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Post by patxyz on Jan 19, 2012 20:31:34 GMT -5
So I've been hanging around here and OH for a while now, reading, researching, learning how to advocate for myself. It was a process I started in November of 2010, thinking I was going to get a RNY. A surgery war post on OH exposed me to the DS and I knew, almost instantly, that it was the right surgery for me.
I live in Canada, specifically Ontario, where approval for the DS used to be common, but due to some high profile complications/deaths, that approval was scaled waaaay back in 2009. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle, but with the information and resources I got from the people here and DSfacts.com, I was able to take on the system and today...
I finally freakin' won!!!
I signed the DS surgical consent today with Dr. Hong at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, ON. Most of you will not have heard of Dr. Hong, he is the other DS surgeon in Canada along with Dr. Gagner. The difference is Dr. Hong performs his DS surgeries exclusively within the public healthcare system, so you can't pay him to perform DS surgery. He must declare it medically necessary and the RNY and VSG as inappropriate in your case. He is an excellent surgeon who works in consultation with Dr. Gagner and is also a professor at a medical school in Ontario and is currently teaching another surgeon the DS. If there is anything complicated about your case that he is uncomfortable with, he won't hesitate to refer to Gagner (such as a RNY or Lapband revision), but as I'm a virgin surgery and my hematologist has given her blessing, I feel very comfortable with Dr. Hong.
It has been a long road, but I am so, so happy. I should hear about a date in a couple of weeks and it is expected to be the first week of March.
I want to thank everyone here for their information and support. You are an amazing group of people!
***Edited to change 2011 to 2010, thanks Diana.
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Post by freckled1 on Jan 19, 2012 20:34:09 GMT -5
That's great! Congratulations!
Trina
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Post by Band to DS on Jan 19, 2012 20:34:16 GMT -5
Congratulations!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 20:41:59 GMT -5
AWESOME!!!
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Post by lovy19 on Jan 19, 2012 20:48:58 GMT -5
Congrats!
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joanlaptods
Full Member
DS Mar 9,2011 Dr Gagner
Posts: 192
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Post by joanlaptods on Jan 19, 2012 20:50:51 GMT -5
Congratulations, that's great! Its so good to hear other surgeons are beginning to do the DS here in Canada.
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Post by clpeltz on Jan 19, 2012 20:52:33 GMT -5
Congrats!
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Post by ricky136 on Jan 19, 2012 20:54:07 GMT -5
Congrats!!
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Post by bugirll on Jan 19, 2012 21:09:36 GMT -5
So happy for you!
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Post by callmeEJ on Jan 19, 2012 21:10:48 GMT -5
CONGRATS!  *virtual high five* |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 21:22:11 GMT -5
It was a process I started in November of 2011, thinking I was going to get a RNY. A surgery war post on OH exposed me to the DS and I knew, almost instantly, that it was the right surgery for me. I live in Canada, specifically Ontario, where approval for the DS used to be common, but due to some high profile complications/deaths, that approval was scaled waaaay back in 2009. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle, but with the information and resources I got from the people here and DSfacts.com, I was able to take on the system and today... I finally freakin' won!!! Your entire approval process took only 2 months? I thought the waiting list for baratric surgery in Ontario was a year or more. I signed the DS surgical consent today with Dr. Hong at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, ON. Most of you will not have heard of Dr. Hong, he is the other DS surgeon in Canada along with Dr. Gagner. The difference is Dr. Hong performs his DS surgeries exclusively within the public healthcare system, so you can't pay him to perform DS surgery. He must declare it medically necessary and the RNY and VSG as inappropriate in your case. He is an excellent surgeon who works in consultation with Dr. Gagner and is also a professor at a medical school in Ontario and is currently teaching another surgeon the DS. If there is anything complicated about your case that he is uncomfortable with, he won't hesitate to refer to Gagner (such as a RNY or Lapband revision), but as I'm a virgin surgery and my hematologist has given her blessing, I feel very comfortable with Dr. Hong. Um, what about Marceau, Biron and Biertho in Quebec? |
