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LeslieLee · March 29, 2007

Well I saw my family Dr today! He has started the paper work. I was so nervous but I just said.. I have decided I want surgery to lose this weight. I have had enough and want this. He didn't try to talk me out of it and even said he had a patient in yesterday who lost over 100 lbs and then got pregnant!! I was feeling an oh oh and then he said she is doing great the baby is fine and she has lost all the weight she gained. He said she is a very happy woman now compared to before having it done. I was so relieved.

He said I should get a call in about 2 weeks. I also mentioned that I might go to Ontario and that I had heard Mexico does it too. He said he thinks Mexico would be difficult but Ontario would work...

I am just happy that he was positive about my choice and that he didn't ask me to try another diet.

So..... the first baby step has been taken...

-=smiles and thinks how eager she is to be running but knows she must learn to walk first=-

Have a great day everyone!

Leslie

argon · March 29, 2007

Hi Leslie,

He started the paperwork for the lapband in Alberta? I guess you'll find out in a couple weeks how long of a wait you'll be in for? Yikes... I would hate THAT wait. 8 weeks was difficult! Let us know when you find out!

Good luck with whatever you decide... whether it's to wait to be covered in AB, go to BC or ON, or even Mexico! :welldoneclap:

Mandi

Yoda · March 30, 2007

That's great and good luck in your journey. I'm glad your doc was supportive but even if he wasn't, you know you CAN do this without his recommendation or approval, right?!

Gaffer · March 30, 2007

LeslieLee, I think it is great that your Dr. is supportive, it will make things alot easier in the long run. My Dr. is so supportive that he says he wants to see me every month to satisfy his curiosity, and has gave my info out (with my permission) to some other patients.

Did your Dr. refer you to the clinic in Edmonton or Calgary? I am just wondering because I was refered to both in summer 2006 and did not hear from Edmonton, and didnt hear from Calgary until late Feb.2007, right after I got my band. I hope that you hear sooner, because all that uncertainty sucked.

I also think that is really good that he had a patient that had the band already. He should know how to get you in there.

Also remember, that if you do opt to go for a self pay that you can get back $1036 if you go to Ontario, or about $1700 if you go to Mexico.

Andrew

LeslieLee · March 30, 2007

Good morning all!

Once again thanks for your replies. It is awesome to feel a connection so quickly. I can't believe how great it is to be able to talk to others and learn from them and their personal journey.

Mandi

Thank you for your note. I am sure it will not be long before I hear from the powers that be in Edmonton and also sure that it will be a long wait to actually get something done. But I will be learning while I am waiting and I am already pretty sure that I am going to opt for self pay and get started asap. I have no desire to keep the weight I already have and dread the thought that there could also be more!! NOOOOooooo more! Also your pictures are terrifical!! Very inspiring.

Hi Yoda!

Thank you for the you know you CAn do this without his recommendation or approval...lol yes I can and as I said I likely will so I will be asking lots of questions here I am guessing. Hope you are ready for ME! lol I read that Mr Yoda is also a bander. That is awesome!! I live in a house with thin people.... but they are all very much on board with Me here and very supportive of my choices. well most of them I don't think my son liked my decision that he was old enough to do his own laundry...lol and sometimes I think it was not a wise decision when I am trying to get into his room..lol

Andrew,

I think that is terrific that your Dr wants to see you monthly! I hope that Mine will want to keep an eye on how I am doing too. I think it will help him to understand and to see that sometimes it takes more than what works for most others.

I believe he is sending my information into Edmonot we didn't talk about Calgary other than there were Dr's doing fills there, which I think I read here from you!

I am looking forward to hearing something.

**********

Did most of those who have self payed just call the clinic and start the ball? How does one get started on the self pay route?

I am thinking Ontario is where I would be going and I do have some family there that would make it a bit easier if I combine it with a family visit.

-=waves to Alex R.=- You must be getting pretty excited!! How are you doing Alex?? Not too many more days! How long ago did you start?

I thought I would attach a pic of me hope it works.

Have a great day everyone!

till soon

Leslie

LeslieLee · March 30, 2007

YIKESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

sorry everyone! LOL I am larger than life!! Guess I need to learn how to attach pictures so that they don't overflow all over the monitor!!

opps opps opps

FutureBander · March 30, 2007

Hello Everyone,

My Name is Megan. I currently live in Columbus, Ohio USA . I found out March 19th That i was approved threw my insurance to have the lap banding done...Im sooo excited...Just waiting on them to call back to inform me when i will be able to go into surgery.

Gaffer · March 30, 2007

LeslieLee, I think you attached the pic correctly, you need to just resize it a little before you post it.

There are Dr.'s doing bands in Calgary.

As for the self pay in Ontario. All I did was call the clinic and told them I was interested in Lapband. They said great and emailed me a package with a questionaire, weight, height, past medical history, past diets etc. and faxed it back. They then set up a phone consult with Dr. Coburn, and we talked about the surgery a little more.

After that, I called back and booked a date, which was about 8 weeks from when I talked to Dr.C on the phone. They send you a package with what you need to get done from your Dr., medical history and physical, and some blood tests you need to have done. They package has all the info, and your Optifast of the require it.

Simple as that.

Andrew