Expert: Diminishing Dawn - 1/19/2009

Question
Hi there, I'm inquiring on the paper work involved. I've been looking into this for roughly a year now and have now decided that its the right option for me but unfortunatly I cant seem to find the right application forms and such.

I've read that my best bet is to get OHIP coverage and go out of country to avoid crazy waiting lines. But again finding the right hospital and forms seems to be my issue.

Answer
You have different options here.


http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/AttachDocsPublish/014-...


The form link above is the out of country application.

Right now you have two options - out of country and in country.

In Ontario, there are surgeries being performed in Toronto (www.misgroup.ca). There are many doctors but if you want the shortest waiting time, dr huynh, dr. starr or dr. sohi have the shortest turnover rates. A top doc like Hagen would be a longer wait.  In Hamilton, Dr. Anvari and Dr. Misra are just starting a new program as well. I believe that the vertical sleeve gastrectomy and the roux en y are the only options with all these doctors - lapband is not covered. To go there all your doctor needs to do is put in a referral so as long as you bmi is high enough (40 or 35 + major health issues).

For out of country, you have more options - VSG, RNY and duodenal switch. The Mini gastric bypass has just been taken off the table and is no longer approved. To go out of country, your doctor needs to be pretty specific in filling out the form listed above. They are now looking to send only emergency cases out of country. As of Nov 2008, the criteria has toughed up. Your doctor needs to be VERY specific about tissue damage that may occur should you have to wait and to really push that surgery NOW is really, really important with your current medical conditions.

Good luck!

Dawn
diminishingdawn@cogeco.ca