INFO ON REVISION SURGERY NEEDED

Question
QUESTION: Hi i had rouy-en-x surgery 6 years ago. i was 400lbs at the time of my surgery. i got down to 280lbs and then my life fell apart, or what at the time i thought it did. i lost my job after 12 years with the same employer and that sent me into a deep depression that lasted almost 3 years before i was able to find a permanent full time great job but in that time i gained all the weight i lost back and i am currently at 410lbs.. even heavier! i feel like my doctor who did the surgery let me down, he retired a year after i had my surgery and i was left on my own and thats where things went down hill for me. right now i am severely depressed, i can barely function on my own, i cant stand or walk for more than 5 minutes without my back feeling like it is going to break, i feel like i am just pounds away from being bed ridden, i have had asthma since i was very young and it is very bad now, my knees hurt constantly, my feel and legs swell everyday and it hurts to walk, i have had my period for 11 months straight and i feel like i am going to die if i don't do something and do it fast... i heard about revision surgery and need more information it. i live just outside of Toronto, Ontario Canada and have been trying to find local doctors who do this surgery but i cant find any info online. i need to know if there are local doctors who do the revision surgery and i need more information on the actual surgery itself as i really don't know anything about it. i don't know if it is covered under OHIP or if it is even an option for me. i just know that if i don't do something about my weight asap i will die. I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!

ANSWER: Michelle,

Thank you for your question. I can give you some advice based on my experience with Synergy Bariatrics in Buffalo, NY and our dealings with OHIP.

OHIP does cover the costs of revisional surgery in the US for approved candidates.  One of the surgeons in our practice performs this procedure.  However, we are not permitted to provide even surgical consultation to anyone in Ontario without OHIP approval. There may be surgeons in Ontario who perform the procedure, but I do not have any facts about coverage or the names of local physicians who perform it.

According to a recent update from my contact with the Ministry of Health, bariatric surgery patient selection performed in both Ontario and US is still triaged by the regional assessment centres.  In order to be considered for approval, you must be seen there first.  

The out of pocket expense for a consultation with Synergy Bariatrics may give you some piece of mind.  

The reasons for your weight regain are complex and should be addressed by the properly trained professionals.  If you haven't gotten started by making your appointment at a centre, do that first.  In the meantime, you may wish to keep your family physician engaged.

Regards

Julia Kabakov

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for replying to my question. i just have a few more questions. when i went through my surgery there was no regional assessment centres so i am not even familiar with them or even that process of how to go about being seen there. can you give me details on how i go about doing that? also you said i can consider a consultation with Synergy Bariatrics, can you tel me how much that would cost for the consultation? i think i would be interested in doing that while i am trying to get seen at the assessment centre. any information you can give me on these two items would be greatly appreciated and again thank you so much for your responce, it gives me some hope that i might be able to have this done and get my life back on track and get over the depression of gaining all the weight back that i fought so hard to lose.

Answer
I believe that the University Health Network in Toronto may be the nearest assessment centre to you.  Most likely you will need a referral from your family physician to schedule an appointment.

Many of the assessment centres have an established bariatric surgery program as part of their service offerings.  In talking and reading about these centres, there are variable wait times before you may be seen at one; up to 18 months.  

I would suggest that you use your waiting time to further investigate the procedure and surgeons who perform it.  You can also seek help for the management of the other comorbid conditions you mentioned; depression, asthma, etc.

As with any other bariatric surgery practice, there are requirements to fulfill before an appointment can be scheduled.  For information about becoming a patient of Synergy Bariatrics, please contact our new patient liason, Linda at 716 565-3990 x 103.  She will give you instructions about how to get started and share with you the cost for a cash pay consultation with Dr. Caruana.  

Thank you and good luck!
Julia Kabakov

1. Prev:gastric sleeve surgery
2. Next:Palpitations