New to this all

Hi all.  I am new to this all.  I was referred to the WW program May 2009.  My first apt at the clinic is May 30th.  Actually this was the first contact I ever had with anyone (and it was with AHS not with the clinic).  Is this normal to wait so long - how cruel I had pretty much given up.

I am so confused - I try to read up but the lingo is sometimes too much (but I can easily be confused).

I have about 100 questions, but to not bore you all here are the top few:
1.  What should I expect the day of the first apt?
2.  How do you really know which surgery is best - and how do you even know you are 'eligible'?
3.  What happens after the first apt (for homework, etc)?

thank you for any help you can be - I know you have probably answered these questions for so many people before.

P

My first appt I really only remember seeing the nurse.  Soon after I probably saw the internest who just took an indepth history (Dr. Sharma). 

I was asked if i was 'there for surgery' and I said I was thinking about it.

There will be many months ahead of you and appts with your dietician, nurse, psychology, psychiatry, Occupational Therapy, blood work, body scan, etc before you meet with a surgeon to discuss surgical options.  They have to make sure you are well on your way to healthy changes, healthy lifestyle and have dealt with any emotional issues.

Take it easy and let your path unfold before you.

The staff at the clinic are great and there isn't really a lot of pre-preparation you can do.

Keep doing your modules, keep your diary, track your emotions and activities in your journal/food diary...that is the best thing you can do!

And wear your pedometer!

Thank you for replying.  I live out of town, so I will try to do what others have done and have multiple apts in one day (which obviously may take more time).  I really am unsure I even want any surgery.
I find it hard to get to the modules being out of town (and they are very difficult to get into).

thank you for the advice and I have started journaling and pedometer -ing.

Thanks for the good advice to take it as it comes!

P

You can decide at any time to inquire about surgery and ask your nurse or dietician about starting the process for approval.

I was probably 9 months into my clinic appts when I decided that I was going to seriously look at it, and decided to go for it.  Met with the surgeon in September-ish, completed all of my pre-op screening tests (endoscopy, barium swallow) met with him again in October and was fortunate to be approved and have my sugery in January.  I didn't require a pre-operative liquid diet, so they were able to schedule me slightly sooner than some.  Otherwise I believe I would have been looking at the month of March.   I healed very quickly after being home. 

Being an out of towner myself I understand how hard it is to get to these appointments in the city. The clinic was very good about booking all my appointments the same day.

My first set of appointments were crazy...I seen Dr Sharma, nurse, dietitian, psychology and participated in the group Occupational Therapy class. That class was a one time thing. I went home with a requisition for blood work, body scan and body composition. I was asked at these fist appointment if I was looking for surgery and at the time I wasn't, I was just looking for answers to why I was obese and having a super hard time loosing any weight no matter what I did.

My second appointment were less stressful cause it was just the nurse, dietitian and psychologist.

Which surgery is best for you is something you have to pretty much research and figure out yourself. The clinic will guide you but you need to know your stuff ahead of time. Once you are approved to see the surgeon for surgery they will review the surgery option and give you the recommendation but in the end it's pretty much up to you. Choose what will suit your lifestyle.


Home work Dreena covered to a T.

Good Luck with your upcoming appointments. You'll do just fine.

Kee.

thanks for the advice.  Glad to hear so many positive things about the WW clinic.  I am looking forward to the weather getting nicer so the drive in will be that much less stressful.

Kee - where are you from? I am just North of Calgary.

Also - is there a specific module you suggest I start with (obviously I did the first one already).


thanks again.

P

I'm about 2.5 hours west of Edmonton.

I didn't take the modules in any certain order I just called and let them know what days I could be in city and then they told me what ones were offered. I thought some of the modules were a waste of time but I loved number 9 on Stress eating and I think there is now a second part considered module 10. Everyone kept telling me about module 8, it's a three part series but I never could get into it so Dr Sharma said it didn't matter cause I was having surgery anyway with or with out it.

Kee.