Malcontent?
Although Im certain Weight Wise does provide a valuable service to
those in need of a "weight management program" I find it rather
PRESUMPTUOUS of them to ASSUME that EVERYONE with a weight
problem needs to go through this process. And even though they state
very clearly that Weight Wise is a VOLUNTARY program, you either
sign their "consent to committ" or it ends with the 2 1/2 hr Orientation
you are required to attend, which by the way, has ABSOLUTLY NOTHING
to do with seeing a surgeon. In fact they just go on, and on, and on, and on
about how obesity is a chronic disease and how its equally important that
we all learn how to manage this particular disease, and that because our
country is now in an EPIDEMIC state, that Dr Sharma and his "weight
management program" AKA (Weight Wise) are the ONLY ones capable of
literally saving us from ourselves. BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!
The thing is, FORCING people to go through this program and making it
encumbant upon whether or not you even get in to see a surgeon is just...
WRONG! In fact, its more than wrong, its ABSURD, and SCARY, when
you really start thinking about all this, mostly because its OUR lives
that are in serious jeopardy. Im just APPALLED that they have gotten
away with having such ARROGANT ATTITUDES towards us, and for so
long. I find that its downright DISRESPECTFUL the way some of us are
treated, and spoken to, and that they somehow managed to convince Capital
Health as well as some of the other powers that be, that their program is
the ONLY SOLUTION in tackling this countries epidemic is just
INCOMPREHENSIBLE to me.
In fact, Xcalibur 2572, who has been Weight Wises biggest advocate, has
gone as far to say that even our own Doctors, as well as the surgeons
themselves are COMPLETELY INCAPABLE of weeding out the people who
are looking for a quck fix from those who actually do need the surgery,
which was why Weight Wise was essentially brought into place. Its become
their personal mission to prevent any unnecessary surgery, so I gotta say,
its a pretty impressive undertaking. And Im thinking, "WoW," this program.
this "TEAM of INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS" on obesity treatment must
have some pretty astounding credentials to believe that they actually know
more than our own Doctors, and that they can actually OVER RULE any said
treatments. Seriously, Im very impressed and I for one am looking forward
to actually seeing these "incredible credentials" for myself, and of course,
for my own peace of mind as well.
Of course, regardless of the overall SUPERIORITY they seem to have over
everyone, including our own Doctors, I find it EQUALLY DISTURBING that
they themselves have that kind of power. That they alone can decide what type
of surgery you get, or which Doctor you'll eventually get to see, provided you
even make it through their program. Ive heard so many stories since coming
into this program, like; anyone over 50 dont qualify for the surgery, including
anyone with any kind of respitory problems, or ambilitory problems. I also heard
that anyone over 500 lbs dont make the grade, either. And it isnt anything
personal. People that weigh in over 500 lbs are considered too high of a risk for
surgery, and that the surgeons themselves arent willing to risk any lawsuits in
regards to malpractice.
I was also quite suprised to learn that the Province had approved 2 surgeries a
week and up to 100 surgeries a year, and yet, according to Xcalibur2572, it isnt
that there arent any openings for the surgery, the problem is that out of the
2500 people involved in the Weight Wise program, NOT ONE person had passed
the criteria to even qualify for the surgery. Can you believe it! NOT ONE!!! I
suppose my next question would have to be, "what exactly is their criteria?" Im
so AMAZED by this I really want to know what it is that we're obviously not
getting here? Its either something very simple, and its literally staring us in the
face, or Im thinking Weight Wise has just set into place some very UNREALISTIC
EXPECTATIONS in order to promote their own agenda, which is to sell EVERYONE
on Dr Sharma's "weight management program."
