it will all come to a halt soon enough. Andrew

Becca, I know that we have the same surgery date, but when I got my pre-op package I also have an appointment with Dr. C at 12:00 on the 13th. I was origionally going to fly from Calgary to Miss. of the 13, but would have to leave here really early, and there were no flights that early. I am flying out on the Monday, maybe we will go see some sights in TO, although I woukd like to see Niagra Falls. Do you have an appointment with Dr. C on the Tuesday as well? Andrew

That is a great idea for some. My problem is I have been eating so much Vietnamese food I am a pro with the chop sticks. Maybe I will have to try eating with one. Andrew

That sounds like a pretty good mast meal. I too will be going to the Keg with my wife for a last pre-band meal. Am I the only one who did this? I have been kinda having the farewell tour. Visiting all my favorite food place. I had my last (maybe) Jimmy's Donair, last whopper, last chinese buffet, etc. I am trying to think of all those things that I wanted to eat but wont be able to after I start the Optifast on Jan 24. I know it sounds weak, but I need to do it. Andrew

Janice, There were a number of factors that lead me to choose Dr, Coburn over having the surgery done in Alberta. Primarily it was the wait time & approval process. I did not want to wait another 4-5 years to have the surgery. I am 32 and was never really concerned with my own death. I thought, "Oh well, I am overweight, and will die a little younger than I should." I was comfortable with that fate as I know that I had given my every best effort to lose weight. Then my son was born in May, and I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. My outlook on life changed, and I all of the sudden wanted to me around to see the milestones in HIS life. Graduations, weddings and all those things I had just been through. I did not want to leave my son & wife without a father. If I had to wait another 4 years, it would likely cost me 10 off the end of my life interms of what my current weight is doing to my health. I was on the slow march to 400lbs. My son is 7 months old, and right now he does not know that I am overweight, but soon he will want to ride bikes, play, go on roller coasters and other things that my weight precludes me from. I dont want to be on the side lines in his life because I am overweight. I dont see the band as a cost I see it as an investment in my life. I know it is expensive, and it is a decision that you cannot make lightly given that you are a student. I was in post seconday for 8 years and I remember what it was like financially. I have a student loan payment every month to remind me. The Ontario Dr.'s are expensive but I feel that I am in the best care there. My wife was adamant that I was not going to Mexico for the surgery. Sorry for the long winded reply, but that is why I am having the surgery, and not waiting for the richest province to shake a couple dollar out of it's coffers to help me. One alternative that I did find was this clininc in Denver http://www.lapbandrockies.com/ which is $9950USD which is the cheapest I have seen outside Mexico. I have seen a couple if people here that have used them and reccomended them. You may also want to look at this clininc in Mexico, it looks like it cost $6990USD which is the chepaest I have seen. There are several people here who have used this Dr. Andrew

Just wondering if there would be a chance of adding a section for men to discuss male realted issues and pose male realted questions about the band? Just a thought. Thanks, Andrew

I am not having the surgery in Calgary, but Dr. Mitchell performs the surgery for patients who are approved by Alberta Health Care. I am having the surgery in Missasauga by Dr. Coburn and then Dr. Mitchell will do my fills in Calgary. When I get home I will try to get the info, and if I cant find it I can ask my Dr. when I see him in Thursday. Andrew