The cash-strapped health region is trimming the fat, by cutting down on the number of surgeries it will perform on obese patients.
“It’s disappointing. We know we could help a lot of people, especially type 2 diabetics, we know in six months we can get them off their medications, ” says Dr. Jean Gaston DesCouteaux, who performs the lap-band procedure at the Peter Lougheed Hospital.
The CHR is facing an 85-million dollar deficit. It recently announced it will reduce the number of lap-band surgeries from 100 a year down to just 25. Doctors had hoped it would be increased to 150 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
“We can only do 25, and we’ve got 800 in the wings…we’ve got work for a lot of years,” says DesCoteaux.
An estimated wait time of two years has now ballooned to five years for patients like Kari Duarte, who is obese at 260 pounds.
She’s been in the region’s weight management program for the last six months awaiting surgery. She’s lost 13 pounds so far, but with 90 more pounds to go, she believes surgical weight loss is the right answer for her.
“I’ve tried Weight Watchers, I’ve tried over-the-counter diet plans, prescription drugs, I’ve tried it all, it’s just so hard, especially with my medical conditions” says Duarte.
Her doctor has told her she is an ideal candidate for the lap-band procedure. She suffers from polycystic ovaries, and because of her weight, also has borderline high blood pressure and joint problems.
“We have passes to the zoo. We go for a full day, then I’m down and out for 2 days because of my knees and feeling exhausted,” says Duarte.
She’s brought to tears at the thought of waiting for up to 5 years for a publicly funded weight loss surgery.
“People have medical problems as to why they are obese…and they need help,” says Duarte.
During surgery, doctors place an adjustable band around the stomach, restricting food intake and appetite. Dr. DesCoteaux says patients can lose up to 50% of their excess weight, but see immediate health benefits when they lose as little as 15% of their weight.
Duarte says she can’t afford private surgery in Toronto at a cost of $17,000.
She fears her medical conditions will worsen, as she waits in the queue for a surgical solution.
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