1st consult with WW on August 8 - want advise from others

Hi there.  I just found this website and immediately signed up as a member. 
I have been waiting just over 2 years for my first app't at Alberta Weight Wise at the Royal Alex.
Time is ticking away and I have just over a month left!  Yay! 
Just wondering how the clinic works and if anyone has any advise for me to do before I get there.  I have all the paperwork filled out that I need to bring and will be starting my diet journal soon.  
Does anyone know of any good online free food journals out there?
Also, how long from when you had your first visit until you had the surgery?  I am 260 pounds and 5'3" tall.  I need to lose about 120-130 pounds.
Thank you for taking the time to read this :)
Christina

Hi Christina & welcome!!!

I started WW on August 6th, 2009 & was approved for surgery on May 3rd. I'm still waiting for the surgery date call but it'll likely be before summers end. So about one yr wait but everyone is a different case. I started the program at 315 lbs and am now 233.
My best advice is to go buy a 3 ring binder & start journalling now. Use it to log your meals, calories & feelings. It's a great reference to go back to when you have good & bad days. You'll need to take it to every meeting at the clinic.
Sparkpeople.com is a great site to keep track but I use packaging & my binder every single time I eat something.
The staff there is super & things will seem to go fast early on. ie- sleep apnea rest, body scan, meeting your dietitian, rn etc.
My phone is going to die so I must go for now.
Ask all the questions you need & we'll all give our insights!!

Best wishes!!

Hi Christina,

I started the program in July of 09 and have had appts about every 8 weeks. I was approved for the gastric sleeve surgery last week.

Everyone experiences different things when they start the weight loss programs but my experience were as follows,
-I done the orientation and decided that this was for me, signed the papers and all.
-Had my first set of appts where I seen the nurse, nutritionist, and psychologist.
-Second set of appts I met Dr Sharma (surgeon).
-Had all the blood work done, bone density, body composition, sleep apnea test.
-Continued with the appointment
-Seen Dr Sharma again in April, he referred me to see the surgical team.
-Seen Dr Menezes and was approved for surgery.
-Between all these appts I done the modules required.

It seem like all this stuff will take forever but seriously it's the quickest ride of your life. I suggest you start your journal now and also track why you eat, such as actually hungry, boredom, or emotional eating. If you are an emotional eater try picking up some new habits to help with not eating. I agree with what  Kim said, buy a 3 ring binder and keep all your information that you get from the clinic and modules together. They want you to wear a pedometer and track your steps per day.

Other than that do your research on the 3 types of surgeries offered and know what you want to choose and show that you are knowledgeable  about the surgeries.

I wish you the best of luck and hope to see you post often on this forum. And remember no question is a stupid one. We're like one big family here and have lots to offer and gain from this forum.

Kee

Buy a cheapie pedometer and start tracking your daily steps, start taking a daily mulitvitamin, quit smoking if you smoke, Journaling is huge, look into and sign yourself up for some modules...
 
My first visit was February 2009, surgery was April 2010.

Thank you guys for your response.   I was thinking once I got surgery in my mind that is when I would seriously start losing weight.  but... I realize now after reading up on everything and my own thoughts, that it has to start now! 
I have started journaling here on this site yesterday and will have to look into a pedometer.
I feel so impatient and hardly know how I can wait until August.. lol  
The biggest thing I am stuggling with is the smoking issue.  I know that I have to quit and have never tried to.  I am scared that I can't and it will be the hardest thing, even harder than food, so therefore, I have never tried. :(  
I am relatively healthy.  I am 36 years old with two children and never had any obesity related health issues as of yet.  I know that if I don't get this weight off, it will start soon.  I believe I am on the right track and am so excited to get the help that I need with this.
Thank you all so much for your responses and I am sure you will be seeing me around here :)
Christina

Went to Module One on Sept/09 and still waiting for my first assessment appointment! I live in Winnipeg, MB