My gawd, no wonder we're having to deal with all these LOST REFERALS, all those
LONG DELAYS and even LONGER WAIT LISTS. And especially since Weight Wise
seems to have taken it upon themselves to play GOD with peoples lives. Again, SCARY
stuff. Of course, when all is said and done, CLEARLY this is a system that DOES
NOT work. and by Xcalibur2572's own accounting, Weight Wise has become its own
worst enemy. and hardly seems bothered by what anyone thinks. Just remember one
thing..."ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY." And even though Weight
Wise claims to be a FREE program, none of them are doing this out of the kindness
of their hearts. Im certain the Province is shelling out millions of dollars for their
EXPERTISE in the treatment of obesity, and I for one would be very interested in
finding out what exactly Dr Sharma's gets for all his...good intentions?
We'll just leave that one alone for now, and especially considering I DO NOT have
all the facts in this particular area. But the one thing I am certain about is that
this cant be allowed to continue the way it has. We're up against a group of BULLIES
who dont given a damn about what we think or how we feel, and unfortunately they were
right about one thing, with the Province standing behind them we have no where else to
go. But before any of you lose all your hope I just want to remind everyone that
regardless of your own cir****tance, whether you're FAT or POOR, have a +30 BMI
or a +50 BMI, we're still 500,000 strong. and regardless of the fact that Weight Wise
seems to have the upper hand right now, our own government will NOT be able to over
look the fact that we're also 500,000 registered voters who do have a voice in this
country. That alone gives me alot of hope, even though I myself might NEVER make it
to the end of my own journey because of all this.
Anyway, I would very much like to hear from all of you. Your own personal stories.
Some of the things you yourself had to endure since becoming involved with Dr Sharma's
weight management program, (Weight Wise) And if for any reason you do not feel like
you can speak freely on this forum, please feel free to PM me anytime. I look forward
to hearing from you, and I'de also like to thank Obesityhelp.com themselves for allowing
us to express our concerns through this site.
Malcontent??? I think NOT! I just have a very low tolerance for BULL**IT
Ya seem real angry!...there are other choices for those who don't want to be at that clinic such as Red Deer and Medicine Hat.
You asked for personal experience so here is mine:
Yes it took some time to get in...and it made me want to be successful even more.
Now that I am in the program I think it is good. You have to wait to book appointments and it takes a while...but I am down 19 pound and feel great. This is a lifelong journey...and I need to take the time I NEED to figure it out.
Yes I have tried other things to manage my weight...but as they said in my orientation...be open to trying things again. This might be the time that it works.
I have had friends who 'just wanted surgery' and to skip the other stuff ...went to Mexico..and they are not very successful. A close friend of mine went through the program and is a wealth of knowledge...and might I add feels amazing.
You said: The thing is, FORCING people to go through this program and making it
encumbant upon whether or not you even get in to see a surgeon is just...
WRONG!
the thing is...they are not forcing you! You are making a choice to continue. Yes I hear that you are educated in weight loss...however I have to assume that you haven't been successful long term. My personal philosophy is...give it a chance because what I have been doing is not working for me.
Your comments about ARROGANT ATTITUDES is unfounded and untrue...everyone from the team has been amazing and very supportive and it has really helped me.
You said: find it EQUALLY DISTURBING that
they themselves have that kind of power. That they alone can decide what type
of surgery you get, or which Doctor you'll eventually get to see, provided you
even make it through their program.
Well--I was asked If I had considered surgery and what type of surgery I was interested in...SO...I am the most important part of the team approach. In fact the whole process has been very open even to the point that they dictate letters in front of you ...so you know what they are saying. They want you and the clinic to be successful I am sure they were not so diligent in the past and didn't get the results they wanted.
I think there are a number of other inaccuracies that you are hearing from others but until you have asked those at the clinic...they are just rumors.
You asked: "what exactly is their criteria?"
I am not sure if I can answer that...however I am going to guess based on many other weight loss centers and my experience thus far:
-show your commitment to permanent life changes such as healthy diet and exercise, no pop etc.
-evaluate any medical or psychiatric conditions
-check out all your current meds to see if that is a possible source of weight gain.
