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Member | susanbee1964 posts 5 3:50 pm January 8, 2010
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Hi. I've been considering lapband surgery for quite some time and now I feel like I've hit rock bottom…it's time to do something so that I can start living. I feel like there's an athletic, outgoing person dying to get out.
How much is the surgery with Dr. Amson and what is the approximate amount of time between your first consult and your surgery date? I recently heard that the number of surgeries being performed every year has been cut in half so that's why I was wondering about the wait time.
I've read a number of posts in throughout the Forum….congratulations to you all, you have done so well, such inspirations.
Susan
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Member | Roxeanne posts 434 3:57 pm January 8, 2010
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Hi Susan
I dont know what the wait time for lapband is. I know it is a lot faster than RNY or Gastric Sleeve because it is self pay. Hope someone can give you a better answer. I just know that lap band is way faster and the cuts have nothing to do with lapband because of lapband being self pay.
Roxeanne
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Member | christyh posts 11 4:12 pm January 8, 2010
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HI Susan,
I just had my consultation with Dr. Amson after a two year wait and 6 appointment cancellations from his office. The first step is getting in to see him. I am not sure if you can pay to have a private consultation with him, but if you go the referal route, it will take at least 2 years before you even say hello!
I am also looking to have the lapband done, and at the end of December when I saw Dr. A he advised me the cost is $15,000 and wait time is approximatly 2-3 months.
Hope this helps,
C
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Member | christyh posts 11 10:33 pm January 8, 2010
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Here is an update from somebody I have made contact with through these boards.
Direct from Dr. Amson's office
Vancouver Island Health Authority $9,600 (arrangements through them for payment)
Dr. Amson & Dr. Tang $4,500 (certified Cheque)
Anesthetic services $1,000 (arrangements through them for payment)
All payments must be finalized 14 days prior to surgery.
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Member | susanbee1964 posts 5 6:10 pm January 10, 2010
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Christyh…..I'm a little confused. Did you get referred to Dr. Amson and wait two years to see him even though you paid for the surgery yourself?
Susan
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Member | christyh posts 11 8:13 pm January 11, 2010
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susanbee1964 said:
Christyh…..I'm a little confused. Did you get referred to Dr. Amson and wait two years to see him even though you paid for the surgery yourself?
Susan
Hi Susan,
I can understand why you would be confused! I have not had the surgery… yet! I asked for a consultation two years ago and at that time I didn't really know my options. From that point on I did much research and was waiting for my consultation with Dr. A to get some more information to help make a decision. Basically, from the outset, there was no way I could afford $15,000 so i was going to wait for the RnY. That was until my parents began entertaining the idea of paying for the surgery.
So as of right now, I am leaning towards the lapband since the wait time for RnY has increased drastically. Had I known that the cost of lapband was a possibility for me I would have tried to get in earlier.
-C
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Member | iQuest WLS posts 3 6:38 pm January 17, 2010
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Dr Andy Kluftinger and iQuest Healthcare is also providing gastric banding. The program began in December, and includes a comprehensve pre and post surgical component. There isn't a significant wait to start the presurgical program and to see Dr Kluftinger and the rest of the team. Surgeries are being booked within 3 to 6 months at this point in time.
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| Fiona Range 7:51 pm January 17, 2010
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I asked Dr. Amson's office for Mid Band surgery on November 2nd and was given a date of January 20th. He will provide all of the aftercare that I need if I need it, but my local GP will do my fills.
I wonder how many Lap Bands the surgeon in Kelowna has placed laproscopically?
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Member | iQuest WLS posts 3 8:16 pm January 17, 2010
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I don't know the exact number of gastric bands, however he is a very experienced surgeon and has done over 1000 advanced laparoscopic procedures. He is the head of surgery at Kelowna General and is highly respected by his colleagues. He has trained for the LAGB with the bariatric surgeons at the Weightwise program in Edmonton.
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Admin
| Ron posts 871 8:24 pm January 17, 2010
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Dr Kluftinger is highly respected and a very talented surgeon. I'm absolutely certain no one should worry what so every if they chose IQuest in Kelowna. Their clinic and Dr Kluftinger are certainly on my list of recommended surgery options for Band surgery. In fact their post surgery and follow-up program are second to none in Canada.
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Member | skinnysue posts 34 2:52 pm January 19, 2010
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I made my initial request for lapband in Sept. of 08 and had my Lapband surgery Nov 14 of 08 in Missasauga Ont. at the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic. I knew 2 people at that time who were very happy with their surgery from there. My band is a Lapband opposed to the Midband. I have been very happy with my results and lost 70 lbs. in 5 months with very little effort. It was like being on a diet without being hungry. I have my adjustments by a trained RN in Victoria and can usually get in same week of my request. To me that is important because I hear of people in Dr. Amson, etc. clinic having to wait at least a couple of weeks, and when I want an adjustment I want one soon. I also was permitted to get one every 2 weeks if I needed one, and to me that was the key to my success, getting to the perfect level as soon as possible. My surgery was $16000 and I used Airmiles to get to Toronto. Thats my input!
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Member | Janice posts 44 7:37 pm January 19, 2010
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If you did not know your options and got a referral for bariatric surgery, it takes a long time for the consult. If you inform your referring doctor to make sure it is a consult for banding, you can get in in a month or so. I asked my family doctor for a referral on February16. April 28 was supposed to be my initial consult, but they cancelled, so my actual initial consult was May 19. It could have been sooner, but I had other commitments. My surgery was at the end of July. So really, it was not that long at all, but I also did my homework. I knew exactly what my options were, and what I wanted. I could tell him why I was overweight and even explain my commitment to changing my lifestyle.
In total, it cost nearly $16,000.
Between the end of July and mid-December, I had lost 67 lbs and two full sizes, and I'm still losing, but have not been in to get weighed since before Christmas. Having this surgery was the best thing I ever did! 
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