Anyone From The Red Deer Area?

Thank you for the encouragement Sheilapinkney.   At least now I know it is OK to be still waiting and all is still on schedule.  Were you able to weigh in at a Calgary location at all so you didn't have to drive all the way to Red Deer on bad roads in the winter months? 

You are welcome.  It is a long process, but well worth it in the end.

Unfortunately, there is no way around having to make the journey once a  month for the weigh ins and follow ups.  Everytime I had to go, over the winter was the day it decided to snow.  Luckily the roads just had drifting snow on them and were not covered and slippery. 

Now that I have had my surgery, I will have my first post op appt on Sept 6, then 3 months later, then 6 months later, then 1 year later.  If all goes well at that point, I will be released back to my family doctor.  So I have maybe 4 more appointments left.  Yay!

Hang in there, I know it is frustrating, but if you have not heard back from the doctor *****ferred you saying your referral didn't get in, you are probably going to hear from them regarding an appointment.

Sheila

Hello. I work in Red Deer and live just outside of the city.  I am at the beginning of this journey and tomorrow I will be trying to get my doctor to give me a referral.  I am nervous to talk to him tomorrow but the support I have been given from people on this website has really helped me figure out what to say to my doctor.  I am hoping to get an appointment and I am nervous yet excited for the future. 

The presurgery weight loss scares me because i have defeated myself so many times.  For the month of June I tried eating small meals, measuring food and counting calories and I found that I was hungry all the time.  I don't know how to do it presurgery without feeling lightheaded and shaky.

Hi there Mel,

I lost just over 100 pounds prior to surgery. It took me a year and a lot of support and advice from the Weight Wise Clinic in Edmonton. But I did it... !!! (then I got terrified that it would all come back, so I pushed to do the surgery so I didn't have to worry so much) I know that I can 'eat' through the surgery, but with my determination, it won't ever get that far again.

But loosing weight, prior to surgery CAN be done. Set small, little goals, keep a food journal and be RUTHLESS about every single calorie that goes into your mouth. Be accountable to someone or even your journal.... Accountability is what really helped me...

When I was loosing (prior to surgery) I had teenagers at home and all their friends coming and going.... I HAD to remove any and all junk food from my cupboards. No junk food was allowed to be in my cupboards. I finally relented a little, and allowed once per week for junk food.... but once it came into the house, I didn't want to see it. EVER... so the kids and hubby would enjoy it on the weekend and then there was none.... it worked so well... they were not to EVER 'share' with me... and they didn't even offer... (I love them )

It worked so well, that it's a practice that we've kept. I buy it, bring it home and NEVER see it again... lol..

Melody

Hi Melody,

That is great. You must have been proud to lose 100 pounds.  I lost 50 on my own before trying meridia and I was so happy...sadly feeling depressed made me gain it all back.  I am an emotional eater.

Thanks for the advice.  My boyfriend and his sons eat a lot of junk and I just end up going right along with them.  i just need some self control. I know i can do it but each time I try, I fear that I will fail.  Three years ago before I met my partner I went a year without junk, processed and frozen foods.  That is when I lost the 50 pounds.  I felt so great. I would watch work out shows and go on my elliptical machine.  But then I got out of that routine and got pulled back into my bad habits. I need to pull myself out again.

Thank you for the advice on journaling what I eat.  Any advice on controlling the feeling of lightheadedness or feeling shaky?  I feel that way even when I eat well. I have been tested for diabetes and thankfully I do not have it.

Thank you again for the great advice!

Mel

What works for me for the shakes (low blood sugar) is making sure I keep my protein and fibre high (|I aim for at least 75 grams of protein and 30 of fibre)and eating every 3-3.5 hours. I don't do well at all on the traditional 3 squares a day, and protein and fibre keep your blood sugar steady. It's a lot easier to stay on track calorie-wise if you watch those 2 things.

Hi Kelly,

Thank you for the suggestion. I appreciate it and I'll try it out.  I have high hopes that I will get a call for my first appointment soon and when I start the one cup diet I don't want to be out of it at work.

Thanks,

Mel