Do you live in BC but were banded elsewhere?

[andreerichards1 4]

If you get your surgery in canada, you will get a good income tax return I cant wait for mine.

[Doddie63 6]

Ang1982. I believe, that the medical system in Canada covers you for any emergency not matter what the problem is. You just have the ER contact Dr. Yau for instructions by telephone. They cannot turn anyone away according to the health act. That is why many people who can't afford the BC Med. payment each month attend the ER. They will be looked after no matter what. And don't forget, your GP gets involved as well in your care. So whatever you decide outside the country or within the biggest problem for me was fills. I personally would stay in Canada because of the future care. Doddie

[Ang1982 4]

Good information! Thanks Doddie, you are always such a great help

Didn't realize you could write part of it off if you get it done in Canada. That too is interesting.

[cookielover 1]

[quote=hellvez;575105

also nobody use dr.woodhead he is kind of a scam he will charge you 400 bucks just for a consult also for a fill he charges 400 even if he does not find you're port. also when you call his "office" somebody just answers Doctors office seemed very shady to me

Now I would tell everybody do not use Dr.woodhead

I just wanted to say that Dr. Woodhead is my doctor. I did a lot of research before I picked him. He charges a $400.00 consultation fee, because he spends the time getting to know you. He spent an hour and a half with me. (Now I was getting the band, so it may be different for a fill.) That is a heck of a lot of time for a surgeon to spend with a patient, and he doesn't get paid by BC med. My follow-up care is for life. For the first year I see him monthly so he can monitor my progress and make sure I am doing ok. (even if I don't get a fill) Speaking of fills- they are included for life. I could have gotten the surgery within 4 weeks of my consult. As for his receptionist she always answers the phone, "Dr. Woodhead's office..." maybe it was a bad connection. I would highly recommend Dr. Woodhead.:clap2:

[Doddie63 6]

Wells said Cookielover. I don't know if you read my previous posts, but I too endorse Dr. W. He does my fills as a favor to Dr. Yau in Toronto. He did charge me $400 for a consult fee and $75. for the fill but when i consider the fare to Toronto, $75 is cheap. I am very annoyed with the individual posting such outrageous statements about Dr. W. I found myself responding in Dr. W. defense. I am so glad you chimed in.

[homebirthin_mam 0]

I would go see Dr. Leung as well. You never know how many adjustments you will need, and you will have your surgery within three-four months!! I'm scheduled for Jan 07 and have researched it quite a bit. Look at the bcbandits group on yahoo groups, it is full of his current and former lapband patients.

Robby

[homebirthin_mam 0]

Another reply ..... the current fee for lap band surgery with Dr. Leung at Surrey Memorial hospital is 12,812.50. The breakdown of fees is: hospital deposit, $2660.... Doctors fees: $5152.50.... Laporascopic banding device, $5000.

You will receive three postoperative fills, then charged $30 for subequent fills in office and $60.00 for adjustments under fluroscopy.

Out of province consults are 376.00 and subsequent visits are 72.00 (residents of BC do not have to pay).

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have this procedure performed by a local surgeon. You never know what complications can happen with a surgeon in the states/Mexico, what their experience level is, complication rate, etc.

[bandiva 0]

I have nothing bad to say about any doctor, but just want to add that surgeons in the states or mexico may have more experience with less complications. It is a personal decision. If I won the lottery tomorrow and had it all to do over again, I would choose the dr I saw in mexico, I have been treated very well. Again, it is a personal decision.

[loriely 0]

Wow bandiva 100 lbs. You are doing so well.

[Doddie63 6]

Congratulations bandiva. I concur with you about doctors but at the same time I also try to caution people on leaving the country because the band is for life. Circumstances change over time. Doddie

[canadagirl33 0]

Hi there

I don't post here often but thought I would chime in here because I live in BC and chose to have my surgery done in WA state.

I had a consult scheduled with Dr. Woodhead but I am *so* impatient and it was going to take months, since I had done all my research and was happy with the fact I was going to get a band it was just a matter of finding a Dr. I researched locally and then a little farther abroad and settled on NWWLS in Everet WA.

The surgeons there are highly skilled, having all done in excess of 2000 band surgeries each. The price ($16,000) was in line with prices I had found in Canada and all Dr's visits, fill appts, support meetings, mutritionist meetings etc were covered for the first year. After that year I will have to pay $75 a visit. They also 'guarantee' their surgery...if you need a band replacement or a port repair/replace, tubing repair it will all be done at no extra cost except for $900 to pay the anesthesiologist (they work and are paid seperately in the US).

I thought about going to Toronto but my deciding factor was being within driving distance to my surgeon. I didn't want the hassle of finding someone to do my fills, and I didn't want to have to buy a plane ticket to travel across the counrty if I decided I needed to see my surgeon.

It comes down to a personal decision....

As for being covered in BC if there is an emergency, they cannot turn you away in an ER and can not charge you, regardless of what the problem is or where you had surgery.

All the best to you in your decision !!!

Patricia

11/16/06

306/209/175ish

[tmostert 0]

I am getting banded in Mexico next Friay and would like to know which Dr in Vancovur will do fills for patients who got banded in Mexico?

[canadagirl33 0]

Wow !!! Knowing how important the aftercare is I don't think I would be brave enough to actually schedule my surgery (especially that far from home) without having someone lined up to look after me after the surgery.

I don't actually know of anyone in BC that will do aftercare and fills for Mexican band patients. If it were me I would be looking up Dr's Woodhead, Leung and Amson and phoning them ASAP and asking if any will be able to take you on as a patient.

You will be terribly frustrated 6 or 8 weeks down the road if you have no restriction, no one to do your fills and have to head all the way back to Mexico !!!

Good luck to you...

Patricia

11/16/06

306/209/175ish

[Doddie63 6]

Well said Patricia. I thought I had a doc lined up but when it fell thru I was in deep doggie do. Dr. W. kindly took me on after a referral from Dr. Yau in To. Tmostert, contact those doctors. I can tell you that Dr. W. charges $400.00 for a consult and $75.00 per fill, but I think someone posted he will not do fills for patients banded in Mexico. Best start making calls now. Doddie