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Post by patxyz on Jan 19, 2012 21:27:12 GMT -5
It was a process I started in November of 2011, thinking I was going to get a RNY. A surgery war post on OH exposed me to the DS and I knew, almost instantly, that it was the right surgery for me. I live in Canada, specifically Ontario, where approval for the DS used to be common, but due to some high profile complications/deaths, that approval was scaled waaaay back in 2009. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle, but with the information and resources I got from the people here and DSfacts.com, I was able to take on the system and today... I finally freakin' won!!! Your entire approval process took only 2 months? I thought the waiting list for baratric surgery in Ontario was a year or more. I signed the DS surgical consent today with Dr. Hong at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, ON. Most of you will not have heard of Dr. Hong, he is the other DS surgeon in Canada along with Dr. Gagner. The difference is Dr. Hong performs his DS surgeries exclusively within the public healthcare system, so you can't pay him to perform DS surgery. He must declare it medically necessary and the RNY and VSG as inappropriate in your case. He is an excellent surgeon who works in consultation with Dr. Gagner and is also a professor at a medical school in Ontario and is currently teaching another surgeon the DS. If there is anything complicated about your case that he is uncomfortable with, he won't hesitate to refer to Gagner (such as a RNY or Lapband revision), but as I'm a virgin surgery and my hematologist has given her blessing, I feel very comfortable with Dr. Hong. Um, what about Marceau, Biron and Biertho in Quebec? My post should have read November 2010, I fixed it. From referral to surgery in Ontario can be anywhere from 6-18ish months depending on your region. For me, in the Toronto area, 8-10 months is typical, so the 15-16 month process (by the time I actually have surgery) for me is unusually long and has been particularly complicated due to my pushing for a DS. Ontario has a RNY as 'gold standard' policy. Ah, yes, I forgot about that practice in Quebec. I also understand that there may or may not be someone in New Brunswick. We anglophones tend to forget about French Canada. Dr. Hong is the only one in Ontario and the only one West of Quebec for sure, and one of the only available exclusively through the public system. I'm saving over $19,000. Even my pre and post op drugs didn't cost me a penny (over $400) due to my health plan. I am on top of the world right now. |
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April M.
Full Member
DS w/Dr. Hares 7/14/11
Posts: 130
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Post by April M. on Jan 20, 2012 4:37:10 GMT -5
Wonderful news! We'll save a spot for you on the loser's bench!
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Justa-Puter-Name
Full Member
You are the result of billions of years of evolutionary success. Act like it!
Posts: 157
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Post by Justa-Puter-Name on Jan 20, 2012 4:48:15 GMT -5
I knew it was going to be an uphill battle, but with the information and resources I got from the people here and DSfacts.com, I was able to take on the system and today... I finally freakin' won!!! - just another great example of fighting the good fight and coming out the winner. I hear so many positive things about DSFacts.com and have shared that site with others just researchng their choices. |
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Fluff of Love
Junior Member
this is what adorable looks like
Posts: 56
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Post by Fluff of Love on Jan 20, 2012 5:46:34 GMT -5
Congrats!!!
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Post by MsVee on Jan 20, 2012 7:14:00 GMT -5
Congratulations! Wishing you health, happiness, and a complication free surgery.
MsVee
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Post by scoob on Jan 20, 2012 9:56:34 GMT -5
Congrats! Wishing you well!
Ruby
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Post by pktwatch on Jan 20, 2012 10:13:38 GMT -5
That is great, congratulations!
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Post by Fade2Pink on Jan 20, 2012 12:58:47 GMT -5
Oh that is great news, way to hang in there and get what you want and need!
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Post by sandyv63 on Jan 20, 2012 21:16:27 GMT -5
Good for you for being persistent! You've earned this DS for sure.
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*virtual high five*
