Gastric Bypass Surgery in New Brunswick, Canada

Question Below Submitted By:  

Sandy (a patient from Fredericton, NB, Canada)

When I first mentioned having gastric bypass surgery done to my family physician in Canada, he didn’t know the first thing about how to begin the process. I had to provide him with the name of the endocrinologist, and the gastric surgeon! Apparently I’m the first of his patients to ever push to have this done, surprisingly enough. Maybe the others were wise enough to know a person would be dead before they ever made it off the wait list?

Called today to see where I was on the wait list for Dr. Bosoliel in Moncton, NB.

He is the ONLY surgeon in the province performing this surgery, which doesn’t sound so so bad…..until I realized he’s also doing REGULAR surgeries too!

I was told they are currently taking patients who have been on the wait list since 2007, for CONSULTS only! Not even their surgeries! Which means I’m facing at LEAST another 4 years just to shake his hand and say hello. So I asked “what if I pay for it myself?” to be told “we don’t do that anymore.”

By the time I do get in, I’ll be too old for Medicare to cover it. I believe the cut off age is 52.

The cost of having the gastric bypass surgery done in Mexico is approx $11K.

If only I could afford a lottery ticket!

What’s the point?

VERY TOTALLY BEYOND DISGUSTINGLY discouraged in NB.

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Patient Responses to the Question Above

Question for Sandy

by: Beth

Sandy, you said you asked your doctor what if you paid for it yourself; but it sounds as if doing it in Mexico is cost-prohibitive. Were you thinking the doctor's office would do a payment plan? I ask because it sounds as if you were able/capable/willing to pay for it, so I'm confused as to why you can't in Mexico. That's pretty screwed up, to have to wait so long just for a CONSULT. Regardless of how people want to trash America's healthcare system, we don't have to deal with stuff like that -- YET!

self pay

by: Anonymous

No, it was just mean grasping at straws, exploring all avenues, and WISHING I had the means to pay myself.

happy customer

by: Ray

Had bariatric sleeve surgery on Jan 26th was 326 lbs 6 weeks later I weigh 259lbs and can now handle some solid food, I am so pleased to have the surgery.I live in St Stephen NB and had to go to Bathurst to see Dr. Savoie. He is awesome and I feel so much better only have 79 lbs more to go.

pay for it yourself

by: Barbara

Sandy, if you want to explore Mexico, you can contact me. I had my surgery done in Mexico and it was a fabulous experience. Great doctor with great credentials, great hospital - just a great experience. Couldn't have been better. I can also give you details as to cost etc. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

saint John nb

by: Melissa

Hey sandy from fredericton nb. Im in saint John nb and i discussed with my Dr about lap band surgery and that was 2009. She told me my best bet would be the surgeon up north above bathurst....its very frustrating waiting. Had a call from an inquiry in Ontario it will cost 15,000. They would take 1,000 off for transportation and accomadations. Also would do payment plans. So very considering this route. Why is it soo hard to want to get help with your weight.

Waiting List

by: Anonymous

Has the wait times decreased any since the surgeon in Fredericton started? My Dr. has a referal into the Dr. in Fredericton as well as the one in Moncton. Moncton told me it would be 5 years :(

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET THE SURGERY

by: Anonymous

HI,

I'M 38, I'M A DIABETIC, HIGH BLOOD PRESSER AND CHOLESTEROL, I WEIGHT 284LBS, I HAD THE LAPBAND IN 2006, AND IM NOW WAITING TO GET THE GASTRIC BYPASS, AS I WAS VERY SICK WITH THE LAPBAND, HAS IT WAS TOO TIGHT AT TIMES, AND COULD NOT FIND THE MAGIC NUMBER OF SALINE THAT HAD TO GO IN THAT TUBE TO SQUEEZE MY STOMACH. SO, I VOMIT A LOT, SO I TOLD DR BEAUSOLEIL I NEEDED A CHANGE AND I DID NOT LOSE A LOT OF WEIGHT.

HE AND I DECIDED TO GO WITH THE GASTRIC BYPASS, NOW ITS THE 30 MARCH 2015, AND MY LONG DAY SESSION IS ON APRIL 21, 2015. NOW IM JUST WONDERING HOW LONG AFTER THAT SESSION WILL I GET OPERATED ON? THATS MY MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION.

May as well pronounce death sentence as wait for Bariatric surgery in New Brunswick

by: Kelly

I have been trying since 2008 to get Bariatric surgery in NB. It's a futile exercise... Most days I feel like I'll be better of planning my funeral! On one hand, NB Medicare says they will in some cases approve out of province procedures, on the other there is no province that will do it for you. Initially a call to the clinic in Moncton told me referrals for procedures were triaged.

So I asked my dr to refer me give my long list of ailments. Now even consults are on hold and the wait list.... Referrals from 2010 are not even being seen right now. With my referral having been received may 2015, I may see a consult by 2020... Surgery by 2023 or so. I am 52 now!! I tried going through the process to have surgery in Ontario because they were taking some out of province patients. Now that door is closed as well because they have in province patients waiting more than a year?? I think the government and medical community to to give their heads a shake and realize how much more cost effective it would be to find a way to get Bariatric surgeries moving. It has to be costing millions for the day to day medical care needed for those of us who have struggled our whole lives with weight issues and now have the long list of medical issues that go hand in hand with obesity.

