May/11 Referral to Dr. Farries's Clinic.

My experience is my referral went in on May 3 2010.  My first initial consultation was on November 30 2010.  It took 7 months for me to be seen.  It is hard to wait, I know, but this is their process.   I am still waiting for my surgery and have been told I am in the queue for August.  But I am crossing all my fingers and toes that I will have it sooner than that.  If not, I will do my utmost to be patient and use the time to continue losing weight.

I can't speak for how they do things in their office, but I am the referrals coordinator in the clinic I work for.  When we talk to people we give them a timeline that is longer than it really will be because honestly, it is hard to tell when a new patient will get an appointment.  It make the patient feel better if they have some sort of idea of when they will be seen.  If they are making plans for a holiday or what-not!  Again, I do not know if they follow a practice like in their office but it is something to think about. 

I hope this info helped a little.

Sheila

Thanks for the reply Sheila.
I think for me and probably others, its an exciting and scary decision, and once we make the decision for surgery, you just want to get it done! Like Yesterday!
I get kinda anxious not knowing when I will get an appt, and if im even a good candidate for the surgery.

I think I could wait easier if I had a date set. Even if its up to a year, at least its something I can look forward to.It took me awhile to gain all this weight and it will take me a awhile to take it off! LOL
Myself and others on the referral list will have to wait our turn like everybody else did. Thats Life!
 
So since your consultation have you been on the diet this whole time and have to stay on it till August?
1 cup of food 3x a day Sounds hard to do. I admire all you people who are on it. I know for me it will be hard.
Its comforting to hear from others about their experiances, thats for sure!

Keep us updated!

Newmom,

Well, I am in the same boat as you.  Even though I have had my consultation and follow ups, I am still waiting for surgery.  And I agree, once the decision has been made to go forward and have this surgery, you just want it over with so you can get on with living your new life.  The best advice I can give is, until you go to that first appointment, live your life as though you have never heard of Dr. Farries or this surgery.  And then once you have had the appointment, then you can worry about the dieting and losing weight and all the tests you have to go through. 

To answer your question, yes I have been on the diet since my first consultation.  I was there at 8am on November 30 and the moment I left the office, I was on my new diet.  Now that is not to say I have not cheated or followed it to the letter, but since November 30 I have lost right at 50 pounds and about 20 inches.  And that is with little or no exercise.  I did take a belly dancing class that I loved, and once I have had surgery and have been cleared I am going to go back.  I am also going to take Zumba water aerobics.  I am not much for the gym, but once I lose more weight, I might try it again.
My goal weight for the day I have surgery is 250 pounds and I am 1.2 pounds away from that.  So maybe by the time I actually have surgery I will be even less than that.  That would be way cool.

Anyway, good luck in your journey.  And if you have any more questions feel free to email me at [email protected]

Sheila 

Thanks Sheila - You're very encouraging!
I hope you get in for surgery in August too.
Keep in touch!

The cup of food sounds worse than it is, use a dessert plate and it will fill it up. 

I made it on the cup of food, now since surgery I can only eat half a cup. Then i'm full.

They are moving the program over to the Red Deer hospital. I am suppose to have a three month check up at the end of June but was told that someone from there will set a appt up.

Have patience and it will work out. I'm donw 81 lbs now. thats since Nov 1/2010

Hello
I just wanted you to know that there is a possibility to get in sooner. I was referred in February 2011, had my first meeting with Christine and Dr Garry (Dr Farries office) in March, and now I have my second weigh in next week (end of May). I have also got my scope done, blood work done, and I am booked for my psych evaluation at the end of June. I was available when there was a cancellation.

Thanks everyone for all the tips and advice! I really mean it! I don't feel so alone after reading everyones experiances.
I will definately start sharing my WLS as it happens too.

I called the office today and found out i'm #167 out of 200.  They told me my first consultation appointment could be anywhere from the fall of this year to mid January next year.  I had figured near xmas time, so i was pretty close.  of course, sooner is better than later.

I am anxious and can't wait to start my new life with a new body, that's all i know.  i've tried everything, as i'm sure we all have, but to no avail.  it was under my doctor's recommendation that i have this done.

good luck to everyone and awesome work at the weight loss for those who already had the surgery.