-rule out addictions such things as Alcoholism, Chemical Dependency, or Chemical Abuse
-clean nutritional evaluation
You wrote: Ive heard so many stories since coming
into this program, like; anyone over 50 dont qualify for the surgery, including
anyone with any kind of respitory problems, or ambilitory problems. I also heard
that anyone over 500 lbs dont make the grade, either
I think that the benefits of the surgery need to outweigh the risks The co-morbidities or age make the potential risks greater than the likely benefits of the surgery, some people can be over weight...over 50 and still live a good life.
You said: I for one would be very interested in
finding out what exactly Dr Sharma's gets for all his...good intentions?
I think you should call the clinic and ask to be put through to discuss the program. I got a call back in 2 hours...voiced my concerns asked my questions../then carried on. I was a great process while I was waiting.
That alone gives me alot of hope, even though I myself might NEVER make it
to the end of my own journey because of all this.
It does feel horrible to wait...and you feel like it will never happen for you...but it will! Keep hope and know that you can and will make it through. Start focusing on doing what you gotta do. I was afraid that it would be all for nothing also...but it has not been that for me, It has been a good experience and I hope it will be for you too.
Just know that beyond the 2500 people on the wait list there is another thing to consider...once you become a client...you have access for life, which means they are also supporting a huge network of former people who have gone before you.
I love your healthy expression and think it is good that you are expressing yourself. I would jump on your bandwagon if I thought that it was warranted and needed to change...however we are at different places on this issue.
All the best...and keep on going. If you want to change something sometimes the best way is from within.
Thank you for replying to my post and I just wanted to say that Im so
glad you are having such a positive experience. And you're right, some
people do need this program for so many reasons, and if Wieght Wise
works best for you, Im genuinely HAPPY FOR YOU, and I wish you all
the continued success you deserve. Unforunately, they are NOT the
end all and the be all in tackling our countries obesity epidemic, and
if I seem ANGRY, thats probably because I have to contend with people
like Xcalbur2572 who have made some pretty astounding statements in
regards to the Weight Wise program. I was not only offended personally,
I was offended by his/her mere audacity in regards to the ways things
are done. This isnt a game, and I refuse to jump through anyones hoops
because thats just the way things are done. I also didnt appreciate being
labelled a MALCONTENT for merely voicing my own concerns through my
own experiences.
It sounds like you are tired of jumping through other peoples hoops and have had enough, I hear ya. I missed the whole discussion between the two of you...I hope you work it out.
I appreciate your point of view even if I don't always agree...stay strong and listen to your voice to know what is best for you.
Keep us posted as you go through the journey...we are in it together...and for ourselves.
You have misinterpreted my comments. As I said in the other thread, it is the GPs who I have little confidence about their experience regarding weight management and bariatric surgery. If they actually did possess such skills, there would likely be a far less need for specialized weight management programs or commericial services.
Okay, now you are just speaking without knowing the facts. People over 500 lbs are not considered too high risk. If that were the case, I wouldn't have been referred to the surgeon when I was over 500 lbs. The fact of the matter is that the clinic has a third procedure called a vertical sleeve gastrectomy which is specifically intended for higher BMI patients as lower risk first step. If needed, the patient can then undergo the RNY bypass once their weight makes the surgery safer to perform.
As for criteria, It's fairly simple.
- Maintain a 5-10% weight loss over time. My period was 6 months. I did it in 5.
- Make small, but permanent changes in your lifestyle meaning exercise/dietary changes, etc
- Seek treatments for co-morbidities - sleep apena is a big one for the clinic.
- Food Logs and Wearing a pedometer
In terms of surgeries, my dated information on this subject was that we were performing 2 surgeries a week, up to 100 a year. So, I am not sure where you got 100 a week. It could be that that this is a province wide number to be divided up between the clinc, Dr. Farries, and Dr. Nohr. Now, I will admit that with the arrival of their latest surgeon, Dr. Karmali, the number of weekly procedures could be increasing. I do not know.