Leaving the provinence is not always the best idea

by: Linda

Hello,
I paid to have my surgery in Ontario, guess what when you come back to NB. No doctor will help you and you cannot find anyone to do a fill or support group.
So I've had the surgery but it has done nothing for me. If anyone knows where I can get a fill I would appreciate any information I can get. I have been at a road block for quite sometime.

happy customer

by: Kelly

Hi Ray;
I'm on a waiting list to see Dr. Savoie in Bathurst myself. I have three more years before I expect to hear from them. But I'm more damn concerned about getting there and back as it will just be me driving from Saint John. Can you tell me how many visits you had to make to Bathurst all together? I was told that I'd be very nauseous on the drive home once released after the procedure was done. That drive is going to be hours....

Question for Barbara

by: M

I'm not sure how to contact you... I have tons of question about the Mexico option.
Help :)
Thanks!
M

by: Patrick Furlong

See the following page for more information on weight loss surgery in Mexico:

https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/weight-loss-surgery-mexico.html

Not sure where to go

by: Tara Jones

Been on the wait list since 2014. Looks like I cant get in for another 3 to 4 years. This is not right. How do you get on the list for another doctor? I was told only one around here is in moncton.

Unreal!

by: Paula

I weight 360lbs and measure 5 feet, now that being said my BMI is like 70. I'm 37 years old and have been on doctor Rene Boisvert's (surgeon in Fredericton) list since May of 2016, which is a year and 10 months.

They told me when I first got my referral it was a wait time of 2-4 years. I haven't got any calls from them yet. My new GP has inquired on the status of my referral and sent in my current comorbidities and current BMI.

She responded back saying that he only does people who have a BMI index of between 35-40?? This doesn't sound right to me....So here I am almost 2 years after I have been referred, and just been told that he refuses to take me.

Now my GP has sent in a referral to DR Sylvain Beausoleil in Moncton, I was told the wait list for him is 3 years. Anyway it's pretty discouraging, what's a person to do?

try going on a weight loss diet while waiting

by: Mike Hunt

If you can't follow a healthy diet , you aren't going to have luck with bariatric surgery. The stomach over time will stretch out - so you will barf a lot, and end up gaining any weight lost back over time.

It's better to change your eating HABITS before the surgery ( the doctor will also be more inclined to work on someone who is seriously motivated to want to help themselves get healthy too).

Try a group - like Weight Watchers- that focuses on addressing the reasons why you have no control over stuffing your face with unhealthy garbage, and maybe learn what to eat to become healthy, instead of punishing your body by butchering your stomach as a quick fix solution.

And maybe get some psychiatric counselling to work on emotional issues you are trying to bury in fat.

Mike Hunt

by: Get Real

Really? Your name is so obvious. A doctor helps patients set up a meal plan. Genius. If they could do is alone they wouldn't seek surgery.

Questions for Ray

by: Courtney

Ray,
I just received a call from Dr.savoies office I go for my consult on April 3rd I'm curious how long from that time till the actual surgery? Any information you could provide would be amazing. I have been waiting approx 7 years now

Over 5

by: Nicole

I was referred to Dr. Beausoleil in Moncton in December 2012. I finally received a call in October 2017, and my first appointment was on October 31st, 2017 with Dr. Theriault. She is now helping Dr. Beausoleil. After many appointments with the whole team (dietitian, physical therapist, psychologist...), I finally have my surgery date in June 2018. So, 5 1/2 years of waiting.

Eat Healthy

by: Hailey

Why does everyone look for a quick fix? You did this to your body. Now it’s time to start eating healthy and exercising. It will be hard. You will want to quit. However, if you really want to get fit, try working for it. It will be rewarding. You will be proud of yourself.

Plus, you will be a role model and in inspiration to others. You’ve got got this! You can be healthy and fit years before your initial consult. What are you waiting for?

Disgusted with Manitoba waitlist for bariatric surgeries

by: Tami H

Manitoba health for out province surgery told me they would only pay for my surgery if done by a sturgeon at a hospital. I have the money to have the surgery done in a private clinic but once i cleared that with the health care they changed their mind and now can't even tell how much they will reimburse me. Having surgery is a last resort for someone who is bmi over 50. Its a life and early death solution.

I choose to live but health problems are preventing me from being hopeful to live past 55 yrs old. My health is at high risk in MB because i want to prevent my high risk health problems and Drs in MB want to just treat the problems after I've been suffering for years. I live everyday with pain lately in joints and now skin infections my only solution is to have surgery and quickly as I must return to work in a physically demanding job. Which at 52 im not changing careers.

I finally got a good RNP to referral me for surgery only to find out in MB the wait time is 10 yrs or more plus bmi must be under 55. The 1 hospital only does 200 surgeries per yr. This is what our stupid province makes people like me have to do if we want to save our life. Ontario has 12 hospitals wait time is up to 2 yrs.

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