Hello from Calgary! Here's my story, introduction:

[jjsmiles 3]

Anytime. Just send me a private message to make sure I get it.

Good Luck!!!

[PIP1973 0]

Tyler:

I was banded just this year in Feb through the Weight Management program.. it's a fabulous program .. however you may want to check as I have heard grumblings that they have lost their funding due to cutbacks to Health Care...

Good Luck

[Tyler883 0]

Not only that, but I hear that there are over 800 people already in line for the 25 surgeries per year.

I'm beginning to think that healthcare paid surgery is really a ploy to keep private surgeries out of Alberta.

[susanm 0]

Hey Tyler...The process thru the Weight Management Centre in Calgary does work. I first heard about the new program in May 2006 and when I went to my doctor for my annual checkup in August I asked for a referral...In May 2007 I went to my first session at the WMC at the Colonel Belcher...I went to numerous wonderful seminars where I did not hear the same old thing...many of them focused more on why I eat and not what I eat...for me that was huge...not that it totally stopped me but sure made me more aware of what and why I was putting in my mouth...I didn't believe I was going to be approved for the sugery as I don't have any health problems other than I am obese as you can see from my stats below. My nutritionist and one of the program coordinators told me in January that they had been approved for 100 surgeries in 2008 and that 10 of them would be for people without health issues...I guess I was one of those...In November I met with one of the surgeons and in March I got the word I was approved subject to my pre-op clinic appointment which was today...so my birthday present to me is I am good to go on June 12th...I am so excited and so nervous but it is wonderful...good luck to you and all the best...

[Tyler883 0]

Hey Tyler...The process thru the Weight Management Centre in Calgary does work. I first heard about the new program in May 2006 and when I went to my doctor for my annual checkup in August I asked for a referral...In May 2007 I went to my first session at the WMC at the Colonel Belcher...I went to numerous wonderful seminars where I did not hear the same old thing...many of them focused more on why I eat and not what I eat...for me that was huge...not that it totally stopped me but sure made me more aware of what and why I was putting in my mouth...I didn't believe I was going to be approved for the sugery as I don't have any health problems other than I am obese as you can see from my stats below. My nutritionist and one of the program coordinators told me in January that they had been approved for 100 surgeries in 2008 and that 10 of them would be for people without health issues...I guess I was one of those...In November I met with one of the surgeons and in March I got the word I was approved subject to my pre-op clinic appointment which was today...so my birthday present to me is I am good to go on June 12th...I am so excited and so nervous but it is wonderful...good luck to you and all the best...

Hi Susan, congratulations on getting a scheduled surgery. I am so happy for you. Oh, and btw Happy Birthday!!!

Thanks for mentioning how great the WMC program is, I suspected that it was great, but didn't know how to go about saying that while trying to explain why I probably wont use the program.

thank you

Tyler

[Angie911 0]

Hi Tyler,,,

well to be honest alot of things I listened to in the classes were things that I had already knew. Like you I have done alot of reading. I did some research on Lap Bands before I went to my family Dr.

Not saying this is a bad thing,,,it just reafirms all the information for me...and alot of times we had discussions which brought out many other thoughts.

I went and saw Dr. Church and was told as of that time there would be no more surgeries that were not all ready books. They were capped out. So I am looking at 2009. I admit I was very disappointed. I was also disappointed to hear that Natalie is no longer with the program. We had some good talks.

Angie

[Tyler883 0]

That is my experience, too. When I took the 'Living Well' workshops, they only served to re-affirm the information that I already knew.

I've had personal trainers describe my knowledge of bodybuilding and exercise at an intermediate to advanced level, too.

So here I am. The fat kid that already knows how to eat and exercise yet I am not doing either one well. And, the people that have made carreers out of helping me want to treat me like an idiot.

[jjsmiles 3]

So last month I wrote a letter of concern to the CHR regarding the cutbacks to the Weight Management Clinic in Calgary, and I got this response by letter today:

Thank you for your letter date April 17, 2008 regarding your concerns of the Calgary Health Region's the Lap Band Surgery Program. The position of the CHR and the Department of Surgery is very supportive of the lap band surgery that you yourself had, and we are very supportive of an expanded program in Calgary for the lap band surgery.