I really wish you would stop putting words into my mouth. I have not said that the WW clinic is its own worst enemy nor that it isn't bothered with what anybody thinks. The fact of the matter is that the clinic cares very much for their patients, from what I have seen. Never have I been pushed in any direction that I didn't want to go, been scolded for doing something wrong, or treated like less than a human being there. In fact, its probably the only medical unit that I've been in my decades of dealing with my obesity that gets it and doesn't shrug it off as lack of willpower or laziness.
In closing, I hope that your appointment tomorrow at the clinic goes better than you expect. However, given that you've had almost nothing good to say about the clinic or it's process, I suspect that I'll be reading another vile filled posting from you. Please, prove me wrong.
arent any openings for surgery. In fact, the Province approved 2 surgeries
a week, and 100 surgeries a year, yet out of the 2500 people that are in
the Weight Wise program, NOT 1 person qualified for this surgery. This
totally blows my mind, and yet they dont seem to have a problem approving
candidates for the lap band surgery. And before you go on to say thats
because its less evasive than the RNY, just wait until they have to cut you
open to remove that band. I believe you can look the procedure up on Youtube
if you want to judge for yourelf. Its pretty horrendous, it takes a long time
to lose any weight, not to mention the complications that come after having
that thing cut out of you are equally disturbing.
And before ANYONE ELSE ASSUMES that the only reason Im so upset is
because I dont want to do the work....I want you to know that I spent TWO
YEARS devoted to the Weigh****chers program, and have been very
successful at making some serious lifestyle changes. I lost almost 100 lbs
since Oct, 07. Ive gone from eating between 22-25000 calories a day down
to 2-3000 calories a day. I dont follow any specific diets, although I am
calorie aware, I do read labels, and Ive learned (through Weigh****chers)
how to make healthier choices. I also quit smoking, I dont drink, and the only
reason I do drugs (perscription) is because I happen to have a very serious
knee injury that can only be repaired by surgery. The problem is that the
Ortho surgeons wont touch me because Im just too FAT to qualify for the
surgery, so I live in constant pain, I can only walk as far as the end of my
driveway, and thats only with the aide of my crutch's. I do have a wheelchair
for when I do have to go out, but I try very hard NOT to use it unless I
absolutely have NO CHOICE. And even though my sole motivation has been
to just keep moving, to keep doing as much as I can for as long as I can, my
knees are getting worse, and the barbituates I use to control the pain is
becoming less and less effective. Im also in the High normal range for having
High Cholestral, not to mention that I now have Diabetes literally staring me
in the face. And yes, it can be controlled through medication, but this particular
disease runs rampant in my family and EVERYONE that has had it is now DEAD!!!
I just lost my father in Feb, 07, and seriously I feel that Im running out of time.
And YES, IM SCARED, Im scared out of my mind because I feel like Im fighting
for my LIFE! Im trying very hard to make my life count for something, but none
of that means a goddamn thing to Weight Wise. All they care about is PROMOTING
Dr Sharma's "weight management program" which means you either go through HIS
program or you're out! It isnt right, and they shouldnt be allowed to get away with
that. Some us have worked very hard towards qualifying for this surgery, only to be
told point blank that it counts for NOTHING!
I was approved and waiting for my surgery date....I was told around the end of May...
I have been in the program for a year and a half..... They understand obesity more than any other program, or doctor I have talked to.
If you have nothing good to stay about Weight Wise....then step down and let someone else go in your place. The waiting list is long....
You want an instant cure....go to Mexico!!!
Sheeeeeeesh!
Whether you like it or not, I have just as much right to participate on this forum as you do regardless whether you like my views and opinions or not. Do us all a favor and use the Block Member feature on my profie. I'll do the same and then I don't have to read anymore of your virtual defamation nonsense.
With that said, I'm done with your mudslinging. Not that I cared in the first place. It's just sad that you had to resort to a personal attack rather than defending your argument. All I did was defend myself from your assumptions about what I said.
In closing, I'll be the mature one by reiterating what I have said to you previously. Good luck with your treatment. I hope that you get whatever assistance you are seeking.
Kathy S. · 0 replies · 944 views
