Questions, Questions, Questions!

Hi Everyone.

I am going to be heading into my initial assessment for weight wise in April. wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect? is there anything I can do to prepare? Any tips at all would be appreciated!

Also, wondering if those of you who have had surgery... how much input did you get into which surgical option you went with? I'm interested in VSG but heard from my family doc that they really push lapband and roux-en-y.

thanks in advance!

Hello there,

I attended my orientation/module 1 last June.  Overall the experience has been very good and I've learned a lot.  As a person who has dieted off and on since the age of 10, I felt I knew pretty much everything there was to know about dieting but I've really had my eyes opened to a lot of things. 

From my experience, the staff at the Weight Wise Clinic are really very nice and understanding.  Be prepared to journal everything you eat because that's their number 1 requirement.  

I wish I could see them more often than every 6 weeks or so because I've found that it's easy to lose momentum.  The modules get filled up pretty quickly and due to the H1N1 outbreak, they were postponed for a few months.

I've been attending the emotional eating group every Thursday evening and it's been really wonderful.  I'm really learning to recognize the things that trigger my over eating.

I haven't spoken to a surgeon yet but I've been asked many times whether I'm interested in surgery.  I guess that's the next step.  I'm hoping for VSG eventually.

I hope my answer isn't too vague but one thing I can say is that you will definitely get out of it what you put into it.  That's my experience.

Good luck on your journey!

Thanks so much for the info... I have been struggling with journalling. Its never been something I have been good at, but so far- I've strapped on the pedometer and am logging my steps everyday. I dont always get 10k but I have only missed two days of wearing it since Sept.

I have also bought a bunch of books like Bariatric Surgery for Dummies and am really amazed my the amount of info out there. This website has been really great too.

What are your appointments at the ww clinic like?

Hi, 

I had my first assessment in Feb 2009.  They will want you to do a Sleep Apnea test.  I did mine before going to my first assessment.  My family Dr put me on a waiting list and it was a minimum of a year wait.  I went to a private clinic instead and paid $150.  I was diagnosed within a month.

Keeping a journal has to be a super priority.  My therapist suggested I leave my book in the bathroom and write whenever I go.  It is weird at first but it works.

Good Luck
Katrina

Hi,
I have just recently had VSG. My surgeon explained all three surgical options(VSG,RYGB,Band)

 to me I did not feel presured to choose one over the other.  

Thank you all so much for all the information!

I am attending the modules and I'm trying to get prepared for the big changes that are coming my way- and I am so excited!

I love that this site exists. Its amazing to have a place where it is possible to talk to others who have gone through the exact same thing as I am hoping to!

i had a hard time finding a way to journal consistently. I have a Blackberry and use the Calendar and then synch it to Outlook on my laptop which I can print out and take to the clinic. Now I use an app on my iPod Touch but it doesn't show what time I ate at which is what they want at the clinic. I am having surgery next week so I am not so worried about the times and stuff just tracking my calories now. Kind of wish I had been using this since the beginning cause I sure could have used the reality check on how choices really do affect our weight loss. I am visual and having the chart showing my daily calorie intake really helps me.

For the initial assessment I would bring in anything that you have tracked thus far and a recording of your steps.

Thats first day is very mind boddling and there are lots of questions and comments made and it's a little over whelming at frist but it's one of the biggest steps you'll take in life. They will continue to ask you if you want surgery, sometimes i think they are wondering if thats the only reason we are there or  are  we willing to try and do it on our own as well of course with there advice and help. They are very forward in stating just because you've made it thus far doesn't mean you'll be having weight lost surgery.

I've been in the clinic since July 09 and just had an appt last wednesday, in april I visit again and will see the surgicial team.  I've finally decided due to some health problems that just arrised that I want the surgery now. But having decided which one.

Good Luck and be prepared it's a long stretch to the finish line. But one well worth it.

Hola,

I have been in the Weight Wise program for over 2 years (thats after waiting a couple years to even get in). I needed ovary surgery and had some health concerns regarding that, which is why it took me about an extra year once in the program.  Expect LOTS of appointments... but make sure you go into them with some patience, and a positive attitude. Thanks to all the rings I've been put through, now that the  time is here I actually feel very ready for it! It was a VERY long and frustrating wait though, but make the best of it. Follow their instructions, work hard. This is not a quick fix.

Dr. Karmali didn't push any surgery. He told me I could have whichever one I chose. Originally I opted for the gastric bypass, but recently had it changed to the sleeve. This was mainly over my concern to be able to have a healthy, nourished baby, and because I like the fact the risks are lowered with the sleeve.

One thing I want to mention is that your goal to get to 122 lbs may not even be achievable. The goal of surgery and weight loss in the WeightWise program is to lose about 50% of your EXCESS weight within a year of surgery.... not to become "thin" or even within the "average" range -- they state that in numerous handouts and thats what the doctor told me. Sure, some people do get that thin, but getting into the 120's is simply unattainable to most people. You need to be realistic, and surgery isn't the easy way out by any means, it will take a lot of hard work.  Start losing the weight NOW, and follow the advice you get. The nutrionists and everyone at the clinic is pretty awesome, and I also found the modules very helpful.

Good luck on your journey!

Thank you so much for the information... you've been a bit of a rollercoaster, eh? I am really excited to get started. I am a great student and am excited to be learning all these tools to get healthy.

I am trying to find some tools that work for me for journalling, because that is something I am just not good at. Other than that, I am cruising this site looking for as much information as possible.

I am glad you mentioned my unattainable goal! I feel it is an insane goal as well. I have been doing a lot of reading and am basing my goal on getting to a healthy BMI. I have a software program that calculates a bunch of numbers and gives you the weight you will feel your best at based on height, waist measurement, and body fat %. It gave me the weight of 122 lbs as my ideal feel good weight. That's a big part of this journey for me... I want to feel good and I want to live a long time.

Thanks again!