The Lap Band Program was started in 2006 and we reported early success with our patients' outcomes. I understand you had your surgery in 2007. We are not funded currently to provide this service to the population that requires it in Calgary. We are funded at this time up to 25 cases per year. We believe that this is a much needed service and that the Obesity Management Clinic and the Lap Band Surgical Program need to be expanded. Consequently, we are working on a strategic plan to take forward for funding submission. We thank you very much for your concern for this very important public health issue.

Sincerely,

Andrea Robertson

Vice President

Interventional Services and Foothills Medical Centre Administration

[mommmyof4 0]

JJ,

thanks for sharing that letter with us. 25 is worse than edmonton, but i think edmonton is only 100. i have heard that the edmonton program is fantastic as well. i suspect the edmonton and calgary programs are very similar. seems like the waiting lists are the same anyway! at last check, the waiting list in edmonton was over a 1000. i have also heard of a swlc opening out west here, i didn't realize it was out of the banff hospital, i thought it was calgary. either way - much closer than TO which is where i am going. thanks again.

[Angie911 0]

Tyler,,I always like to be informed,,so do alot of reading,,,researching before I attempt the first time. My family Dr. knows when I bring something up,,,I already know the whys and hows,,,just sticking out there for him to give me his imput.

I went to Dr. McKenna first 2 years ago...this felt more like councilling,,,we talked about my food intake,,,work outs. Checked my metobolic rate...checked it again cause she had never seen one lower. We delved abit into my emotional eating. But the outcome was,,,I know right from wrong,,,I know the right foods...the exercises. Can talk circles around some trainers,,,,and yet I am obese. My fault. I even eat healthy,,,then I eat more,,,unhealthy stuff. So if I can stop after the first part I would not be where I am today. Waiting for my chance to have this surgery...

I sure didn't get a helping of patience...more like a second helping of junk food...ha

[Tyler883 0]

Hi everyone,

just a quick update, I have something that I am looking forward to this monday. I am going to have a discussion about the lap band with my boss, friend, and physician ( this is all one person )

Although, I feel that I want the surgery, I look up to this guy a great deal. So I've been relying on his objectivity and professionalism a bit. Although I'm excited about the positive track record of the lapband, he has force me to read and understand the risks and complications to it, too.

One of the reasons I'm looking forward to this monday's meeting, is he has told me that he wants to personally( not as an employer) help me out with the costs. This floors me, no one has ever treated me that well.

I've only known this guy for about 5 years, and he has been a real class act in every way. A real people person and IMO a true humanitarian. And to top it all off, I probably already owe him my life, because it is his algorythms that are in the CPAP machine that I use to breath every night. my sleep apnea is severe enough, I might have already had a heart attack or stroke.

[becca77 0]

Wow Tyler! Thats great. He sounds like a fantastic person!! Good luck.

[susanm 0]

That fabulous Tyler...there are amazing people out there and I am very happy that you have one as your guardian angel...good luck...

[Angie911 0]

Oh Tyler,,,you are truly blessed. Im happy for you. This guy sounds like a good person.

Angie

[susieq321 31]

Hi everyone,

just a quick update, I have something that I am looking forward to this monday. I am going to have a discussion about the lap band with my boss, friend, and physician ( this is all one person )

Although, I feel that I want the surgery, I look up to this guy a great deal. So I've been relying on his objectivity and professionalism a bit. Although I'm excited about the positive track record of the lapband, he has force me to read and understand the risks and complications to it, too.

One of the reasons I'm looking forward to this monday's meeting, is he has told me that he wants to personally( not as an employer) help me out with the costs. This floors me, no one has ever treated me that well.

I've only known this guy for about 5 years, and he has been a real class act in every way. A real people person and IMO a true humanitarian. And to top it all off, I probably already owe him my life, because it is his algorythms that are in the CPAP machine that I use to breath every night. my sleep apnea is severe enough, I might have already had a heart attack or stroke.

Tyler,

That is great and you are very fortunate.. and I am glad he wants you to do the research understand what can go wrong along with what goes right. This is a life time commitment and requires changing your life sometimes in smaller ways and sometimes in bigger ways. I think there are too many people who jump in without doing the research or understanding the complications and what they can do to your physically but mostly mentally...

good luck it sounds like you have placed your trust in a good man and in turn he is placing his trust in you and putting some skin in your game!

Heather