Canadian Patients FAQ
Considering travelling to the US for your Weight Loss Surgery? Here are some questions we at PSSC get from our Canadian Patient group to help you with your journey:
I can get weight loss surgery in Canada can't I? Why should I come to the USA to get it done?
There are some procedures done in Canada, both self pay and some covered by Medical Services Plan. Waiting for these procedures is an option for some people, and not others. It is a personal choice. We have heard a number of people mention that they felt that the length of the wait and the options available were not what they wanted.
What kind of surgeries do you do at PSSC?
We specialize in minimally invasive techniques and do traditional RouxN-Y (Gastric bypass) but more frequently our patients choose Lap-Band as a restrictive device or the latest state of the art procedure, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.
How long do I have to wait for surgery at PSSC?
That is up to you. There are a few things to be done once you have talked with our surgeons that might take you a few weeks to complete, like a psychological evaluation, medical and blood tests and a few others. It is at your convenience to schedule those, and then we will work with you to pick the best surgery date for you.
How do I choose which surgical weight loss procedure is right for me?
That is a big question that you would discuss with your surgeon. Because there are additional choices of surgery types than you may have available in Canada, we would discuss them thoroughly with you. There are unique features in each of the procedures that may make one a better option than others. Our Doctors make a point of discussing in detail each of the procedures. You will find that through the conversation with our surgeon, the right answer for your circumstances will be clear.
Weight loss surgery across the border seems drastic. How do I know this is the right thing to do?
Weight loss surgery is not as universally available in Canada as it is in the US, so many of our patients from BC in particular, haven't met anybody that has had weight loss surgery. You can be assured that there have been so many innovations in minimally invasive techniques in the past years, it isn't what it used to be. Recovery times are minimal these days, and most of our procedures are actually day surgery!
I have tried so many diets in my life, how do I know this one will work?
Because this is not a diet. This is a surgical tool that you can use to take off a large percentage of your excess body weight. Our patients have Body Mass Indexes from 36 to 58 and find success in the procedure they select. It is a big leap to start a new life in a new state of health, but our patients tell us they would do it all over again in a minute. This is a new start.
