questions about Richmond

I'm probably not in the right area of this board to ask this question, but I'll go ahead anyway.  is there somewhere on these boards that answer questions about a specific surgeon/clinic?
I'm interested in going to see Dr Sampan in Richmond, but don't have a family doctor and so need to find one who will refer me.
In the meantime, how long is the process from the first consultation to surgery?  (usually)
Does msp cover 100% of the costs associated with a bypass?
thanks and I"m enjoying reading all that you wonderful people have to say!  Good work everyone!!!

Hi:
Dr. Sampath is great, as well as his team.  I had my RNY bypass on October 3.  My first consult appointment took a week and half to get booked for mid March.  I understand that his program is now so popular that it now takes about a year for the first appointment, but that is still much faster than anywhere else in Canada, and yes, it is 100% covered under BC Medical, if  you follow his program and get approved for surgery.  He has a website that you could check out at westcoast bariatric.  You do need a doctor's referral but it does not have to be a GP.  You could probably go to a walk-in clinic to get it.  I was referred by my Diabetes Specialist, so any doctor could do it for you.  You could start the program's process by referring yourself to the Garratt Wellness Centre to start their "Winning at Losing" Program, which would probably shorten your wait time after your first consult appointment.  Garratt Wellness Centre can be reached at 604-204-2007.  GOOD LUCK!
Barb Friesen

Thanks, Barb! It's a place to start at least!!

It took about 4 months from my referral to 1st visit.
and then 5 and a half months from my 1st visit until surgery!!

I had the sleeve, not the rny.  And BC Medical covered it all.
I believe they cover sleeve & rny, but do not cover the band.

Good luck!  Dr. Sampath is great! :)

Hi, you've come to the perfect place to ask your questions!!!!  Most of us on the board here see Dr. Sampath or his partner.  Barb is correct and the wait for an initial appt. is approx. 1 year, being that you are i the lower mainland you could put your name on his cancellation list and possibly get in sooner.  You can just go to a walk-in clinic and ask for the referral, depending on the doc there they may or may not do it.  I believe that the wait from first appt. to surgery is approximately 6-12 months depending on how well he thinks that you are doing.  You will have lots of appts. to keep you busy during the time that you're waiting for surgery though.  It is all 100% covered by BC medical.  Check out his website at www.westcoastbariatricsurgery.com

Good luck to you and keep us posted on how you're doing!!!!

Thanks all! 
I went to a walk in last night and asked for referral... I had to call back with the ph number of Dr Sampath and the nurse said she'd "talk to the doctor about it", so I have no idea if they'll do it or not... I'll wait and see what happens.
I had a gastroplasty in 2000, so I really just want to talk to a doctor about my options.  I weigh more now that I did at surgery (not an uncommon thing I've heard) and just can't seem to get it right now that I no longer have that tool to work with!
thanks for your help!

Congrats on making this step!!!!  I'd wait a few days and then give the clinic a call and see if they have put the referral in, make sure it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.  If they tell you they did it then check with Dr. Sampath's office to make sure that the referral was received.  If they won't put the referral through then go to a different clinic and try again!!!!  Good luck to you.

Hi, just to update people I just received my referral for my first visit with Dr. Sampath.  My visit is booked for January 12, 2012. My referral from my GP was submitted in early June so it's taking about 7-8 mos until your first visit.  I called the office a  few times just ensure my referral hadn't been lost!!