waiting list

I often thought the same thing-- what if I do everythign right, lose the weight, have my bmi drop significantly and they say no.

My RN Corey was super from the beginning and reassured me that I'd not be getting any sort of no. My bmi started at 57.6 and it's now 42.2. I started WW at 315.6 lbs and am now down to 231 and I haven't had  my surgery yet.

A bmi of 35 and up is the guidelines and after meeting with the docs and surgeon it's a proven fact that people that lose weight  gain weight--- it's not rocket science but with using surgery as a tool and not that quick fix- weight loss can be better and more maintaned as we have already changed so much that suregery is just another aid.

I asked the surgeon when i seen him in May and he said that I would not get turned down no matter how well I did but I did have the choice to not go in at any time. Some days I sit on the fence as I have lost 97 lbs since June 09 since my sons birth and 84lbs since August when i joined WW. Its such a huge decision but today I'm all for it and await the call. It's not a cop-out its a great option to use with my healthy lifetsyle.

I'd suggest you start to research the rpos & cons of each of the 3 surgeries that are offered at RAH. How much do you have to lose? What is your lifestyle like? Do you have support? etc etc The questions are endless.

Lapband is a sterile ring inserted around your belly making a pouch-- it's a foreign objest in your tummy that will give the results of a by-pass over a longer period of time but can slip and erode into the stomach. It needs more compliance and requires fills. Its a great tool though but not for all.
The sleeve is the one surgery that they don't have the long term data on and the remove 80% of the stomach leaving you with a golfball size, banana length sleeve. Its scary to think you'll have such a small PERMANENT tummy but it is a success and the expected excess weight loss is 60-80%. The hormone controlling hunger is also significantly reduced with the portion that is removed from the body.
RNY is the golden nugget of all and is the one that has the highest results. Its bypassing the intestines to the stomach but the stomach protion that is cut away is left inside the stomach. This surgery wasn't on my list and I was not approved for this one so I really didn't do all the research on it.
I had such success at WW that I can do nothing but boast how wonderfult he program and all the staff are. They are open and honest and can be reached whenever you need them.

You are on the right track with the modules, pedometer, journalling and exercise. I take a vitamin D and a womens one a day daily ( switching to prenatal when they are done which is the vitamin they reccommend  for both males and females post surgery.


Hope I could help some!! :)

I also had the same questions that you did and remained on pins and needles throughout, so afraid that if I lost weight that they would then say 'oops... no surgery for you!" however, that is not the case. I did lose a fair amount throughout the year, and now I will be getting the surgery and because I have made the changes, my surgery will be successful long term. that is the goal for Weight Wise.
 
I went into this thinking that the surgery itself was the 'fix' however, I now understand that it is simply a tool that must be used as part of a series of steps.

I  am deeply impressed with the Weight Wise program... I feel for the first time in my adult life, as if I am going to be successful long term.

Wow, I can't thank you enough for all your help and info.  Kim, I'm curious why the last surgery was not an option for you.  Do they only allow certain surgeries for certain ppl?  I sure am glad I found you guys.  Are you all in Edmonton? 
Nancy

Honestly RNY scared the crap out of me. Its rerouting your intestines. I guess I could wrap my head around the fact that I'd lose 80% of my stomach thought- go figure LOL

I was told by the surgeon that my weight came down enough that I'd not be the best candidate for RNY for that the sleeve ( which was my choice) would give me the desired results.
Gastric sleeve used to be performed on potential by pass patients as a 2 step surgery. They get the sleeve until their bmi and weight came down enough to go in for the big kahuna.

Was just not the surgery for me . I set a goal for myself at 175 and with the sleeve I see this as a highly attainable goal. Lapband was ultimately my first pick but I'm about 3 hrs from the city in Fox Creek and I'm really ready to get on with life and not have fills etc.

Sleeve here I come!!

Hi Nancy!! It is really great to have a little online support group . We all know what each other is going through and  what to expect with the clinic etc. Your time in the program will no doubt go fast. The wait to get referred and accepted is about a yr and then 9 months in or so before you see the surgeon- was for me anyway. Started August 09, Surgeon May /10, Surgery in Fall 10. Its a nice even paced program though and I learned so much about how I ate the way I did and I'm happy to report I'm a new me and LOVE it!!

Keep the comments, concerns and questions coming! We're all here to help!! :)