Just getting started questions.

Hi my name is Scot I am really close to turning 40, married father of three girls. I live in northern AB way out in the boonies. I have been fat my whole life but I have always managed to get along until five years ago. Since then I have had knee surgery on both knees, gall bladder removal, high cholesterol and who knows what else is in store for me at my current weight.

I need a major overhaul in my life. I know WLS is what I have been looking for to get my life back. I have lost lots of weight several times in the past only to regain it all back. I feel that weight loss surgery is my last resort because I have all but given up on trying to lose the weight.  I am here mainly for information, friendship and support.

My doc tried to get the ball rolling for WLS a year ago. Paperwork got lost or someones dog ate the referral I don't know. I was re referred a while back and just saw a nutritionist/dietician for the first time two weeks ago. I am supposed to see her once a month.

What are the steps to weight loss surgery and what can I do to get myself through the steps as rapidly as possible?

I am a total newbie on the way the system works. I recall my doc saying six months with a dietician then I would move to the next step. I am not really sure what steps are after that or how long it will take until surgery. What types of WLS are available in Alberta and do I get to choose which one I can get?

I would have done a search for my questions but I couldn't find one.

Welcome

Well first the program is very different depending on the Dr. you have been sent to.  My Dr. only required one meeting with the dietician and does not provide follow up care.  I had mine done in Medicine Hat.    Some clinics require that you attend classes and some require you loose a certain amount of weight as well as weightloss maintnance before you can have the surgery.

You can have an open RNY, where they make the incision from breast bone to belly button then make a stomic pouch.  They can also do this through laperscopy.  I had the open as it lessoned my wait time.

I am not sure what other types your Dr. will do.  Each Dr. kind of has a particalar preference.  Some do a VSG which is where they make your stomic look more tube like and does not re route your intestine as is done in the RNY.

I would first find out where you are being reffered as that will some what limit your options.

 Could you tell us where you are going? Is it the weight wise clinic in Edmonton? This way, we can give you more specific information. 
(I have experience with both Edmonton and Red Deer and they are very different)

Hi Scott,

Welcome!

If you're in Northern Alberta, I think there is only one program/clinic you could be referred to. The Weight Wise Clinic at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. (I don't think there are any doctors north of Edmonton doing WLS)

The weight wise clinic is one of the BEST places. They don't automatically send you for WL surgery just because you want it... you have to go through the program, which is personalized to exactly what you will need. They will design the program to you and your issues. They want to create a healthy YOU.... not just a thinner you...

Once you have been referred, they will tell you to do the modules. (Learning classes to help you change your eating patterns and help you discover why you're big). These modules are the first step in changing your life.

Then you will see a nurse, dietician, psych, Occupational therapists, etc. Any health professional you need to see to be a healthier you.

You will be asked to loose at least 10% of your excess body weight before they will schedule you to see the surgeon. All of your health professionals need to agree that you're ready for surgery.

If you are determined to have WL  surgery. There are three types that are done in Alberta, VSG or the Sleeve, RNY or Gastric Bypass, or the Lap Band. Do your research on all three types and ask as many questions as you can. There are lots of people here to help with your answers.

That's basically the program overview. It's individualized and customized especially for you.

We'll help you all we can. We all come from a Heavy past and moving to a Healthy future.

Melody

Hi Scott, I am also in Northern Alberta way out in the boonies! I am 13 days post op from having the verical sleeve! I am 30 and have been suffering for 15 yrs with my weight, I currently have 130 lbs to loss. I ended up going to Tijuana for the surgery and had a amazing experience there and do not regret it at all. I have had to and will continue to do a lot of research and homework on my health and habits. I have attended courses at the hospital for support!

I recall my dietician saying that she will refer me to weight wise after a certian amount of time with her. I will get more details my next appointment. 

Weight Wise is an amazing process, but with my health I did not have the time to wait so I was a self pay.  THere are alot of options out there and if you need more info let me know.

Good Luck

I just went for my second appt with my dietician.this afternoon. She was very pleased with my progress. She wants to get me reffered into WW asap and help me with doing the modules to try and move things along faster if that is possible. She said to have my doc refer me and write a note stating how much it would benefit me and my health long term.

Any more info on WW would be appreciated.

it took me 14 months from when i started in the clinic to my surgery date. they do give you the option of which surgery you would like. i went for the bypass, i firgured if i was going this far i may as well go the distance. it is kinda a pain to do the modules that are expected. try to book as many as you can on consecutive days. you can do, if they have them 3 in a day. morning, afternoon and evening. the chateu louie is the best place to stay. ask for their corpartate rate, very reasonable. you do get lots of information at the modules. i figured if i could do one thing i learned, it was a bonus.  i'm sure you can start the modules without a referal.  try calling 1-877-414-2665, pretty sure this is the number. i think the harder you try in the program and the more you need the surgery, the quicker you will get approved. the dude in the hospital with me had only started the whole process about 8 months ago. seems like a long process but hey, look how fast the past year went