Comments on Weighty Matters: Ontario residents to wait even longer for bariatri...

The point everyone seems to be missing is one of p...

2009-12-12T19:00:32.638-05:00

The point everyone seems to be missing is one of politics and money: it is impolitic to say "your surgery and the rest of your life are too expensive for our system, so we need you to die sooner than later", so the bar is set high, the reimbursements low, and medical practitioners are kept few and far between (in the US, we keep hearing that many have left the profession due to low Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement rates -- and that many more have said they will close up practice should "Obamacare" or its ilk be forced upon them).

In short, you say "yes" to please the electorate, but make it impossible for them to take advantage of the "yes".

I live in the US and would be thrilled to find out...

2009-12-11T08:34:36.527-05:00

I live in the US and would be thrilled to find out that I would be scheduled for surgery in six months. As of today I've been waiting for my insurance company to approve the surgery for a year and a half.

I would like to see exercise become more of an int...

2009-12-09T12:56:22.052-05:00

I would like to see exercise become more of an intrigle component of this entire process both pre and post surgery.

This article isn't missing any information. R...

2009-12-08T16:23:22.992-05:00

This article isn't missing any information.

Regional assessment centres and wait times are separate from surgical centres and wait times. They're actually the step before the surgical consult.

Hi Actually you are missing some information. Toro...

2009-12-08T15:57:12.501-05:00

Hi
Actually you are missing some information. Toronto Western and Toronto General are also doing the surgeries. I just had mine done at Western and can tell you that the quality of care is excellent. They are offering a 5 year follow up program. While wait times still are a challenge if you do the surgery in province you benefit from excellent follow up on all fronts - psycho social, dietary, medical etc. I can only hope that once these centres get ramped up the wait times will be reduced.

The province/Min of Health is sooo short sighted w...

2009-12-08T15:28:51.868-05:00

The province/Min of Health is sooo short sighted with these changes. These new wait times are unacceptable, esp. in the case of the super-morbidly obese. I know that personally, I probably have saved the health care system money already 9 months post-op and their investment in the future? They have NO idea as it has not only improved MY health but the health of my entire familiy of 6. Of course having the BMI Center on my side has certainly helped and played a large role in my successes. Waiting 6 mths + just to be evaluated when you've already tried and failed numerous diets, etc is silly. Why can't applications just go in and be triaged for those who are "in need now" (ie. super morbidly obese, uncontrolled diabetics, etc) vs "those who are morbidly obese yet still, ahem, generally healthy for now" and can wait a little longer? Or if you had to go to a centralized center, at least do a true consultation and as a team, decide which surgery is best for each patient rather than a one size fits all as seems to be the current trend (yes - I am biased here!).

Feel sorry for those still waiting to reclaim their lives at this point. Hope this can get sorted out asap!

Hi Theresa, Currently the only two procedures OHI...

2009-12-08T11:28:08.853-05:00

Hi Theresa,

Currently the only two procedures OHIP will cover are gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Bands have never been covered (and likely won't ever be covered) and duodenal switches, while once covered, are currently off the table while the Ministry reviews risks/benefits.

Can you define bariatric surgery please? All type...

2009-12-08T11:22:02.263-05:00

Can you define bariatric surgery please? All types? (band etc) ?
Thank you and kind regards