New to the Forum

Hello.

I am new to the forum. I came here to look for answers and to be able to discuss my issues with those sympathetic to my condition.

I have tried everything and I feel I have exhausted all methods...excercise, dieting and even the drug Meridia ****il it was banned).  I lost 50 pounds and only went down a dress size which sadly I have gained back due to stress eating.  I have struggled with my weight since puberty.  I am thirty years old.

I am at my breaking point and I have made an appointment with my doctor to discuss other weight loss methods. 

I want to talk to my doctor about having weight loss surgery but I don't know how to go about it. 

If I want to get this surgery in Alberta is the first step talking to my family doctor?
What is the normal wait time to get into a weight loss surgery clinic?

I am in the Red Deer area and I see that there is a surgery clinic here.  Is there anyone out there from Red Deer that has had the surgery and could give me some advice?

Thank you very much. :)  It is very hard for me to talk about my weight. I usually break down in tears so I hope this forum will help me open up and change.  Thank you again.

I am not from Red Deer, I am from Calgary.  But I had my VSG surgery on July 27, 2011 in Red Deer with Dr. Farries.

You need to get a referral in to be seen by him.  I will give you the bariatric cllinic's phone number so you can call and ask questions.  403-356-4200.

Good Luck!

Sheila

Thank You. Wow you had surgery recently.How are you feeling? How long ago did you get your referral? I hope you don't mind me asking you questions. Thank you

I am feeling pretty good.  I am now on full liquids which helps with the energry levels, but usually around 7pm I start to get tired out. 

My referral took from May 2010 to November 2010 before I was seen for the first time. 

Any more questions, email me: [email protected]

Sheila

I also have had surgery done in Red Deer. The good news is that there are now 3 doctors preforming the surgeries in red deer, which hopefully means there will be shorter wait times coming in the future.
When i had to discuss this with my family doctor, i didnt ask, i told him what i wanted. Lots of family doctors dont have a clue when it comes to bariatric surgery so if you call the clinic and get all your needed info first then you can inform your doctor as to what he/she needs to do. Tell you doctor you want a referral put in at the bariatric clinic with Dr Farries, Dr Gregg or Dr Menezes and dont let him try to bully  you out of your decision. Its in your hands...... good luck!!!

It is great to know that two more doctors are going to be doing surgery with Dr Farries. It looks like he only takes referrals once a year in May.  I really hope that it will change soon. 

Thanks for the advice about seeing my doctor. I like that approach of telling my doctor rather than asking.  I am really hoping he will be supportive and helpful.  He knows that I have tried for years to properly lose weight.

Thank you.

Hi,

I am also new to the forum and am waiting for my sleeve surgery on August 24, 2011 with Dr. Farries in Red Deer.  The process takes time and isn' easy at times with the 1 cup meal and recording all your food in your journal.  But I am so excited about the next steps for me.

Ensure to have good support from your family and friends.  It makes it easier.

Count down is on....


 

If you might be interested in self pay, I can assist you..Private message me for the information

Thank  you to everyone who has replied to my message. I really appreciate all the advice and information. It really has helped me and it is nice to talk to people who know how I feel because my family and friends, though supportive, they don't completely understand what I go through everyday.  Thank you.

Welcome to the board and I wish you every possible success in your journey.

I know you are from the Red Deer area, but it might be worth your while to have a referral sent to the Weight Wise Clinic in Edmonton and to Dr. Nohr in Medicine Hat too. The wait for any of the programs can be lengthy but why not cover your bases and take advantage of all the surgical options available in Alberta.

If you have any questions about the path you are on, feel free to contact me anytime!